As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, professionals are spending more time in virtual meetings than ever before. While modern technology makes virtual meetings easy to access, your work is not done there. A recent article for Forbes offers fifteen tips for holding successful virtual meetings.
The expert tips can be categorized not the following areas:
- Technology – Make sure that you are investing in a virtual meetings platform that covers all of your needs. You want a tool that is user-friendly, free of bugs, and able to easily handle the maximum number of participants that you require at your meetings. On the user end of the technology experience, make sure to encourage all participants to consider what lighting and audio technology they need to successfully participate in virtual meetings.
- Time Use – Meetings can be draining—virtual meetings even more so. In order to avoid burnout, make sure you are using your time as efficiently as possible. Tips in this area include making sure you include the right people at each meeting, having an agenda, and keeping meetings relatively short. Keep in mind that you should use your meeting time to discuss, brainstorm, and collaborate—other items can likely be addressed over email or in one-on-one conversations.
- Interaction – As much as possible, encourage participants to be involved and interactive at your virtual meetings. Consider developing a flow for asking and answering questions that keeps the meeting moving. Keep in mind that sometimes the best method is to break your larger meeting into smaller discussion groups in order to stimulate interaction.
- Preparation – Taking the time to prepare in advance for any meetings you host is a major key to success. Take the time before your meeting to consider any questions or concerns that might arise and develop a response for them. Additionally, the host of the meeting should always “arrive” at least five minutes early to make sure that everything is working smoothly and welcome attendees as they arrive.
- Manage Expectations – Setting realistic expectations for your virtual meetings is important. Your participants should know in advance what the meeting is going to cover and what their responsibilities as attendees are. Additionally, you should create a set of virtual meeting etiquette tips to govern how your organization or department conducts this type of meeting.
For further details, click here to read the article in full at Forbes.
