TEN TOP TIPS: Effective online meetings
1
Being present and seeing each other is an important part of keeping
connected. Don’t hide away or do other work during the meeting.
EMBRACE VIDEO CALLING
2
This will give better sound quality. Speak directly into the mic and
remember to mute it when not speaking to limit background noise.
USE HEADSETS OR EARPHONES
3
This will help ensure everyone can understand you. And try to
modulate your voice, to keep people interested and engaged.
SPEAK CLEARLY AND STEADILY
4
Agree a system to give everyone a voice. Arrange ‘hands up’ signals to agree
who speaks next and use chat functions to allow everyone to contribute.
ESTABLISH ETIQUETTE GUIDELINES
5
The chair or presenter should repeat questions they ask to ensure all participants are aware of the original
question. Repeating the question in writing within a chat box could provide additional clarity.
REPEAT THE QUESTION
6
When responding to chat comments, repeat the relevant remarks and make
clear who you’re responding to. Don’t just say ‘yes, Jane that’s right’ – others
may not have seen Jane’s comment and it won’t make sense to them.
USE NAMES AND GIVE CONTEXT
7
Keep to a single thought per slide to help participants understand and focus on
what’s being discussed. It’s better to have more slides with fewer things on them.
KEEP SLIDES SIMPLE
8
Your participants may be joining from a mobile device and wordy slides will
be tough to read. Anchor your presentation on relevant, image-based slides.
KEEP SLIDES VISUAL
9
It’s hard to simply listen online for a long time. Invite participants
to give comments or ask questions, and use tools like chat or polls.
ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS REGULARLY
10
Spell out clearly any actions that need to be taken and by whom.
Summarise meeting takeaways and circulate notes promptly.
BE EXPLICIT ABOUT ACTIONS AND SUMMARISE
For more information and resources visit
cipd.co.uk/coronavirus