Remote meetings are an essential part of collaboration, particularly for distributed teams. If you fail to adhere to the correct meeting etiquette and protocol, they could be less effective than in-person sessions. Fortunately, a lot of the same methods that make meetings productive and enjoyable in person can be applied to virtual meetings. Here are 13 tips from Forbes Coaches Council members on how to organize successful remote meetings:
1. Use an agenda.
To avoid getting lost in the conversation, you should begin your meeting with a clear agenda. If possible, create the agenda prior to the meeting with input from attendees, and then present it at beginning of the session.
2. Encourage everyone to speak up.
In online meetings, certain participants may be reluctant to participate because they worry about dominating the discussion or getting interrupted. Consider using a conference call camera and microphone to block out background noises and amplify all voices equally. And always ask for questions or comments at the end of the conference to ensure that everyone is heard.
3. Concentrate on action items and follow up.
Many times, meetings end with vague action items and no clear follow up plan. To avoid this, you must decide the way actions will be documented and followed-up upon at http://www.boardmeetingonline.net/what-is-board-reporting-software the start of a meeting, and then review the outcomes at the conclusion. It’s also good to schedule follow-up individual meetings or a team meeting within a realistic time frame.