While remote working was thought of as a temporary measure to help organizations get through the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of organizations have now switched to virtual board meetings as a permanent feature of their director and board member engagement. But, like any new idea, it will take some time to get used to for boards to feel comfortable and productive in a virtual environment.
The main issue is that it can be difficult to create the same feeling of camaraderie as well as interaction in a virtual gathering like a face-to-face meeting. A quick poll, quiz or even breakout sessions can break lengthy presentations. Another difficulty is that going online is a bit daunting for people unfamiliar with communicating through www.justboardroom.com/board-meeting-preparation-checklist/ video conference or teleconferencing tools and can lead to lower than usual engagement levels.
It is essential to select a technology platform that is simple to use for online board meetings. Prior to the meeting, it may also be beneficial to conduct a technology run-through to make sure that everyone has the correct equipment and can participate without any issues. Limiting the length of online meetings may aid in preventing screen fatigue. People can become uncomfortable when looking at their computer for too long. Including a short agenda with estimated time limits for each item will help in the pace of the call and aid the chair in controlling the meeting.