Many businesses are now using virtual meetings as a means of staying connected and productive as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, virtual meetings can be challenging in many ways, from technical issues to lack of engagement. 

To make virtual meetings work, teams need to adopt best practices that can help improve communication, collaboration, and productivity. This article will present some best practices for teams to make virtual meetings work.

Set Clear Objectives and Agendas

One big challenge of virtual meetings is the lack of focus and direction. It is essential to establish specific goals and agendas for each meeting in order to prevent this. 

This will assist everyone in staying on task and concentrating on the meeting’s goal. It is important to share the agenda ahead of time so that attendees can prepare and contribute to the discussion.

Choose the Right Technology

The success of virtual meetings can be greatly affected by the choice of technology. There are many options available, from video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet to collaboration platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. 

Pick a platform that is dependable, simple to use, and equipped with the capabilities required to promote interaction and cooperation.

Test the Technology Beforehand

During virtual meetings, technical difficulties can be a big source of irritation. Testing the technology in advance is crucial to prevent this, especially if it’s a new platform or if participants will be utilizing several devices. 

This will help identify any issues and allow time to fix them before the meeting starts.

Establish Ground Rules

Virtual meetings can be more challenging than in-person meetings when it comes to managing distractions and interruptions. To establish a productive and respectful meeting environment, it is important to establish ground rules. 

This can include rules around muting microphones when not speaking, raising hands to speak, and avoiding multitasking during the meeting.

Encourage Participation

Engagement and participation can be a challenge in virtual meetings, especially if attendees are not used to the format. To encourage participation, it is important to create opportunities for everyone to contribute. 

This can include asking questions, soliciting feedback, and assigning tasks or responsibilities. Furthermore, it’s critical to establish a warm, accepting setting where everyone feels free to express their thoughts and opinions.

Minimize Distractions

Distractions can be a major source of frustration and can hinder productivity during virtual meetings. To minimize distractions, it is important to create a quiet and distraction-free environment. 

This can include closing doors, turning off notifications, and avoiding multitasking during the meeting.

Follow Up and Follow Through

Following up and following through is important for ensuring that virtual meetings are productive and effective. 

This can include sending meeting notes and action items after the meeting, following up on tasks and responsibilities, and scheduling follow-up meetings to track progress and address any issues that arise.

Be Mindful of Time Zones

When working with remote teams across different time zones, it is important to be mindful of everyone’s schedule. This includes scheduling meetings at a time that works for everyone or rotating meeting times to accommodate different time zones. 

Respecting everyone’s time is crucial; therefore, avoid setting up lengthy or pointless meetings.

Incorporate Breaks and Activities

Virtual meetings can be mentally and emotionally draining, especially when they are long or frequent. Schedule breaks and activities into meetings to combat this. 

This can include short breaks to stretch or grab a snack or team-building activities to help build relationships and boost morale. By incorporating breaks and activities, teams can stay engaged and energized throughout the meeting.

Conclusion

Virtual meetings can be challenging, but they can also be productive and effective if teams adopt best practices that can help improve communication, collaboration, and productivity. By implementing these best practices, teams can maintain communication and productivity even amid uncertainty and disruption.

Spice up your virtual meetings and make them more engaging with BreakoutIQ’s virtual meeting icebreakers! Our team-building events are designed to foster collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills. Contact us today to learn more!