Online Board Meetings Benefits
With many companies moving to working from home for a long time following the pandemic, teleconferences have become more frequent than ever. Meetings via teleconferencing are convenient, but there are some challenges to consider.
A lower level of engagement: Going remote can be a bit daunting for some attendees who aren’t accustomed to communicating online, leading to a decrease in participation at the meeting. This can impede board progress and cause the agenda to be slowed down.
It is often difficult to discern body language and facial expressions in a virtual conversation, which can lead misunderstandings. A lack of eye contact could cause some directors to feel less comfortable and listeners who are passive. This isn’t a good sign for the boardroom.
The board portal can be used to improve these issues. For example, a board management tool with a secure video conference feature makes it easy to record meetings and save important documents in one best redaction software place. Directors can then access the minutes and documents at any time, from any device, and even before the next meeting.
It is also a great idea to make sure the meeting room is clean and free of distractions. The meeting should not be held during mealtimes and everyone is encouraged to turn off their phones when they are not speaking to minimize background noise. The chair should be able to see everyone in attendance and encourage attendees to only use their microphones only when they are needed.