Virtual meetings face many of the same challenges as in-person meetings — however, they are also prone to distractions and technical obstacles. Luckily, you are able to organize effective virtual meetings by following some simple meeting etiquette.
An agenda is essential to running virtual meetings on time, and for keeping participants engaged throughout the session. You can also encourage participation by asking open-ended questions, requesting feedback and assigning roles to take notes or record next steps.
Test any software or hardware you might require prior to presenting. Be sure to arrive at the right time to ensure that you have enough time to address any technical issues that could occur prior to the scheduled start time.
It’s difficult to read the body language or feelings when you’re unable to see the participants. So, you should try to make eye-contact with everyone, or ask them to do it. Also, you should choose an area that is quiet and free of distractions so that you can focus on the meeting. You can turn off your microphone if you’re not talking.
If you’re a moderator be the one to ask for feedback from participants at the https://boardroomkitchen.com/providing-administrative-support-for-effective-meetings/ end of the session. This can help identify areas for improvement as well as giving participants a clear understanding of how their input was valued. In the final two minutes of a meeting it’s also a good idea to provide a brief overview of the next steps, and to keep track of any action items that were assigned.