Setting A Successful Video Conference

Setting a successful video conference

As the scope of global work increases and the number of remote workers continues to increase, video conferencing is rapidly becoming a key skill for business people. Our research shows that 40% of the world's employees are using video conferencing, the proportion in China has risen to 61%, and in Mexico it has risen to 60%. But making a successful video conference is not just about turning on your camera.

Testing your microphone: First check your settings. For most video conferencing software, you can test to make sure your microphone and camera work properly. After the meeting starts, place your finger on the microphone button. Ideally, when you are not talking, you want to mute the microphone, because background noise may cause interference, but when you want to respond to speakers, be prepared to unmute immediately.

Setting your space: A low-angle shot can be very annoying, not to mention distractions from other participants. You should also choose a light-filled space for your call so that other participants can see you clearly. If the weather is fine, you may need to open the curtains and turn on the side lights to avoid glare.

Keep focused: During long phone calls, you can easily check emails or catch up with work, but the visual elements of video conferencing do not give you the same room. Make sure you are in a place where there is no distraction - you are unlikely to miss this important thing. If your home office is noisy, you can book a meeting room at your local Regus office.

Although it may be tempting to look at your image during a call, you should try to keep your eyes on the camera - especially when speaking. This will create hallucinations. You are looking for participants in your eyes. If you look anywhere else on the screen, it's as if you're staring at the side (even if you're completely focused on the presentation).

Participate and participate: If you are in a video conference, please follow the training session that you personally attended. Call the participants by name and ask them questions to make sure they are listening and continue to look at the camera. Don't simply read the slides (your participants can use Powerpoint files to do it themselves). If you are a participant in a conference call, please agree and don't be afraid to jump into the problem. When you do this, remember to unmute your microphone and introduce yourself before the camera ("Hey, this is [Name], I just want to know...").

By following the same principles and professionalism as face-to-face board meetings, your videoconferencing skills will increase rapidly.