Virtual board and remote work meetings are expected to be around for the long haul as the pandemic forces companies to adjust to new working practices. Digital meetings are flexible, allowing attendees to attend the meeting without worrying about quarantine time or travel restrictions. They also lower the cost for flights and hotels.

Online meetings are easy to set up and they have become more frequent in mission-driven organizations that are looking to maintain their communication despite the COVID-19 Crisis. It’s important to know the potential hazards of digital meetings to avoid them and make your online board meetings as effective as possible.

The platform you use to host your virtual or hybrid meetings is of paramount importance. Select a platform which includes the Waiting Room function to safeguard your meeting from attendees who are not authorized and only admit those who are invited by the co-host of the meeting or host. Offer training to your board members so they are familiar with the technology.

Encourage your board members to use a Board Room Mind headset or speakerphone for the duration of the meeting, and to tidy their offices so that it appears camera-ready, free of personal images and other distracting objects. Also remind them to sit in a chair, not on the bed or on their couch, as this will help them look more presentable and professional at the time of the meeting. Additionally, encourage them speak up at the beginning of the meeting so that everyone can be heard and start the meeting in a positive way.