Remember when people used to sit in small conference rooms and talk to each other in person? Well, neither do we, but things have changed and it might be a while until it goes back to how they used to be. Whether we want it or not – online meetings are here to stay, so why not make it a little bit easier and let’s discuss code of conduct for online meetings.
The silence of the… meeting
It’s okay if you’re great at multitasking and can do your washing WHILE working, but let’s be honest – no one wants to hear your washing machine in the background. Or dishwasher. Or vacuum. So if all those things can wait, better do it after the meeting. The same applies for Netflix. That ‘one-last-episode’ will have to wait till after.
Do you know this annoying echo sound that happens when someone doesn’t mute their microphone? Well, to avoid such a faux pax, best to just plug your headphones. That way not only you’ll spare people the unworldly sounds, but also you yourself will hear better! A typical win-win situation.
Get comfortable
No, we do not mean getting even more pillows for your bed, while you hold your laptop on your lap. More like… get comfortable with being presentable again. Bring out your comfiest chair, clean up your desk and set up your laptop. Little pro tip? Put a thick book underneath your laptop, so that the camera has a better angle, as well as you slouch a little bit less, while at the meeting.
And as much as we all realize that sweatpants and hoodies ARE the most comfortable attire known to mankind, why not try a little bit harder? Give your old work clothes a try, you might feel a difference not only with your looks, but also on the inside.
Be like Aretha
As Frankiln sang once; R-E-S-P-E-C-T. So what exactly does respect mean in an online meeting? The rule is quite simple (and also applicable to life!) -do not do unto others what you would not want done to yourself.
Speaking when other people are blatantly doing something else? You would never!
Holding a presentation while all the cameras are switched off, so that you don’t know if people are even watching? Your camera is always up and running during meetings!
People leaving the meeting halfway through? You will be the last one standing!
Having snacks during the meeting? Well, your food delivery is perfectly timed with the end of the meeting, so that’s not an option!
Tool Tip
Test your microphone and camera if joining a meetings on a new tool. When using Vidlogs, you can see if your microphone is working or not using a sound indicator on the top right hand corner of your image that indicates if sound is being received. If problems persist, usually joining the meeting again helps the browser acquire your microphone and camera. And if you are the host, don’t forget to announce in the meeting if you are going to use the mute all
Keep holdin’ on
We all had some time to get used to the so-called ‘new normal’, but rather than hold our breaths and wait for a quick fix, it might be best to make the best out of the situation we are currently in. To make our lives just a little bit easier. After all, we’re all in this together.
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