Art, obsession, and identity
One of the main problems to arise during online meetings is hardware and/or software not working properly. Always do a test run and make sure everything is in order before the call.
Luckily it's easy to mute yourself in video conferencing software; normally all it takes is the click of a button. There is also normally a shortcut for temporarily unmuting.
Not only does showing up late give a very bad impression, but arriving early gives you the chance to check that your technology is working, and to collect your thoughts before the meeting.
In the likely event that something is not working as well as you'd like, you'll hopefully have time to fix the issue or at the very worst warn your colleagues or partners about the problem.
When participating in a video conference call, it is very important to mute yourself when not talking. Background noise, such as typing, coughing, or even talking is very distracting.
It's a good idea to make sure that your backdrop is as plain as possible, and at the very least that it doesn't contain anything you wouldn't want somebody from work to see.
It is paramount that you position your camera at the right level so as to avoid people having to look up your nose or down your shirt. A camera at the wrong angle can be very distracting.
It might be an idea to try a few software options before deciding which one is the best fit for your team. While they are much the same, the options for software do differ slightly.
The camera should be positioned so that you feel natural and can talk into the camera. Aim to show yourself from the mid-section up and not cut off the top of your head.
What is appropriate will depend on the company and perhaps whether the call is internal or external, but as a general rule of thumb don't wear anything you wouldn't wear to the office.
Try to avoid any lighting from below, as this can produce a comic effect. The most flattering light is light that comes for the sides, so aim for that; you want to look your best!
Looking anywhere but the camera can give the impression that you're not paying attention or that you're simply not interested in what the other person has to say.
Looking into the camera will help people to know that you're engaged and give them the confidence that you're interested in what is being discussed.
Try to rid your environment of distractions and resist the temptation to get other work done on the side. Most of the time this sort of multi-tasking is not effective anyway.
While it may be tempting to respond to emails or scroll through your phone during a call, particularly if you're not required to speak, this can appear rude.
A slow and unreliable Internet connection is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to disrupting a video conference call. Always make sure your connection is strong and reliable.
If your Internet connection does fail you during a call, let the other people in the call know you're having problems and perhaps turn off your camera to save bandwidth.
The ultimate objective of a video conference is, of course, to get business done. It is therefore a good idea to have a backup plan in case you are forced to abort the video call entirely.
Always make sure you have the phone numbers and/or email addresses of the participants in the call, so that if necessary you can communicate via a different channel to get the job done.
Of course, this one goes for physical meetings as well as video conference calls. But nonetheless, never forget the importance of turning up on time.
Although it's understandable that things come up and distractions happen, it can be quite disconcerting if someone disappears from a video call without warning.
Some people are more prone to fidgeting than others, but it is definitely not uncommon for people to play with their hair or otherwise fidget during a video call.
If you do have to slip out for a moment, send a message to at least one of the participants to say that you're doing so. It may also be an idea to turn off your camera while you're gone.
As much as you can, try to keep this to a minimum, since it can be distracting. If you find you can't help it, keep it out of shot of the camera so as to avoid disruption.
Sources: (OWL Labs) (Kelly Services) (Impact)
See also: Tips and tricks for making your perfect home office
Having the right light is very important if you want your video to be of good quality. Avoid mixing natural and office light unless your office bulbs are daylight white.
A coffee or glass of water you can just about get away with, but pulling out a sandwich or bag of chips is just too distracting for everyone else on the call.
When conducting a video call with a colleague or even a partner, a busy background can be distracting, particularly if it features books with questionable titles or an inappropriate poster.
This one is mainly for the team leads among us. It is important to make sure that the software and hardware you provide your employees with is easy to learn and navigate.
Eating before a business call is not only important because it gives you fuel, but because eating during the call itself is very poor etiquette.
While it may be tempting to work all day in your favorite hoodie, or even your pajamas, this should be avoided if you are going to attend a video conference call.
From crying babies to inquisitive cats and dogs, the potential disruptions to a video conferencing call are endless and ultimately inevitable. But as with any business meeting, it's important to make sure things go as smoothly as possible.
Check out this gallery for some top tips on how to ensure your video conference is successful.
Top tips for a successful video conference call
Perfecting the art of the video call
LIFESTYLE Work
From crying babies to inquisitive cats and dogs, the potential disruptions to a video conferencing call are endless and ultimately inevitable. But as with any business meeting, it's important to make sure things go as smoothly as possible.
Check out this gallery for some top tips on how to ensure your video conference is successful.