What do you do if your virtual consulting meetings are unproductive?

As a Tech Consultant, setting clear objectives is key to making virtual meetings count. Think of it as drawing a map before hitting the road. For example, if you're discussing a new app feature, your goal might be to decide on its design and functionality. Ask everyone to share their thoughts beforehand, like what they hope to achieve from the discussion. This way, you're all on the same page from the start, making the meeting more effective and less likely to go off track. Keep it simple: clear goals make for smoother meetings!

Eu tenho uma metodologia para a consultoria, assim, eu já deixo claro como vai funcionar e a necessidade da participa??o do contratante. Desde o 1o dia, todas as entregas já est?o claras e a entrada de novas coisas no escopo é comum, porém também é combinado.

In my experience, virtual meetings can be as dynamic and productive as in-person meetings if we follow the rules of effective communication, and efficiently use technological applications. A virtual meeting should also have an interactive purpose to ensure that participants actively network. It is important to highlight that whoever coordinates the meeting must know their audience to reduce communication barriers.

All consultants know this - the tools you select shape the effectiveness of your meetings. It's like assembling a toolbox for a project - each tool serves a specific purpose. For example, if you're discussing software development, platforms like Jira or Trello excel at task tracking and project management. Ensure your chosen tools cater to diverse devices and operating systems, preventing compatibility hiccups. Prioritize user-friendly options; complexity can hinder productivity. Test your tools beforehand to preempt any technical glitches. Remember, the goal is seamless collaboration, so pick tools that facilitate rather than complicate.

I've found this helpful: ??Start and end meetings on time to respect everyone's schedule. ??Use collaboration tools like Slack or Teams for real-time communication without interrupting the flow of the meeting. ??Encourage active participation by prompting all attendees to share their insights. ??Clarify technical terms and avoid jargon to ensure everyone understands the discussion. ??Maintain a structured and respectful environment to foster meaningful collaboration.

From my experience, continuous evaluation and improvement are paramount for enhancing virtual consulting meetings. Solicit feedback from participants and conduct self-assessments to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses. Beyond feedback, analyze meeting metrics like participation rates or agenda adherence. Compare outcomes with initial goals to gauge success. Implement tools like post-meeting surveys or analytics platforms to track progress over time. Remember, the goal is not just to learn from mistakes but to consistently refine your approach for better outcomes.

Meeting structure is so important. It will facilitate how you manage tasks and provide clarity for projects. Leaders must ensure that theirs are appropriately structured according to the needs of their team. Ask onself: What is the purpose of the meeting? Does this meeting need to occur or could the information be disseminated in another manner? Is everyone here that needs to be? Is anyone here that doesn't need to be? What message do we want to get across? Is everyone prepared? If any of your answers to those questions provides an answer that you did not expect, reassess your structure, purpose, and delivery. It's okay to adapt and evolve. Don't host meetings just for the purpose of stating that your team met...

Keep it as simple as possible. If your client is not confortable with new tools, use only what she knows. Present new practices to achieve new milestone. As a consultant, I know that sometime the employee doesn′t want to participate, but show them that you are there to help and that you are not an enemy.