Remote meetings are an important part my response of collaboration, particularly for teams with multiple locations. However, they may not be as effective than in-person meetings if you don’t follow the proper etiquette for meetings. Virtual meetings can benefit from many of the same strategies used to make in-person meetings efficient and engaging. Here are 13 tips from Forbes Coaches Council members on how to organize a successful remote meeting:
1. Use an agenda.
Start the meeting by establishing an agenda to keep the meeting focused and avoid getting lost in conversational waffle. If you can, make an agenda that incorporates input from attendees and then share it first.
2. Encourage everyone to speak up.
Some people are hesitant to participate in online meetings due to the fear of dominating the conversation or being interrupted. To combat this, think about using a conference call with a special microphone and camera. This can help block out background noises and also amplify everyone’s voice equally. Always ask questions or remarks at the end of the meeting to ensure everyone is heard.
3. Prioritize action items and follow-up.
Meetings usually end with a vague list of action items and no clear plan of follow-up. To prevent this from happening, agree on how actions will be documented and followed up at the beginning of the meeting, and review them at the conclusion of the meeting. It’s also an excellent idea to schedule follow-up one-on-1 meetings or another team meeting within a reasonable time frame.