The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the world in a matter of months. The need for social distancing and isolation has made companies shift to a virtual model. Virtual meetings and conferences are replacing traditional modes of conducting meetings. Companies that can transform into the virtual space will come out on top. For first-timers, holding meetings virtually may seem difficult and complicated. A major complication of holding meetings in a virtual manner is replicating the office culture. Additionally, many employees may not be familiar with the technology. Our marketing experts have compiled a list of tips that will help you make the most of virtual meetings.

Identify Objectives

The 1st step to holding effective online meetings is to identify and outline the goals. Like physical meetings, virtual meetings should have a well-defined agenda and objectives. The manager should identify a facilitator who can drive the meeting. This is important as online meetings often result in people talking together. A facilitator can ensure that everybody can speak in a civilized manner and the meeting can be concluded successfully. A fixed time must be set for the meeting and employees should adhere by the timing. Participants should avoid delaying the meeting by joining late.

Avoid Unnecessary Meetings

During the coronavirus crisis, the need of the hour is to focus on safeguarding the business. Wasting time holding unnecessary meetings isn’t a good idea. Companies should avoid holding update meetings, in particular. Replace update meetings with a common memo or google sheet which can be updated on a daily basis. Before planning on virtual conferencing, you must first answer the question, “can the meeting be done over email?” If the answer is yes, cancel the meeting and send an email. Holding meetings can be a waste of time if they do not serve a necessary purpose. Also, too many meetings can hamper employee productivity and motivation to work.

Understand The Technology

A common problem during virtual conferencing is the lack of knowledge about the virtual technology. Most participants do not know the ins and outs of the software. Meeting participants waste extensive time in setting up and joining the meeting. Thus, a certain amount of time should go into training the employees. Additionally, the virtual meeting software should also be set up properly before every meeting, to avoid any technical glitches during the meeting. In the case of important meetings, trial audio and video checks can be conducted. This will help in running the meetings in a smooth and objectives-oriented manner.

The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world. With businesses incurring losses and shutting down, it’s important to grow in a rapid way. Companies must embrace the latest trends and incorporate the same. Virtual meetings and virtual conferencing can help brands make the most of these difficult times. This technology can ensure that your team continues working in an effective manner. As a result, you can guarantee rising profits and revenues.

Have your marketing activities taken a hit due to COVID-19? Read on to know how you can evolve your marketing strategy during the coronavirus crisis.