Board meetings that are online eliminate one of the most significant barriers to participation and attendance: time. Meetings are shorter which means that board members can attend more of them. This in turn increases attendance, and decreases the likelihood of missing crucial decisions. It is important to recognize that a board meeting online isn’t without its own problems.
In-person meetings allow participants to read body language and facial expressions http://boardmgmt.net which is difficult to accomplish in a virtual conversation. It’s also harder to keep remote board members engaged. For example board members may be uncomfortable speaking up at an event if they don’t feel their contributions will be heard. Even even if they speak up, their voice could be drowned out by other attendees or background sound.
Inconsistent audio quality and incompatible software are also a challenge for online board meetings. It’s crucial to choose a video conferencing platform that’s secure, accessible, simple to use and loaded with features that aid your business. Ask your board members if they can test the platform prior to your online board meeting. This will allow you to avoid any technical issues.
Another issue is keeping the meeting on track. Limiting the duration of discussion items may assist. It is recommended that you set a goal for each item and limit the time it takes. You can, for instance designate a particular person as the leader for each topic on the agenda or establish a time limit for each item. The aim should be to arrive at a conclusion or generate ideas prior to moving on to the next item.