Virtual board meetings can help cut travel costs and save time. They also provide the benefits of in-person meetings, such as a wider diversity of perspectives, without the limitations of space and travel costs. They enable board members to concentrate more on strategic decisions, and speed up the process.
There are some challenges and obstacles that arise when converting from a traditional meeting format to a digital version. Some of them can be dealt with by ensuring that everyone on the board has access to high-quality video and audio tools for conferencing, while others will require some extra effort from the team members to overcome. This article will look at some of the main problems that you’ll encounter when you organize your first virtual board meetings, as well as provide some suggestions to tackle them efficiently.
Lack of engagement
The personal bonding and intimate connection that is created by an in-person meeting is difficult to replicate in a virtual setting, but there are ways to motivate board members to take part in virtual discussions. You can begin by creating an interactive environment where questions and feedback is appreciated. However, you could go further by dedicating time to open discussions.
The quality of audio and video conferencing software has improved considerably over time, but certain attendees may have issues getting used to the digital format. It is recommended to test the tool before any meeting and give clear instructions to those who aren’t experienced. This will lower the possibility of technical issues. It is also important to remind attendees to disable their notifications, shut down any programs that may affect their bandwidth and designate a staff member to assist them with login to the meeting, offer technical assistance during the meeting and help with the preparation of the minutes afterward.