Remote meetings are an integral component of collaboration, particularly for teams that are distributed. If you do not adhere to the proper protocol for meetings, they can be less productive than in-person sessions. Virtual meetings can benefit from a variety of the same methods used for in-person meetings to make them more effective and enjoyable. Here are 13 methods to organize successful remote meetings, from members of Forbes Coaches Council:
1. Use an agenda.
Start the meeting by establishing an agenda that keeps it on track and avoid getting caught in conversational nonsense. If possible, you can create the agenda in advance with feedback from the attendees, and present it at the beginning of the session.
2. Encourage everyone to speak to one another.
A few people are reluctant to participate in online meetings because they fear overtaking the conversation or being interrupted. To counter this, consider using a specialized conference call microphone and camera. This will help to block out background noises and amplify successful remote meetings everyone’s voice equally. You can ask questions or to make comments following the meeting to ensure that everyone is heard.
3. Focus on action items, and follow-up.
Meetings often end with a vague list of actions and no clear follow up plan. To avoid this, establish the way actions will be documented and followed up at the beginning of a meeting, and then review them at the end. It’s also recommended to set up follow-up one-on-one meetings or another team meeting within a reasonable time frame.
