May 2023

The Challenges of VIRTUAL MEETINGS By Michael Mezzo, CPA, MBA, WilkinGuttenplan

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T he landscape of the business world has drastically changed in recent years. While many of these changes were a temporary result of COVID-19, it is safe to say that some of these changes are here to stay. Of these, the most prevalent that our industry has seen is the widespread adoption of virtual meetings. Whether it be a closed meeting, annual meeting, elec tion, or vendor proposal approval meeting, it seems that more and more business is being done through the com puter screen. As with all things, we must take the good with the bad. While there are many positive takeaways from virtual meetings, there are some challenges that come with them. Within this article, we will discuss some best practices to help ensure that your virtual meetings go off without a hitch! Some of the most common challenges experienced when utilizing virtual meetings are included below, along with some tips and tricks on how to prevent or deal with these situations.

1. Loss of Efficiency: Many of us are working fully remotely, with limited face to-face interaction throughout the day. An afternoon Zoom call may be the first conversation some of us have with another person all day. This can lead to increased “small talk” which can create an inefficient meeting. What to Do: This is a difficult situation to navigate, as maintaining social relationships while working remotely is essential. Many organizations face the challenge of stay ing on task during virtual meetings, while not discouraging social interactions. It can be a difficult balance to obtain. Recommended solutions to this issue all revolve around planning. Creating a detailed agenda and distributing it to the attendees in advance of the meeting will help to set the progression of the meeting. Don’t be afraid to also include socialization time within the agenda itself! Many meetings that I have attended have included a brief “welcome” within the agenda, which provides attendees with time to catch up and socialize prior to getting down to business. It is also

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