Remote meetings are an important aspect of collaboration, especially for teams with multiple locations. However, they can be less efficient than meetings in person if you don’t follow the proper manners of meeting. Fortunately, many of the same methods that help make meetings more productive and fun in person can be used in virtual meetings. Here are 13 tips to run effective remote meetings, from members of the Forbes Coaches Council:
1. Use an agenda.
Start the meeting by establishing an agenda to keep it on track and avoid getting caught in conversational nonsense. If possible, create the agenda ahead of time, with the https://boardmeetingonline.net/how-powerful-data-room-ma-may-be/ input of attendees, and then present it at the beginning of the meeting.
2. Encourage everyone to speak out.
Some people aren’t keen to join online meetings because they fear taking over the conversation or getting interrupted. To counter this, consider using a specialized conference call microphone and camera. This will help to block out background noises and make everyone’s voice heard equally. Always ask questions or comments at the end of the meeting to ensure that everyone can be heard.
3. Make sure you focus on action items and follow-up.
A lot of meetings end with a vague list of actions and no clear follow-up plan. To prevent this from happening, you must decide how actions will be documented and followed-up at the start of the meeting, and then review them at the end of the meeting. You can also schedule one-on-one follow-up meetings or another team meeting within a realistic timeline.