With a large number of us working from home, conference and video calls are the norm. Some of my biggest pet peeves are that people seem to throw all rules out the window when they sit on conference and video calls. These calls should be treated no different that in-person meetings and the person leading the call should receive the same respect as the leader of any meeting. AND, if you are the leader of the call, be sure to dial in early so the others are not sitting and listening to elevator music waiting on the call to be set in motion minutes after it is scheduled to start! Yes, those of you out there that know me, know that another pet peeve of mine is being on time for meetings, any meetings.
I have shared with you below my Top Ten Conference/Video Call Etiquette Do’s and Dont’s. They will make your calls and your lives easier to manage!
- DO dial in to a call a few minutes early – no one want’s to begin a call and hear the constant beeps of late comers interrupting the meeting.
- DON’T email everyone on the call looking for the dial in number at the same time the call is supposed to start – plan ahead!
- DO keep background noise to a minimum and use your mute button if possible – pounding on your keyboard and answering emails while listening is not cool!
- DON’T carry on two conversations at once – you know who you are – we hear you when you are on your land line for the call and your cell phone for another call and it is very distracting and we then have to wait for you to finish, and by the way, you are totally oblivious to this!
- DO state your name when you speak – first and last – not everyone will recognize who you are.
- DON’T assume your cell phone will have great coverage – be respective of others on the line and call from a land line if possible! Cell phones can be very in and out if you are moving and make for impossible reception for everyone on the call.
- DO be prepared to discuss the topic at hand – like with all meetings do a little prep work prior to.
- DON’T multitask during the call and be the one caught off guard when asked a question and you have no idea what they are talking about! Again, these calls should be treated like any other meeting!
- DO follow an agenda and provide it prior to the call. This will help keep everyone on track.
- DON’T forget to follow up after the meeting with clear take aways and follow up steps!