Online meetings remove a lot of the planning and administrative faff that often comes with in-person meetings. This allows attendees to focus on the task at hand, rather than getting caught up in the meeting’s logistics.
Remember to turn off your notifications and practice proper virtual meeting etiquette, such as muting when not speaking. These small steps will ensure your next meeting is a success.
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1. Cost-effectiveness
Unlike physical meetings, online meetings are much cheaper to organize. There are no venue costs involved and attendees can attend from anywhere as long as they have access to an Internet connection.
This makes virtual meetings cost-effective for both the company and its employees. It also helps to avoid travel costs for remote employees which is beneficial for companies trying to cut down on expenses.
Additionally, participants can also access documents and other resources needed for the meeting from their computers without having to print them out, which saves even more money. While there are some disadvantages to online meetings, such as lack of body language cues and distractions, they can be made more productive with the right approach. For example, having an engaging online meeting that encourages participation is key.
2. Flexibility
Online meetings allow participants to join from wherever they are in the world – home, a cabin on a lake, or a coffee shop (provided it’s quiet). This means that meeting times can be adjusted and attendees won’t have to rush off from work or plan their commute around a meeting.
However, it’s important to remember that the lack of facial expressions in a video conference can cause some misinterpretation, and there is a risk of disconnection during a meeting. Nevertheless, the flexibility of online meetings is something that many employees appreciate and look forward to in their workplaces. This is because it enables them to get their work done without any unnecessary distractions. In the long run, that helps boost productivity and efficiency in a company.
3. Accessibility
Online meetings enable attendees to listen, ask questions and participate without the distractions of a physical meeting. As a result, virtual meetings are more accessible for people with disabilities.
Attendees can join meetings from wherever they are in the world, which increases participation for those with limited mobility, childcare responsibilities, financial restraints and more. Meetings can be broadcast to mobile devices, laptops and desktop computers so that attendees can join on their preferred device.
Additionally, free automatic closed captioning functions on Zoom and other platforms allow hard of hearing attendees to read the text of a speaker’s words in real-time. This makes meetings more accessible to deaf and blind people. For some, this is a game changer. In some cases, it can make meetings more effective.
4. Collaboration
Virtual meetings have the power to bridge gaps between business employees and higher-ups, even if they are not in the same room. They offer real-time point-to-point communication without interruptions or confusion.
The best online meeting platforms also allow for meetings to be recorded and transcribed, which maximizes the productivity of every session. This is a huge advantage for people who prefer to take notes or need to review information later.
To make online meetings as productive and engaging as possible, try to avoid distractions like checking emails or scrolling Twitter. Additionally, try to stay focused on the agenda and if discussions veer off into unproductive topics, politely remind participants of the agenda items to cover. Lastly, provide high-quality HD audio and video to ensure participants can see and hear everyone clearly.
5. Efficiency
Online meetings are an important part of virtual communication, and they can be conducted anywhere at any time. It’s also possible to communicate with people in other countries through this method.
Attendees can work during an online meeting and can even share their screens. They can also collaborate with each other in the same way as they would in a physical meeting.
However, there are some drawbacks to online meetings. It’s hard to convey body language and emotion via the screen, so there is a risk of miscommunication. And since people can easily get distracted, it’s essential to have a clear purpose for the meeting. This will help people remain focused and engaged. Also, too many online meetings can cause fatigue among employees who are saturated with exclusive digital contact.