Anu’s tips for an effective online meeting
1 – Start 5-10 minutes after the hour, finish at least 5 min before the hour.
Most online meetings start later because attendants are looking for a link, or struggling with the audio. If you announce the meeting on 9h10 and open the waiting room already 10 minutes before, everyone has the chance to leave the previous meeting and be present on time. Moreover, the early birds will not mind waiting for the meeting to start on time.
2 – Limit the core of the meeting to 31 minutes.
In real-life meetings, the attention span is between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on the dynamics. Behind the camera, attendants seem to be stuck in their chair, and some even forget to breathe deeply. That’s why the online span of attention is only half an hour. Stimulate them to switch their position. Add a little physical exercise – and see what happens.
3 – Increase the participation.
Many small things get the attention going. Welcome the participants in the waiting room. Let someone tell a funny story. Add dynamics during the meeting. Switch speakers and roles. Ask questions, and introduce a little poll to increase the interactivity. Use Flxion to get everyone on the same page, and get an agreement on tasks at the end of the meeting.