Remote meetings are a key part of collaboration, especially for teams with distributed members. If you don’t follow the correct meeting etiquette it can be less productive than meetings in person. Fortunately, many of these same strategies that can make meetings productive and entertaining in person can be applied to virtual meetings. Here are 13 tips from Forbes Coaches Council members on how to run an effective remote meeting
1. Use an agenda.
To avoid getting lost in the conversation, start your meeting with an organized agenda. If you can, develop an agenda that incorporates input from the attendees and then present it at first.
2. Encourage http://www.boardmeetingonline.net/what-is-board-reporting-software/ everyone to speak out.
Some people are hesitant to participate in online meetings due to the fear of overtaking the conversation or being interrupted. Consider using a conference call camera and microphone that remove background noises and amplify everyone’s voice equally. Make sure to ask questions or comments at end of the meeting to ensure that everyone is heard.
3. Focus on action items, and follow-up.
Meetings usually end with vague action items and no clear plan for follow-up. To combat this, decide how actions will be documented and followed-up at the start of the meeting, and then review them at the conclusion of the meeting. It’s also an excellent idea to schedule follow-up one-on-one meetings or a different team meeting within a reasonable timeframe.