A virtual disaster..

We've probably all now been on some form of video conference over the last few months..

The pandemic has accelerated usage of 'virtual' meetings, so we're now all experts..

Or maybe not!

Many of our meetings have been excellent and the same as being there in person, almost. There have been a few virtual car crashes though:)

Some guidelines for virtual meetings:

1.      Be present – turn off all other computer applications especially email - bleeps and notifications distract all of us not just you.

2.      Phones - put your phones on silent and have them off the desk unless you feel it’s really necessary

3.      Be patient – some will take longer to adapt to this way of working and some find it easier than others. 

4.      Make human connections:Young children, pictures, personal context and animals almost become part of the meeting during lockdown - after lockdown personal prompts are still a good way of relationship building and forming a human connection.  

5.      Get comfortable – have you got a decent chair to sit in? Are you in as private a space as you can find given you are at home?

6.      Shine your light - If possible, try to face into light, rather than have back lighting so we can all see each other – reading facial expressions is even more vital in a virtual setting. Don't be that person in a dark cave!

7.      First names help – ahead of a question – use the name of the person you are asking as it helps with the flow.

8.      Tech equipment – make sure you have a decent webcam and headset or Airpods etc.

9.      Connection issues?

a.   check how others in your home are using the broadband. If there’s a lot of other usage / streaming going on, then that may affect you. Check internet speeds with speedtest.net

b.   cordless headsets can be an issue – sometimes worth trying another set that actually plugs in.

c.   try turning your camera off for a bit – can help with more stable audio connection

d.   Turn off all Apps you are not using on your computer as they may not only be a distraction, but they can use bandwidth.

In the new normal, maybe we'll be slower to jump in our cars to go to a meeting and be more inclined to use all this technology we have available.

We are! On that note, we're offering a number of short FREE CPD webinars on Professional Indemnity and the current market.

Please message me f you are interested.

Go well.

Zahid

[email protected]