As remote work becomes more popular, it is essential to reduce and manage the number of meetings in a virtual workspace. While meetings are vital for communication, collaboration, and decision-making, having too many meetings can be counterproductive and even damaging to productivity.
The virtual nature of remote work has made running meetings more challenging. Whether you are a team leader, member or self-employed, managing your time and focus online requires discipline and effective communication to avoid distractions and unproductive meetings. In this long-form blog, we will take a deep dive into practical tips and strategies for reducing and managing meetings while working remotely.
Determining if a meeting is necessary
The first step in reducing meetings is to ask yourself if they are necessary. In some cases, a meeting may not be the best way to communicate with your team or colleagues. So, before scheduling a meeting, consider using other communication channels such as email, chat, or a shared document.
Some questions to ask yourself to determine if a meeting is necessary include:
Can the information be shared via email or a shared document?
Can the discussion take place via chat or other instant messaging platforms?
What is the expected outcome of the meeting, and is it necessary to achieve this outcome?
If you can answer these questions without the need for a meeting, then you should avoid scheduling one. It is important to remember that all parties involved have work to do, and unnecessary meetings can waste time and productivity.
Setting clear meeting objectives
It is essential to set clear meeting objectives to ensure that the meeting stays on track and achieves the intended outcome. Before scheduling a meeting, create a concise agenda that outlines the purpose of the meeting, the topics to be discussed, and the expected outcome.
By setting clear meeting objectives, you can reduce the time spent on the meeting, keep the discussion focused, and prevent any tangents. Additionally, when team members know what is expected of them, they can come prepared to the meeting, which can also reduce the meeting’s duration.
Video conferencing tools
Video conferencing tools, such as Zoom or Skype, can be incredibly useful for remote teams, as they provide a visual connection, making it easier to communicate non-verbal cues. In addition, video conferencing tools can provide an environment that mimics in-person meetings, making them more engaging and productive. Using video conferencing tools can also help reduce the number of meetings needed, as it provides a more efficient and effective communication channel.
When using video conferencing tools, make sure to follow best practices:
Be punctual- Just like in-person meetings, remote team members should be punctual.
Test your equipment – Test your internet connection, camera, and microphone before the meeting.
Eliminate background noises – Ensure that you are in a quiet place, so there is no background noise during the meeting.
Use visual aids – Use presentation slides or screen sharing features to convey information effectively.
Encourage participation- Encourage remote team members to speak up during the meeting and participate in the discussion.
Scheduling meetings strategically
Scheduling meetings can be challenging, especially when working with a remote team, and time zones are different. It is crucial to schedule meetings strategically to avoid disrupting work schedules and ensuring everyone can attend.
Consider the following tips when scheduling meetings:
Schedule meetings during shared working hours- Find a timeframe where everyone is available during working hours.
Schedule meetings at intervals that allow team members time to complete their work- Do not schedule meetings back to back, give team members time to complete their assignments.
Use scheduling tools – Take advantage of scheduling tools, such as Doodle or Calendly, to find common meeting times.
Avoid scheduling meetings during lunchtime or dinner- Avoid scheduling meetings during mealtime, it can be distracting while working remotely.
Limit meeting duration
Meetings should be kept short and concise to avoid wasting time and negatively impacting productivity. To achieve this, set a specific duration for the meeting and stick to it. Ensure that the meeting is focused on the agenda and avoid any tangents that do not contribute to the meeting’s objectives.
It is also a good idea to break up meetings into smaller segments, separated by short breaks, to help team members stay focused and engaged.
Assign tasks and follow up after meetings
After a meeting, it is essential to assign tasks to team members and follow up on the tasks assigned. This step helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the meeting has achieved its intended outcome.
Additionally, assigning tasks and following up reduces the need for follow-up meetings, allowing team members to focus on other important tasks.
Avoid Scheduling Recurring Meetings
Recurring meetings can be an effective way to keep team members aligned, but they can also become a time-consuming distraction if not used sparingly. Before scheduling a recurring meeting, consider the following:
Is it necessary to have a recurring meeting, or can information be shared via other channels?
Will the meeting add value, or is it just a time-consuming distraction?
Can you decrease the frequency or duration of the meeting?
By answering these questions, you can determine if a recurring meeting is necessary and adjust its frequency and duration accordingly.
Use asynchronous communication
Asynchronous communication methods, such as email, chat, or shared documents, can be an effective way to reduce a meeting’s need. By providing information and pursuing discussions asynchronously, team members can review information and provide feedback at their convenience, ultimately reducing the need for time-consuming meetings.
Moreover, asynchronous communication can be particularly beneficial for remote teams operating in different time zones.
Embrace an Agile Approach
An agile approach can be useful for remote teams. Agile methodology focuses on collaboration, prioritization, and flexibility. It replaces traditional project management and replaces it with an iterative approach that emphasizes frequent team communication, feedback, and adaptation.
This approach embraces a more collaborative environment, so by reducing the number of meetings, that can be replaced with communication channels that are constantly open and responsive. Embracing an Agile approach can help teams to be more productive and achieve better results with fewer distractions.
Collaboration through Shared Documents
Shared documents are an essential tool for remote workers. Google Docs or Office 365 can be used to create a shared document that allows team members to collaborate in real-time. This can reduce the need for face-to-face meetings by providing an effective platform where team members can collaborate and provide feedback.
Moreover, shared documents are easily accessible and can be updated in real-time. It allows team members to work together asynchronously, that is, they can contribute their ideas on their own schedule. Shared documents are beneficial for those who work remotely because they let teams collaborate without having to schedule a face-to-face meeting.
Reduce Meeting Frequency
To reduce the number of meetings, you must implement strategies previously mentioned, such as setting clear objectives, using video conferencing tools, limiting the meeting duration, assigning tasks after meetings, and embracing asynchronous communication. Additionally, you can consider reducing the frequency of meetings to allow team members to focus on other important tasks.
Team members are most productive when they can work on their own without too many distractions. If the meeting is the only source of communication, it should be limited to its minimum to free the team’s time.
Strategic Use of Meetings
While reducing the number of meetings can help to reduce distractions, there are times when meetings are essential. It would help if you approached meetings strategically to get the most out of them. Here are some tips:
- Hold meetings for specific purposes – Meetings are essential for defining goals, sharing information, assigning tasks, or making decisions. Don’t hold meetings for just any reason.
- Create a clear agenda – Ensure everyone knows the goal, questions, or discussions or decisions that are supposed to be addressed in the meeting.
- Organize meetings when decisions need to be made – Hold meetings when necessary, but make sure they can accomplish the desired outcome in a specific time.
- Limit and intensify meetings – The fewer meetings held, the better for everyone. It’s essential to be efficient and concentrate on rapid fire decision-making and problem-solving.
Effective Communication Channels
Remote work requires everyone to understand the importance of effective communication channels. A more balanced approach can free up time that would otherwise be spent on unnecessary meetings. Here are some ways that help reduce the need for meetings:
- Chat and Messaging Platforms – Remote teams depend heavily on chat and instant messaging platforms. The quickness and simplicity of these tools allow for efficient communication between team members.
- Collaborative tools – Shared documents, Discussions, online calendars, project management applications make team collaboration easier.
- Email – Email is still a good tool for those times when it’s necessary to get a detailed message out to the team. Still, it is essential to limit the amount of information you send and only send information that is relevant to the discussion.
Communication Guidelines
During remote work, communication guidelines are essential for effective communication between team members. Here are some tips to follow while working remotely:
- Participate and engage actively – Team members should participate in communication by asking questions or responding to messages quickly.
- Use Positive Communication – The language used should be positive and the tone friendly. Otherwise, this may discourage communication between team members.
- Be mindful of time zones – As a remote worker, make sure that you respect the time zones of other team members.
- Be Clear and Concise with Communication – Communication should be clear, direct, and as brief as possible.
Reduce Interruptions
Interruptions can be a significant distraction for any remote worker. They can lead to cluttered calendars or reduce productivity by breaking focus. Here are some tips to help you reduce interruptions:
- Turn off notifications – Be it phone notifications or desktop notifications, turn them off when you’re concentrating on important or time-sensitive work.
- Create a schedule – Structuring your day can help you to focus on work that’s important and reduce any unnecessary interruptions that aren’t related to work.
- Set boundaries with teammates – Make sure that team members respect your time and distract you less often.
Invest in Training
Companies need to invest in training remote workers in virtual communication and collaborative technologies. A lack of training can lead to inefficiencies, incorrect expectations, miscommunication or work duplication among remote teams. Providing proper training can help employees make full use of virtual technologies, reduce misunderstanding, and ease the pressure of communication on remote teams.
Closing Words
In conclusion, while meetings are an essential part of managing remote teams, it is crucial to reduce and manage meetings to maintain productivity and maximize focus. By reducing meetings, scheduling them strategically, setting clear meeting objectives, using video conferencing tools, and using asynchronous communication, you can reduce the number of meetings needed and achieve your team’s objectives more efficiently. Use these tips and strategies today and start managing your remote meetings flawlessly!