Successful online meetings require adequate training of all participants, not just the leaders or facilitators. Without preparation and active involvement of participants, there would actually be nobody to lead and nothing to facilitate. Management-issues.com published five steps to ensure the preparation of participants to online meetings.
1. Distribute agenda with all the information
Participants need to know more than just the start time of the meeting and login information. It means to specify the purpose and expected outputs of the meeting. Participants should also know what materials they should prepare, what topics are to be discussed and what specifically is expected from them during the meeting.
2. Open the meeting by summarizing expectations
Right at the beginning, you should convince participants that the time spent at the meeting will not be lost. Prepare opening statement summarizing expectations and formulating the roles of participants.
3. Allow participants to familiarize with the chosen communication platform
Do not assume that participants are automatically able to use the platform. Before starting, therefore, check how to control chat and other interactive tools such as hand raising to ask a question with the participants.
4. Ensure accountability of all participants
Participants should know that you expect full attention and participation in discussions from them. If someone does not respond for long time, ask him to engage by a question.
5. Let each participant to lead the meeting for a while
Participants who are also leaders of the meeting must always be prepared. Moreover, they will get a healthy respect for leading meetings.
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