Virtual Meetings eLearning Bundle Course

Virtual introductions are an important part of business etiquette. It's important to be mindful of the medium you're using, as well as how you present yourself and others. For example, when introducing someone over video conference or phone call, it’s important, to begin with their name and title. When introducing two people who don't know each other, it’s best to provide some context for why they're connecting. After introductions have been made, it's polite to wait until everyone has arrived before beginning the conversation. This shows respect to those who have made the effort to join on time. If someone arrives late to a virtual introduction, be sure to acknowledge them and express appreciation for their participation. Following these guidelines can help ensure virtual introductions are professional and organized, creating a positive first impression.

Leading a virtual meeting can be challenging, but by taking the time to plan and prepare, you can ensure your meetings are successful.

To begin, focus on shifting your mindset from in-person meetings to leading a virtual meeting. This means considering how technology will facilitate communication and collaboration with participants as well as making sure everyone can effectively communicate and contribute.

Next, develop Leader Meeting Guidelines that will help you stay on track and ensure your meetings are productive. This can include setting clear expectations for participants such as having them arrive on time, being prepared with materials they may need, or having their video camera turned on so they’re easily seen during the meeting.

As you hold virtual meetings, be sure to stay mindful of the expectations and guidelines you’ve set. Doing so will help ensure the meeting is on track and productive, delivering the desired results.

After each meeting, take time to assess its effectiveness. Ask yourself questions such as: Was everyone able to effectively contribute? Did everyone stay focused on the topics at hand? Is there anything I can do to improve my approach and better facilitate participants in future meetings?

By leading virtual meetings with planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement, you can ensure that your meetings are successful in delivering results.

When leading teams remotely, it is important to ensure that everyone understands the objectives of the meeting and is engaged in the conversation. To start a remote meeting on the right foot, here are some best practices:

1. Start with an agenda for the meeting to guide discussions and help keep everyone on track. Make sure each item has a clear purpose and an assigned owner.

2. Introduce background information on the topics to be discussed so everyone is on the same page.

3. Use visuals, such as slides or whiteboards, to help illustrate points and trigger attention during conversations.

4. Assign roles and responsibilities for each meeting participant beforehand, such as note taker or timekeeper.

5. Encourage participation from all team members, especially those who may be more introverted or less vocal. Make sure everyone feels heard and respected in the conversation.

6. Monitor engagement throughout the meeting to ensure that everyone is involved in the conversation and no one person dominates the discussion.

7. Provide items whenever relevant and set goals for the next meeting to ensure everyone working towards a common objective.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that remote meetings are as productive and effective as possible. This will help your team stay connected and on task even when they’re not in the same physical space.

Online meeting etiquette is a set of unwritten rules and expectations for how to conduct yourself during an online meeting. This may include anything from using technology correctly, to avoiding distractions and being respectful to the other participants or facilitator. It helps ensure that everyone involved in the virtual meeting has a pleasant experience, enabling them to effectively communicate their ideas and collaborate to reach a common goal. By following good online meeting etiquette, you can help foster an environment of trust and respect in your virtual meetings.

Some key tips for good online meeting etiquette include:

Be punctual – arrive a few minutes early to make sure that you have set up the technology correctly and are ready to start on time.

Dress appropriately – although it is not necessary to be wearing a full suit, it is important to look presentable and dress in a way that is for the meeting.

Make sure you have read necessary documents, taken notes, and made clear any objectives beforehand so that everyone is on the same page during the meeting.

Mute your microphone when not speaking – background noises of dogs barking, children playing or cars passing can be distracting, so make sure your microphone is on mute when you are not talking.

Stay focused – it may be tempting to check emails or social media during the meeting but this will mean that you lose focus and miss important information.

Communicate clearly – try to avoid speaking over each other as this can become confusing. Also, use the chat feature to ask questions or make comments during the meeting rather than interrupting someone who is speaking.

By following these online meeting etiquette tips, you can help create a productive and positive environment for all participants in your virtual meetings. This will enable everyone to effectively collaborate towards reaching their goals and make sure that the meeting is a success.

A: If you are wondering what Telecommuting skills are important to learn, we've written a Telecommuting Skills and Learning Guide that maps out Telecommuting skills that are key to master and which of our courses teaches each skill.

Read Our Telecommuting Skills and Learning Guide

A: When it comes to training employees about remote work, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, it's important to ensure that everyone understands the basics of working remotely. This includes things like communication protocols, setting up a home office, and staying productive while away from the traditional workplace.

Once the basics are covered, you can then move on to more specific training topics. For example, you might want to provide training on how to use specific remote work tools or how to stay connected with team members when working from different locations.

No matter what type of training you provide, the most important thing is to make sure that your employees feel prepared and comfortable with the transition to remote work. By taking the time to properly train your team, you can set them up for success in this new way of working.

A: There are a variety of skills that are beneficial for remote work. Some of the most important skills include:

Top Remote Worker Skills

-Time management: Being able to manage your time effectively is crucial when working remotely. This means being able to stay focused and avoid distractions.

-Organizational skills: Keeping yourself organized is also key when working from home. This includes staying on top of deadlines, maintaining a tidy workspace, and knowing where to find things when you need them.

-Communication skills: Since you’ll be communicating mostly through email, chat, and video conferencing, it’s important to have strong communication skills. This includes being clear and concise in your writing, and being able to articulate your thoughts verbally.

-Tech skills: Depending on the nature of your work, you may need to be proficient in certain technologies. For example, if you’re working as a web developer, you’ll need to know how to code. Or if you’re working in customer service, you should know how to use the company’s CRM software.

-Flexibility: One of the great things about working remotely is that you can often set your own hours. However, this also means being flexible and accommodating when clients or team members need to reach you outside of traditional business hours.

These are just a few of the skills that are important for remote work. If you have these skills, you’ll be well-equipped to succeed in a remote job.

A: There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the terms telecommuting and teleworking. Here's a look at the key differences between the two:

Telecommuting generally refers to working from home, whereas teleworking can refer to working from any location other than the office.

Telecommuting usually implies a more flexible arrangement, where employees can choose their own hours and work from any location they desire. Teleworking, on the other hand, is often a structured arrangement set up by employers, with specific hours and locations required.

Telecommuting is often used as an alternative to traditional office work, whereas teleworking is often used in addition to office work (for example, employees may telework one or two days a week, in addition to coming into the office the rest of the week).

So, what is the difference between telecommuting and teleworking? In short, telecommuting is usually more flexible, while teleworking is often more structured.

Telecommuting Blogs

• Remote.com Remote Working Blog
• We Work Remotely Blog

Telecommuting User Groups

• Home Office & Telecommuting group - Meetup

Telecommuting Online Forums

• Remote Work - Reddit