The rest of this handbook relies on you being able to use a video-communication software that meets the following basic functionality:
- We can see each other
- We can hear each other
- We can share our screen
Many of you will already have this sorted but not everyone! At Saberr we love Zoom but any other alternative that meets the functionality outlined above will do just fine.
1. Keep your camera on
Seeing each other helps you reinforce human bonds, something most of us could use at the moment. When you can't see a person, you don't see their facial expressions, eye contact or body language which makes it much easier for words to be misinterpreted. It also means people are less likely to browse instagram or entertain other distractions.
There’s only one really good reason to turn it off: if your internet connection is poor and you want to prioritise sound quality over video.
2. Record the meeting
At the moment schedules might be unpredictable as childcare falls through and emergencies arise. If someone can’t make the meeting record it for them. When you share the recording with them, be specific about whether they need to watch the whole thing or whether you can neatly summarise the outcomes for them.
Even if they don’t really need to watch the recording, it’s a nice gesture and takes no effort.
3. If one person is remote, everyone is remote
Finally, if one person’s remote, everyone else should join the call separately as if they’re remote. Otherwise, people who aren’t in the room get sidelined by those who are.
