The back and do not make effective video conference
Transform these difficult videoconferencing calls in effective collaboration with these expert advice.
With thecoronavirus pandemic The closure of offices around the world, countless companies and individuals reinstate what the work day looks like. However, these changes extend well beyond the negotiating agents for sweats - for many people, this also means a sudden flood of video conferencing calls.
But with many peopleUse of the zoom and other videoconferencing platforms For the first time, simply connect to a meeting and make the most of these video conferences can be two very different things. With the help of experts, we gathered the definitive backs and we do not have things that will help you make every video teleconference disappear without hitch.
Make: Keep the area behind you.
If you do not invite your colleagues in your office without cleaning it first, do not invite them toyour home office When it's something less than neat.
"You want colleagues to see your home office are treated and organized," saysKristen Southall Watts, author ofSolo working day. In addition toClean your space, Watts recommends avoiding a direct line of view at the door and reorganize "your office so that family members who lay will participate in your meeting."
Not: Position your computer under your face.
Maintaining good visual contact is essential for meetings, whether you have them in person or online, make sure your camera is appropriately positioned.
"Everyone has anglanes that look good for them - but no angle of his sound is soil that looks," saysFlynn Zaiger, CEO of the creative digital marketing agencyOnline optimism. Instead, Zaiger recommends raising your computer so that it is slightly above the eye level to facilitate the task of others to see you andkeep your best.
Make: Turn off your notifications.
These notifications entering your devices are not just distracting for you, they distract to all those of your video call.
"You do not need to be informed of each news or new video downloaded when they occur, especially not during your designated work blocks," says Watts, who notes that "every time you examine Quickly your social media flows, you lose a lot of productive time. "
Not: Wait the last minute to complete the technical kinks.
If you want your meeting to work properly, make sure you have tested your software, including your video and audio settings, before starting the call.
"Starting the meeting then the realization of the audio is stirred or the video is ruined causing delays," saysReuben Yonatan, CEO ofGetvoip, which warns that it could even cost you business if it makes customers see you as ineffective. To make sure everything is in the right order, Yonatan first recommends a dry race with a friend who can give you comments.
Make: Build in some stop times between calls.
Even if you meet return meetings, you only have a few minutes of stopping between them can make all the difference in the way you are effective in each.
"After calls and conferences, you will need a few minutes to draw tracking e-mails or texts, organize all the notes you have taken during the meeting and municipal facilities for the next task," says Watts, noting That a lack of preparation time between calls can increase your risk of distraction.
Not: Talk too fast.
Do not let your usual Mile-A-minute speech makes it difficult for your colleagues to understand the point you are trying to get through.
"Do not talk too fast so that those who listen (and look) have trouble understanding yourself," saysDeborah Sweeney, CEO ofMycorporation. If you need to relax with a break, Sweeney recommends smiling at the camera instead of using filling words such as "um" or "uh", which can make you seem unprepared.
Make: Pay attention to the language of the other's body.
Having too many people talk at once can turn into an unintelligible cacophony in a moment. If you want to avoid overlapping a speech, make sure you read the meeting participants.body language Get signals for when it is prudent to talk.
"The usual signs to search are head heads, or mouths starting to open," saysJulian Jost, CEO and co-founder ofSpacebase.
Not: Keep unnecessary open tabs.
If you want to keep your mind focus on the task in hand and avoid any potential embarrassment, make sure all unnecessary tabs are closed or minimized during your meeting.
"You do not want to be caught when someone asks," Can you share your screen and show me? '"SaidShayne Sherman, CEO ofTechloris, which notes that having too many tabs open at once could even affect the quality of your call.
Make: Use your headset.
Your colleagues want to listen - not the sound of your children who play, your bargaining dog or the ambulance passing outside.
"Most portable microphones are really bad and pick up all the little noises," saysJulie BeePresident ofSocial media Beesmart. "The headphones and headphones keep the background noise to a minimum and pick up what you say."
Not: Conference.
If you want the participants of your meeting to remain engaged, try to promote a dialogue instead of delivering a speech.
"Our attention efforts are even shorter today, instead of sitting in front of a computer and talking to those of the call, engage people in conversations," recommends to Bee, who says that this habit maintains also the persons engaged and attentive to the call. .
Make: Use the Mute and Video Off buttons.
You do not need to have your microphone or camera throughout each meeting if you have not been specifically requested to do so.
"If you do not speak, to erupt yourself. If you need to move a lot, get up and take a meeting of the meeting ... Then hide your video and whine you, "suggests the bee.
Not: Rely exclusively on wifi.
Have a backup plan in case your WiFi cuts means that you will not miss an important detail.
"Nothing is worth the performance of the solid-solid network of an old school Ethernet cable," saysJovan Milenkovicco-founder ofKommandotech. Although many laptops do not have Ethernet ports, Milenovic Notes that USB USB adapters are inexpensive and readily available to connect.
Make: Configure the automatic recording.
Instead of frantically trying to take notes at your meeting, configure the automatic recording so you can enjoy a Verbatim newspaper of everything that happened next.
"Zoom allows you to automatically save calls, which may be invaluable to save the customer or team comments on a project," saysDusti Arab, commercial strategist withTHE RENOUNCE CO.
Not: Allow other compatible Internet-friendly devices.
Offering other Internet-based devices around your home before starting your meeting can help you limit delays in your connection and keep your video conferencing calls smoothly.
"Even the best Internet package will only ensure your domestic Internet can maintain long-standing meetings on video conferencing," says Milenkovic, who recommends asking roommates and family members to put games and downloads pending during the duration of your meeting, as far as possible.
Make: Use the discussion function.
There is an easy solution if you want to avoid having everyone talking to each other when it is from Q & B times at the end of a meeting.
"Use the discussion function to indicate that you have a question or statement first instead of the injury," suggestsMatthew Rossco-founder and coo ofThe Sleep Court.
Not: Wear your sweats.
Treat your virtual colleagues with the same respect you will treat them in person and make sure to watch the game for your meeting.
"Try to avoid too much and anything with too many models," suggestsKyle Turk, VP of marketing atLook for keys. Turk adds that even if you think your colleagues will come only shoulders, wear equity to work, it's always a good idea in case you should get up or move.
Make: Have a backup plan.
Have all the connection information applicable for your meeting by hand and you will not miss a beat if your connection is offset.
"Make sure you have a phone number or backup plan in case it does not connect online as expected" suggestsPaige Arnof-Fenn, Founder and CEO of the Global Strategic Marketing SocietyMAVENS & MOGULS.
Not: Use your keyboard.
If you want to take notes during your meeting, draw a notebook at your fingertips instead of typing on your keyboard.
"Whether you take notes or answered emails or team cats, the sound of your typing is distracting," saysMark Strassman, Please and GM of UCC toLogmein. If hand writing notes do not seem an adequate alternative, Strassman suggests using the integrated transcription service available on most videoconferencing platforms.
Make: Activate the hot keys.
Instead of smoking to find your microphone access button, activate the shortcut keys before your meeting so you can easily trick each time.
"Allow Push-to-Talk will ensure that you are not the cause of white noise, echoes and background noise in a group call environment," says Keenan Beavis , founder of MEDIA OF LONGHOUSE , which notes that this feature is available on platforms such as zoom, skype and discord.
Not: Forget to disconnect.
Before moving on to your sweats, you will want to take a last crucial step: put an end to the call.
"[Do not] Leave your guard before you disconnect - the micro / speaker can always be live!" Precautions Arnof-Fenn.