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🚀 Navigating the New Normal: Mastering Remote & Onsite Meetings in a Digital-first World 🌏 Last week at the ATP conference, I had the pleasure of joining a Peas-in-the-Pod session led by Zach Irwin M.S., ICE-CCP and Steven Hirsch, which offered rich insights into the evolving dynamics of workplace meetings. Below are my key takeaways and wisdom from the session: 💻 Remote Meetings - Keeping engagement high while mitigating distractions. 1. Advantages: Flexibility, diverse participation, cost savings. 2. Challenges: Distractions, lower engagement. 3. Strategies for Success: ➡  Strong facilitation skills to keep the energy and engagement high. ➡ Schedule optimally across time zones. Avoid early mornings and late nights to maximize participation. ➡ Short, focused sessions to ease Zoom fatigue. ➡ Use asynchronous tools when appropriate to minimize actual meeting time. ➡ Periodically engage all attendees to promote balanced participation. ➡ Leverage the chat feature to encourage quieter participants to contribute and to facilitate the easy exchange of detailed information. 🏢 Onsite Meetings: Reviving the Classics. Although onsite meetings excel in promoting unparalleled engagement and collaboration, they're not without their shifts. The new trend? Meetings are stretching out as participants favor shorter workdays 🕛 🏢 💻 Hybrid Meetings: Best of Both Worlds. Hybrid formats merge the strengths of remote and onsite. Having two facilitators helps ensure equal engagement from all participants. 🌎 Universal Meeting Wisdom: ➡ Begin with neutral icebreakers (e.g., favorite ice cream flavor?) vs. ones that may put participants on the spot (e.g., share something unique about yourself). ➡ Call on the participants by name. Whether remote, onsite, or hybrid, the secret to success in our current era hinges on meticulous planning, adaptability, and the finesse of facilitation. Let’s navigate these changes together, transforming every meeting into a chance for meaningful connection and growth. #RemoteWork #OnsiteMeetings #HybridWorkplace #MeetingTips #PostCovidWork #Leadership #engagement

🕰️ The Meeting Marathon: Balancing Collaboration and Productivity 🕰️ In our quest for seamless collaboration, the practice of sharing everyone's calendars to schedule meetings has become the norm. While it fosters communication, it often transforms our work weeks into a chaotic maze of back-to-back meetings, leaving little room for actual work. The result? Late nights and falling behind on essential tasks. 🚦 The Meeting Traffic Jam: A Productivity Conundrum 🚦 Navigating through a week where every moment is claimed by meetings can be challenging, especially in the era of remote work. Conversations that were once quick cubicle talks have evolved into 30- to 60-minute team calls, intensifying the struggle for focused work. This scenario is not sustainable, whether you're working remotely or in the office. ⚙️ Solutions for a Balanced Workweek: Designate Meeting-Free Blocks: Reserve specific time blocks in your calendar where meetings are off-limits. This allows individuals to dive into focused work without interruption. Prioritize Essential Meetings: Evaluate the necessity of each meeting. If it's not crucial, consider alternative communication channels or asynchronous collaboration to free up valuable time. Implement Shorter, Purposeful Meetings: Opt for shorter, focused meetings with a clear agenda. Efficient communication often trims down the time spent in meetings. Encourage Asynchronous Collaboration: Leverage tools and platforms that enable asynchronous collaboration, giving team members the flexibility to contribute when it suits their schedule. Regularly Review and Adjust: Periodically reassess your meeting culture. Gather feedback and adjust the scheduling practices to strike a balance between collaboration and individual productivity. 🌟 Striking the Right Balance: A Collective Responsibility 🌟 Achieving a harmonious workweek requires a collective effort. As we embrace collaboration, let's also prioritize individual productivity. By implementing thoughtful scheduling practices and embracing a culture that values focused work, we can ensure that our teams not only meet but exceed their goals without burning the midnight oil. How do you maintain a balance between meetings and focused work in your remote work setup? Share your insights below! 👇 #RemoteWork #Productivity #WorkplaceBalance #Collaboration

This topic comes up in discussions I’m in almost everyday - “How do we make sure our teams stay connected while we have some working remotely and some in office?” 5 Tips for Creating a More Connected Hybrid Workplace with Digital Workplace Technology: 1. Use Video for Smaller Meetings For meetings with fewer than 10-15 people, make video the norm. It helps build rapport and keeps everyone more engaged. No need for video while sharing content, unless you’re speaking! 2. Go on Camera When You’re Talking In larger meetings, everyone speaking should have their video on. It helps humanize interactions and allows for better connection across the team. 3. Appoint a Moderator for Hybrid Meetings When some participants are in a conference room and others online, assign a moderator to focus on the virtual attendees. They should watch for raised hands, chat comments and people trying to break into the discussion. 4. Create Clear Communication Guidelines Establish norms for when and how to use various digital tools—email, chat, video calls, etc. Consistency helps everyone stay aligned and reduces misunderstandings. 5. Utilize Breakout Rooms and Polls When hosting virtual or hybrid meetings, use features like breakout rooms or polls to encourage participation and keep the discussion flowing. Get comfortable with the technology and foster engagement. This deliberate hybrid workplace doesn’t just happen by chance—it requires effort and the right digital tools. How are you creating a connected workplace? #HybridWork #DigitalWorkplace #EmployeeEngagement #Leadership #Teamwork

A recent survey has revealed that nearly three quarters of British professionals believe virtual meetings hinder their productivity, raising concerns about “virtual burnout.” More than half of the professionals surveyed reported that virtual meetings “regularly” interrupt their working day, preventing them from completing their tasks. A significant portion of respondents, 25%, said they have five or more online meetings daily, while a third reported up to four. With each meeting averaging around 30 minutes, employees could be losing as much as two and a half hours of their working day to video calls. Are virtual meetings hindering your productivity? Share your comments below. 👇 ”https://lnkd.in/eJrKk2-a #Workplace #Virtualmeetings #Productivity

Who interrupts most frequently, and who gets interrupted most often in hybrid meetings? Hint: It's not mostly about gender, race, or participant location "...when the person dialing in is junior to those in the physical room, 94% of the attempts to interrupt them are effective. But when the person dialing in is the most senior, only 16% of the attempts work." Fascinating article summarizing insights from recent research about meeting interrupters well worth the few minutes it will take you to read. H/T to Joe Allen for sharing. #virtualmeetings #hybridmeetings #interruptions #powerdifferential

💡 Hybrid Meetings Reimagined: Building Genuine Connections in a Digital World! 💡 Picture this: A dozen executives catching up and joking around a conference table while 20 colleagues on Zoom/Teams feel left out, and those dialled in can only hear clanking coffee cups. When the meeting starts, remote participants struggle with poor camera angles and muted microphones. Sound familiar? Welcome to the hybrid meeting, our new reality in the post-pandemic world. Here are some suggestions for running more effective meetings: 🔹 Don't Go In Cold: Preparation is key. Plan an agenda that includes everyone, make sure the tech works, and set clear expectations. Know where your participants are located and their time zones to create a better connection. 🔹 Balance the Ratio: Avoid overly large guest lists. Too many remote or in-person attendees can make it hard to keep everyone engaged. Aim for a balanced mix. 🔹 Get Everyone Involved: Keep remote participants engaged with polls, votes, and specific tasks. Make sure they feel included by involving them in every other question. 🔹 Double Up Facilitation: Use two facilitators—one for those in the room and one for remote participants. This ensures everyone's voice is heard and the meeting flows smoothly. 🔹 Purposeful Breakout Sessions: Design breakout sessions thoughtfully. Use digital collaboration tools and make sure remote participants are actively involved. Running effective hybrid meetings is crucial for business success moving forward. By using these strategies, you can boost collaboration, engagement, and productivity in your hybrid meetings. Ready to take on the hybrid meeting challenge? Share your experiences and tips below! 👇✨ #leadership #hybridwork Capital Assignments Pallo Mobo Anne Clift Kirsten Mitchell

More than half of the employees surveyed reported that virtual meetings “regularly” interrupt their working day. This prevents them from completing tasks and maintaining a good and healthy workflow.💪 With all of us mainly being online, this makes so much sense, and it shows us that virtual burnout is a huge thing. This article dives into why meetings should be kept short and only hosted when needed.👌 So make sure to check it out and enjoy the read!⤵️ https://buff.ly/4biYVeg #business #workfromhome #meetings #productivity

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂. In the Harvard Business Review article, No, Remote Employees Aren’t Becoming Less Engaged, Andrew Brodsky and Mike Tolliver explore how employee engagement and meetings have evolved through and after the pandemic. Here are some key insights: • 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: There were 60% more remote meetings per employee in 2022 compared to 2020, increasing from 5 to 8 meetings. • 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Since 2020, the length of remote meetings has decreased by 25%, from 43 minutes to 33 minutes. • 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: The average number of participants per meeting dropped from 20 to 10 between 2020 and 2022. • 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: In 2020, 17% of one-on-one meetings were unscheduled; this rose to 66% in 2022. • 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀: Employees who left had 67% fewer spontaneous meetings, 22% fewer scheduled meetings, and 20% fewer group meetings leading up to their departure. In a related Harvard Business Review article, Hybrid Work Has Changed Meetings Forever, Mike Tolliver and Jonathan Sass discuss how meeting engagement and participation correlate to employee retention. Here are some key insights: • 𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 77.6% of meetings were face-to-face. • 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: Employees attended an average of 8.3 meetings per week in 2021, 10.32 in 2022, and 10.1 in 2023. • 𝗡𝗼-𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: 7.2% in 2023, up from 4.8% in 2022. No-participation is defined as staying muted and not engaging during meetings. • 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: No-participation rates are 9.6% for those who leave versus 7.1% for those who stay. • 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗨𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲: Increased meeting fatigue correlates with more disabled cameras, impacting employee retention. Workers who leave their jobs have their cameras on only 18.4% of the time, compared to 32.5% for those who stay. To address these issues, it's essential to treat meeting culture as a crucial part of company culture. Reducing unnecessary meetings and fostering engagement can improve productivity and employee satisfaction. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀: • Encourage active participation in online meetings. • Reduce unnecessary meetings. • Foster a culture of engagement to improve employee retention. • Monitor meeting participation as an indicator of employee satisfaction and potential turnover. 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀: • Hybrid Work Has Changed Meetings Forever - Erica Volini and Beth Schwarting, Harvard Business Review: https://lnkd.in/gUxK3CHR • No, Remote Employees Aren’t Becoming Less Engaged - Andrew Brodsky and Mike Tolliver, Harvard Business Review: https://lnkd.in/g4YuBH57

A reflection about the value of in-person relationships. In the era of hybrid work, characterized by an increasing use of virtual tools and remote working methods, the question of whether in-person relationships and meetings between team members still retain their importance is increasingly important to me. In particular, the question arises whether traditional business travel can bring added value to project execution and whether face-to-face meetings can generate concrete benefits. A little analysis on virtual vs. virtual efficiency. human connection. The convenience, accessibility and cost savings associated with virtual communication represent a strong point of remote working. However, the value of human connection cannot and should not be underestimated. Informal conversations in the corridors, coffee and lunch breaks, improvised brainstorming sessions at the desk, are moments that often generate real magic. They improve trust, consolidate relationships and can give life to innovative ideas that are difficult to replicate in a rigidly structured virtual environment. So are business trips also an investment in collaboration or a useless waste? The same principle for me applies to business trips, which allow you to meet, work and exchange ideas with people in different cities or countries. My personal experience has led me to believe that reincorporating traditional meetings and travel into professional life is critical for better team synergy. There are not only a few advantages of face-to-face interactions and if we wanted to list some of the main ones they could be: 1. creation of stronger bonds and relationships that go beyond the workplace. 2. complete knowledge of colleagues, not only in relation to the specific project, but also in terms of skills and personality. 3. greater collaboration, curiosity and identification with colleagues' work environment 4. an increase in cohesion and cooperation within the team. In-person relationships are not a luxury, but a strategic investment for the success of any team. The combination of virtual tools and face-to-face interactions represents the key to getting the most out of the collaboration and creativity of the working group and this benefits both the project we are working on now and future ones. #businesstrip #inpersonmeetings #humanrelations #face2facemeetings #face2face #reflections

Hybrid meetings - how to make them better. Hybrid meetings are something than many of us deal with in an ongoing fashion. Personally, I have at least two recurring weekly meetings that involve people joining in from home, from other work locations, and then a big group that are together in a conference room. So often, people are still trying to conduct meetings by the "old" rules and they just don't work that well now (in many cases they did not work that well in the first place!). Here are some tips from The McChrystal Group that should be helpful to you. If you follow the link below to the full article it also contains a good video on how to improve your hybrid meetings. Some of their tips: 1. Use Chat 2. Provide guidance on sound discipline 3. Speak at 75% speed and others. The bottom line is that by establishing a few good practices in your meeting rules of engagement for hybrid meetings they will become much more productive. https://lnkd.in/e2-ufR2b Marie LaLonde Mike Hooks Dr. Ray Grubbs #meetings #hybrid #hybridmeetings #rulesofengagement Meg Smith Jordan Berry Brian Gansauer