While remote working was thought of as a temporary measure to aid organizations in overcoming the COVID-19 epidemic, many companies are now embracing virtual board meetings as a permanent feature of their board member and director engagement. However, as with any new technology, it will require some time for boards to feel comfortable and productive in a virtual environment.
It can be difficult to create a sense of community or interaction in a virtual setting like it is in a real one. By adding interactive elements to meetings, such as breakout sessions, a quiz or even a quick poll can be helpful in breaking up long presentations and encouraging more participation. Another issue is that those who aren’t used to using teleconferencing or video conferences platforms may be scared of being online. This could result in less engagement than in the past.
It is essential to choose a platform for technology that is user-friendly for online board meetings. Before the meeting, it could be beneficial to conduct a tech run-through to make sure that all participants have the proper equipment and can participate without issue. It’s also beneficial to limit the length of online meetings to avoid the possibility of fatigue from screens as people begin to become uncomfortable after looking at the screen of a computer for too long. A short agenda with estimated times for each item can help the chair manage the meeting and keep it moving.