Fundamental Tips, Techniques & Tools for Virtual Zoom Meetings and Presentations_PART 3
TECH SET-UP : How adept & confident are you at using the app ?
1. Know your chosen application very well (Teams, Zoom, Hangouts, Webex)
2. Practice using the application features frequently and know the short-cut keys
3. Always use an ethernet cable if possible (if not, stay very close to router)
4. Check internet speed (Google Speed Test) to ensure call will not cut out / break up
5. Use quality webcam and cables (avoid built-in laptop cam)
6. Use quality external microphone (omnidirectional best / most flexible)
7. If background noise anticipated - use quality headphones
8. Turn off all laptop Calendar / Diary notifications
9. Always test all tech beforehand; the day before, and an hour before (not 5mins before meeting!)
10. Avoid virtual backgrounds, unless done v. well (Professional Green Screen + HD quality). They are often poor quality and a real distraction when your face fades, merges & ‘dissolves’ in/out of the shot !
General: Don’t forget the obvious - avoid easily anticipated interruptions!
11. Check all is well with children, elderly relatives or pets well in advance of your meeting
12. If WFH in busy household – tell / warn every one of your meeting/s
13. If necessary - put a sticky note on your door: “On Zoom Call” or “In Meeting” include Start & End time
14. Turn off any other distractions not needed (phone, TV, Radio, other tech)
15. Have a ‘working-day’ routine, fixed place / spot where you work every day
16. Exercise daily – even if just a short 5-10 mins walk -ideally tech-free- will really help
17. Politely say ‘NO’ to non-critical Zoom meetings! If not possible, build-in at least 30min buffer
And Finally…
Know that we are all living and working at home now. The boundaries are definitely blurred and often confusing - particularly if you live in shared accommodation, have your family around you constantly or don’t have a fixed daily routine.
In reality, even with all the above preparation ‘Life happens’!! So, if you or your meeting colleagues drop the call, can’t be heard, have awful online meeting skills, get interrupted, or have terrible audio or video quality - simply roll with it. Don’t be tone deaf to their situation – you don’t know what else is going on in their life, especially during the pandemic.
The single most important words during this pandemic are Patience and Empathy.
