The future of work is remote — meaning a continuation of digital meetings. Collaboration tools may be user-friendly but learning to effectively lead a meeting in a digital environment requires a new way of thinking and preparing. Insight virtual training experts Michele Snead and Jill Blasey-Ciociola prepared this presentation to help employees, teachers and coaches conduct more effective virtual meetings.

1. The Human Side of
Working From Home

2. Webinar vs Collaboration
One-to-many
A presenter speaking to an audience.
One-directional
Audience is restricted in their ability to respond.
Minimal engagement
Shared documents, breakout sessions, private chat
A webinar is…

3. Presented By:
Insight
Digital Innovation
Transformation Services

4. Why “The Human Side of Working From Home?”
• Insight has been teaching
remotely for many years.
• We train companies to teach
remotely.
• Remote tools are one
consideration.
• Communicating with an
adult audience
• How to be effective remotely

5. Agenda
01
02
03
Part One
What stays the same and what changes?
Part two
10 best practices for working remotely
Part three
What it takes to work remotely

6. Director, Performance Consulting
michele.snead@insight.com
Michele Snead
Sr. Performance Consultant
jill.blasey-ciociola@insight.com
Jill Blasey-Ciociola
Presenters

7. What stays the same, and what changes?
Despite the changes, your goals remain the same.

8. What stays
the same?
Most leadership and management skills
are transferable to online.
• Communication
• Education
• Monitoring job performance
• Coordination
• Planning

9. What stays
the same?
The same considerations and
techniques apply to your audience.
• Audience centered
“What's in it for me?”
• Setting audience expectations
• Questioning techniques
• Importance of using first names
• Presentation of material
“Tell, Show, Do, Review”

10. • Loss of non-verbal communication
• No eye contact or spontaneous interaction
• Increase in technical challenges
What
changes?

11. In a face-to-face meeting, we can tell if
others are comprehending through facial
expressions, body language and interaction.
All of these can become subtle or invisible in
a virtual meeting.
Changes need to be made to compensate.
What
changes?

12. A layer of technology is added that can create
roadblocks, distractions and issues.
Running a meeting and collaboration tools can
be like simultaneously patting your head while
rubbing your stomach.
What
changes?

13. 10 Best Practices
How to be effective in a virtual environment

14. • Be prepared.
• Arrive early.
• Start on time.
• Greet attendees.
• Stay on track.
• End on time.
01
Follow protocol
Best Practices

15. Have a support person
Designate someone to assist with
managing the tools and handling
technical difficulties or other issues.
02
Best Practices

16. Establish a group identity
Introductions and expectations
Making introductions and setting
expectations are very important.
Use names
Using names is the best way to
connect with each other.
Use video
Enable eye contact and connections
through facial expressions.
03
Best Practices

17. Master collaboration tools
Learn to use your tools and practice.
Prepare beforehand to be able to share
what you need digitally.
Replace whiteboards and handouts
with PowerPoint and PDFs.
Replace verbal responses with polls
and chats.
04
Best Practices

18. Master collaboration tools
Learn to overcommunicate and call
attention to key points.
Know how to recognize responses
(they might be on chat) and give
opportunities to speak.
04
Best Practices

19. Establish ground rules
Stop interruptions to class flow.
• No checking emails.
• No private chats.
• Audio only or video?
Phone etiquette
• Mute cellphones.
• Keep phones out of sight.
05
Best Practices

20. State objectives
Set expectations.
• Provide structure.
• Establish common goals.
What not to expect
• Sets the parameters
Refer back to objectives.
• Stay on the same page.
• Assess comprehension.
Best Practices
06

21. Suspend spelling/grammar
Emphasize the value of sharing.
Emphasize the value of providing feedback.
There are no stupid questions.
Easier to use digital technology
Presenter maintains credibility.
07
Best Practices

22. Promote interaction
Ask open-ended questions.
Be direct and non-threatening.
Use polling features to keep audience
engaged and gather feedback.
Use the group chat feature for “quick draw”
responses to questions.
Allow people to interject their own
personalities.
08
Best Practices

23. Promote interaction
Don't assume your audience
is homogenous.
Not all employees possess the same level of
technical proficiency.
People’s comfort level with communicating
varies widely.
Provide opportunities for interaction; ask
questions, call people by name, use polls.
08
Best Practices

24. Keep on track
Review the objectives up front.
Don’t get sidetracked or pulled off
the agenda; table conversations
for another time.
Have an end time and stick to it.
09
Best Practices

25. Communicate effectively
Cannot rely on:
• Eye contact
• Facial expressions
• Body language
Verbal and written communication only
• Speak clearly and slowly.
• Give clear directions.
• Eliminate slang and sarcasm.
10
Best Practices

26. Communicate effectively
Meet the needs of the audience
• Speak directions.
• Use written directions.
• They “see” through your words.
Allow time to review before moving forward.
• Tell them what.
• Tell them why.
• Tell them how.
10
Best Practices

27. What it takes to work online
Having the right tools and the right mindset

28. Do’s and Don’ts
Do conduct a thorough equipment check before the session.
• Don’t assume that everything is in working order when the entire class logs on.
• Always do a quick run-through of your classroom setup (computers, cameras, software, etc.)
15 minutes before the class starts.
Don't assume your students have everything under control.
Have attendees perform a simple browser and software compatibility check before logging in.
Do have a contingency plan in place.
Be ready to call in or have someone else take over in case of a technical or connection issue.

29. What it takes
to work online
• Be hands-on – get them using the tools
• A non-threatening environment – questions
are welcome
• Practice – be confident in using digital tools
• Be organized – have materials and a game plan
• Check in with the audience – are they still following?
• Be receptive to criticism – check your ego

30. Considerations
for an adult
audience
• Adults bring considerable experience with them.
• Adults have something to lose.
• Adults want to focus on real-life problems.
• Adults are restless if they feel they are wasting time.

31. Considerations
for an adult
audience
• Adults wants to know what there is to gain.
• Adults must see that they are making progress.
• Adults are practical.
• Adults are accustomed to being active.

32. What makes a
good online
leader?
• Enthusiasm
• Flexibility
• Sense of humor
• Willingness to learn new technologies
• Willingness to create interactivity
• Willingness to practice and rehearse

33. What makes a
good online
leader?
Know your audience and speak to them directly.
Define prerequisites so that everyone is
prepared.
Don’t be derailed by the squeaky wheel.
Be prepared; no time to be searching.

34. Questions?