As workplaces are becoming more flexible remote business meetings are becoming the norm. The geographical freedom to work from anywhere in the world has opened up the workforce to a greater pool of talent than ever before, which includes those who may not be able to travel to work due to physical limitations or family obligations.
However, there are issues when working remotely that could cause disengagement, frustration and ultimately a lack of productivity. Meetings can last for a long time because of scheduling issues or time zone variations, or technical issues. It is often difficult for employees to focus on their work after a long meeting.
To ensure that your remote meeting goes smoothly, you need to choose the right tools, and adhere to proper etiquette. This includes using video to view everyone in the room, and following the proper protocol for meetings, including keeping on time, not answering emails in a remote meeting, and avoid distractions like texting or multi-tasking. It’s essential to send a summary to attendees to help them keep track of actions and next actions.
It’s also crucial to establish rapport with remote employees and make sure that they feel valued. This can be done by beginning every remote meeting with some friendly small talk such as asking employees what they’re up to and what they’ve been up to in their lives. This is especially effective for those who are new to the job and who feel lonely or read what he said unconnected when working remotely.