Online Board Meetings Benefits
Teleconference meetings have become more commonplace as businesses make the transition to working from home permanently following the pandemic. Meetings via teleconferencing are efficient, but there are some issues to be considered.
A lower level of engagement: Going remote can be a bit daunting for some attendees who are not used to communicating online, leading to a decrease in participation at the meeting. This could hinder the progress of the board and disrupt the agenda of the company.
It is sometimes difficult to read facial expressions and body language during a virtual discussion, which can lead misunderstandings. The absence of eye contact could also cause directors to feel less confident talking up and turn into passive listeners, which isn’t the ideal situation for the boardroom.
The board portal can be used to help improve these issues. For instance a tool for managing the board with an encrypted video conference feature allows you to record meetings and keep important documents in one place. Directors can access the documents and minutes anytime, from any device, even prior to the next meeting.
It is also a great idea to make sure the room is tidy and free of distractions. The meeting should not be held during mealtimes, and all attendees are urged to use a muffled phone when not speaking in order to minimize background noise. The chair should have the ability to see all attendees and advise participants to only use their microphones when necessary.
