Since we opened our virtual firm eight years ago, we have learned a thing or two about how to successfully operate and communicate in the virtual world. These days, Zoom meetings have become a fundamental way of getting things done for almost everyone. In the interest of saving you time and boosting your team’s productivity we thought we would share some of the tips and tricks we have learned over the years. Communicating from afar can be frustrating, but with a little preparation and creativity, you can amp up your meetings and inspire your team.
We have compiled the below tips and developed a collection of complimentary backgrounds that we believe reflect the strength, ingenuity, and empathy that have defined the Long-Term Care Industry over the last few months. Our hope is that these quotes and images will encourage and inspire your team and set a positive tone for your internal communications during this complicated time.
SHG’s Top 6 Virtual Meeting Tips
TAKE TIME FOR SMALL TALK:
Open the meeting with a few minutes of friendly banter. Team building is essential for creating strong working relationships, so don’t hesitate to make time for some virtual small talk.
CLEARLY ARTICULATE AGENDAS:
Have an agenda and make sure that roles and responsibilities are clear and defined. Assigning accountability helps with flow and makes for less awkward transitions between topics.
OUTLINE OUTCOMES:
Be crystal clear about the objectives which need to be achieved by the end of the meeting and don’t stray too far off path.
ENGAGE EMPLOYEES:
Here at SHG we have the standard virtual meetings, but we also have virtual happy hours and themed meetings every so often to mix it up and encourage culture building and professional bonding. On occasion we even send our team packages filled with small surprises to get them excited for these events.
PRETTY IT UP:
Virtual meetings have created a window on employees’ personal worlds, from dining rooms and porches to bedrooms and backyards – and let’s face it, our spaces are not always professionally up to par. To combat any spatial deficiencies, we have developed a library of branded virtual backgrounds that our team has access to and can use to make their spaces look as professional as possible or emphasize the theme of the meeting.
KEEP IT CONCISE:
Zoom fatigue is real and can be quite draining. To ensure that your employees are performing at their best, limit the number of virtual meetings per day and keep them as short (and sweet) as possible.
