Manners, or etiquettes, as they are more often known, are adaptable and may be used in various situations. This is true in the case of virtual meeting etiquette. Working from home is now the norm. Virtual meetings are an excellent method to communicate remotely with prospects, clients, employees, and team members. Online video meetings and face-to-face meetings have distinct distinctions. As a result, online meeting etiquette differs from traditional business etiquette in specific ways.
Six important virtual meeting etiquette:
Every professional should be aware of the following six ground rules for virtual meetings:
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Test the setup:
The purpose of virtual meetings is to listen to and see each other. If one of the options fails, the objective of holding online meetings is defeated. Double-checking the internet connection is operating correctly is necessary. Before using Zoom or Skype, people may test their microphone and video.
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Mute by default:
Make sure to allow settings like mute by default when joining for audio and video, whether it’s a huge group meeting or a meeting with only a couple of people. This will allow the person to glance around and assess their environment for distracting noises and visuals. When their turn comes to talk or when it is necessary, people should unmute the audio. It is an essential virtual etiquette to follow during the entire online meeting.
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Keep hands off the keyboard:
It does not look good when someone is presenting a subject, and many individuals begin typing on their keyboards to take notes or complete other duties. To have dialogues that inspire more ideas, meetings necessitate everyone to be more aware and mentally present in the discussion.
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Don’t multitask:
Multitasking isn’t possible in every situation. Meetings need everyone’s full attention and alertness, and everyone’s time should be used so that they may provide their best thoughts, views, and perspectives. Participants should follow this virtual meeting etiquette and ensure they’re not distracted by duties unrelated to the meeting.
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Be appropriately dressed:
Working from home does not require employees to dress as if they are heading to the office, but depending on their roles, they should dress professionally in meetings depending on their roles. If it’s a client meeting or an internal team meeting with someone from higher up, it’s best to dress semi-professionally at the very least.
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Clear background:
Always go for a location with an essential solid-color backdrop, such as a wall, rather than one with plenty of stuff in the background. Anyone attending should not be distracted by what is going on in the background, and this will enable others to concentrate on the speaker’s face and understand what they’re saying.
Conclusion:
The trend of online meetings will continue to increase, and it will soon become an everyday aspect of our jobs. Individuals should, however, observe basic etiquette and adhere to ground rules in the same way they would at any other meeting. A business may be conducted more effectively and profitably if all parties know virtual meeting etiquette. By following these virtual meeting rules, everyone can be more productive and engaged during meetings.
