THE PANDEMIC-INDUCED INNOVATION OF MEETINGS
September 4, 2020
The pandemic has forced businesses to innovate in many areas. How we hold meetings is one of them.
One could argue that we should have innovated our meetings years ago.
Those of us that didn't take a crash course in technology and learned how to hold productive meetings remotely.
Here are a few things we've learned and observed about how meetings have changed over the course of the pandemic.
THERE'S A BALANCE.
Some meetings can be done more efficiently via technology, but other situations - like critical conversations - are better in-person. It may not work to have all of your meetings virtual or all in-person. Do it in a way that wins for everyone.
HISTORY COUNTS.
If you've worked with someone for a long time, meeting remotely may be an easy transition. If you're meeting with someone you've never met or don't know that well, if might be more challenging to feel connected.
MEETINGS ARE SHORTER.
Virtual meetings tend to be faster and more productive because there are fewer opportunities for small talk and side conversations. The meetings are more focused.
TALENT POOL IS EXPANDED.
If the remote meeting option works well for your business, you could have access to qualified workers from all over the world. On the other side of the coin, other companies could recruit your employees away from you.
CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES.
We don't have a pandemic playbook, so you'll have to figure out the meeting formats that make sense for your business. Maybe your business meetings are conducted virtually, but you engage in person over breakfast, lunch or cocktails. Or maybe you sprinkle in a few in-person meetings each month. You have options to make your virtual or in-person meetings efficient, effective and productive.
How have you innovated your meetings during the pandemic? Share with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!
