Helpful Tips for Effective Virtual Meeting

With COVID -19 lock down, we all have learnt one thing, i.e. Stay connected while maintaining distance.

Virtual meeting / online business meeting falls on this list. The virtual interaction is going to be a permanent feature in our professional life.

It is therefore imperative that we get ourselves some of the video meeting etiquette/norms/dos & don'ts, which would be helpful when connected.

1) Before the meeting - Prepare your self

o Turn on the video camera and preview what will be seen by others when the meeting starts. Check things around you and behind you. It does not give a good impression when piles of dirty cloth, unmade bed, cluttered home/office space, stained paper, dirty plates etc. are visible on your screen.

o Check the lighting on your face with the camera trial. A dark, gloomy, not visible face does not give a good impression. Facing a window allows the light to come on the face or a small soft glow behind the computer camera will have a better light effect on the front.

o Before connecting the meeting, it is better other programs are closed.

o If you are not calling in on your telephone for the call, it is always advisable to silence the ringer to avoid any interruption.

2) During Meeting

o Don't be late: It is better to be there a few minutes earlier than connecting while the meeting has already started. Be on time.

o Eye on the camera and not on the screen. With an eye on the screen, the other party does not have the eye to eye contact feeling.

o If not speaking mute your phone

o If not speaking do not type on the keyboard, the sounds disturb the meeting. Secondly, it also gives the impression that you are not part of the meeting

o Mind your voice volume: The other party will appreciate being able to hear you without having to strain their ears or turn their volume up.

o Eating while the meeting is a distraction to the business meeting. No chewing — a cup of coffee or some water is OK, but don't eat on a video call—especially crunchy foods.

o Do not interrupt: This is a standard rule for any discussion, but it becomes very critical for video meeting because there can be lags in audio responsiveness or video streaming which make it unclear when other participants start and stop speaking.

o Be present: when you're multitasking, it's more obvious than you think it is . you are thinking to check your email, finish that text, or Instagram, not a good idea to do so. You could miss out on crucial information, and it is apparent that you aren't paying attention.

Video conferencing / virtual meeting/work from home is probably here to stay, and it is advisable we take care of small things for productive use.

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