We love to hate meetings, especially virtual meetings. Probably with good reason.
Here are 25 tips for online meetings (and the workflows around them) with zero extra fluff.
1. Edit the system-generated meeting invite to include meeting-relevant information
2. Let people know in advance that they’ll be on camera
3. Include a link to a time zone converter
4. Teach presenters only what they need to know
5. Know what attendees are seeing so you can help guide their experience
6. Save time by scheduling recurring meetings
7. Teach attendees how to mute/unmute themselves
8. Let participants know you’re recording
9. Design the “user experience” of your meeting with mobile users in mind
10. Save meeting chat digitally to save re-typing notes
11. Turn features on and off to keep participants focused
12. Pause your screen to avoid sharing private information
13. Use chat to share a hot (web) link
14. Verbally instruct people how to use a tool or feature
15. Keep presentation or speaking segments shorter than in-person
16. Ask people explicitly to avoid multitasking
17. Use speaking indicators to call on people by name
18. Change your display name to how you want people to refer to you
19. Use a Word document (or equivalent) as an editable working agenda
20. Adjust gestures and expressions for the camera’s eye
21. Be aware of what’s behind you to avoid distracting participants
22. Collaborate on a single document by sharing keyboard/mouse control
23. Use USB headsets instead of computer microphone and speakers
24. Know the system requirements for the meeting recording
25. Combine the follow up email with an invitation for the next meeting
Curious about why we'd make some of these recommendations? Give us a ring. Seriously.
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Curious about how the above apply in your technical environment? Or how to execute in your team or organizational setting? Give us a shout. We consult and train, too.