Helpful hacks for hybrid team meetings

The reality of the “new normal” hybrid business model is here: The typical nine-to-five workday is a thing of the past, and most businesses will need to adapt to a hybrid team model to some degree in order to stay relevant. The key to success with hybrid teams lies in having the right technology and a team-building culture.

To create a business that supports both in-person and remote employees who can work in any environment from any computer and/or mobile device, you need the right technology infrastructure, including cloud-based project management, application-specific software and streamlined communication tools. You also need a strategy for meaningful hybrid team meetings. 

Here are some hacks to help you cultivate positive outcomes for your hybrid team meetings:

  1. Start by evaluating your technology needs. Then, move on to creating a hybrid meeting structure that’s supported by your tech stack. 

  2. Consider which type of hybrid meeting would work best for your business:

  • A virtual audience with an in-person presenter/moderator or vice versa, or

  • A combination of virtual and in-person attendees and presenters. 

  1. Think through how to keep your employees engaged, no matter how they join your meeting. 

  2. Have a central facilitator and an agenda before the meeting to keep the dialogue going and allow participants to think ahead about other topics they wish to discuss.

  3. Use visual aids to ensure everyone is on the same page (or screen). Using Zoom, Teams or another application that makes screen sharing and recording content easy is key. 

  4. Ask questions throughout and offer incentives for participation. This will help everyone feel included, promote engagement and reduce side conversations. 

  5. Ask virtual attendees to keep their video and audio on (although muted at times), and all participants to refrain from answering emails, texts and direct messages…or engaging in other conversations. 

  6. Evaluate your hybrid meeting structure from both a remote and an onsite employee’s perspective. Can everyone hear and see the same things? Is post-meeting follow up the same for both teams? 

It’s become necessary to offer remote work arrangements—not only to attract and retain talent, but to scale a business as well. Use the above hybrid meeting hacks to ensure your remote and onsite teams stay informed, connected and motivated as you work together to navigate the new frontier of hybrid working relationships. 

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