With companies increasingly opting for remote and hybrid working models, online meetings have become an integral part of business operations today. In fact, more than 74% of employees agree that they are less likely to switch companies if they are provided with an option of remote working. However, despite the benefits of remote working, many companies find it challenging to maintain the productivity of their employees.
Online meeting platforms offer various features like event gamification, live interactions, and Q&A sessions to make the event more engaging and interactive. Yet lack of planning, inadequate meeting platform, slow internet and poor meeting etiquettes can affect the online meeting’s efficiency. If you want to host online meetings that are highly productive, here are top four tips to help you.
- Set a Clear Meeting Agenda
Lack of output and miscommunication are two major challenges that team leaders often face during online meetings. A meeting with unclear objectives is never productive and wastes valuable time.
That is why it is essential to set clear agendas before the meeting. The team leader must prepare a formal meeting agenda document in advance and share it with attendees before it starts. The agenda must include the issues or topics to be discussed during the meeting. It is also recommended that roles are assigned and responsibilities are delegated so that the concerned team members can prepare if they need to present anything in the meeting. It will give them a heads up, and time to prepare for the presentation. Circulate the agenda a day before the meeting and ensure everyone has received and acknowledged it.
- Use the Right Online Meeting Platform
Due to the rising acceptance and popularity of remote work, numerous online meeting platforms have emerged. With every platform promising virtual means of communication and modes to achieve the meeting’s objectives, it is challenging to choose the right platform for your company.
However, you must choose a platform that enables you to host productive online meetings. The best online meeting platforms have various features like live interactions, Q&As, and polls to engage attendees. It should also enable the organizer to draw valuable insights from the meeting to determine the productivity and participation of the attendees. On top of that, the software must have provisions to protect your business data from breaches and illegitimate access.
- Assign a Moderator
Without the right guidance, the meeting can go in different directions. That’s why it’s essential to appoint a meeting moderator who can keep the meeting on track. The moderator has the privileges to control the proceeding of meetings and keep team members focused. The moderator permits speaking or presenting during the meeting. They also help deal with technical problems caused by poor internet connection or login problems.
- Follow Online Meeting Etiquette
Unlike in-person meetings, virtual meetings have certain challenges. It can be tough to maintain productivity and conduct errorless communication between peers. Fortunately, online meeting etiquettes help to maintain the decorum of the meeting while boosting productivity.
Some common online meeting etiquette are:
- Mute your microphone when you are not talking.
- Keep your phones on silent, and do not check the phone during the meeting.
- Dress appropriately.
- Attend the meeting in a well-lit and noise-free environment.
- Do not eat food during the meeting.
- Know the meeting agenda.
- Check your audio, video before the meeting.
- Get well-versed with meeting software.
Make sure you follow these rules during all your online meetings. Every company that offers remote work must invest in a good online meeting platform. After all, it’s the primary point of contact for the team. A good online meeting platform allows seamless connectivity, data protection, ease of use, and, most importantly, the features to maintain high productivity during and after the meeting.
