My most recent column, (Who Was That Masked Man?) in case you’ve already forgotten, was about the ubiquitous wearing of masks, be they featuring promotional advertising or not. I don’t usually sidebar in the first paragraph of my column (that is, it usually takes much longer for me to lose my train of thought), but I will update you with info on my COVID19 stricken friend: as of a couple of days ago, they did take him off the ventilator and he was doing…okay. Let’s not oversell this: he still has a long way to go. It’s been close to two months. Wear your damn mask, okay?
That brings me to this column, which I began formulating immediately after the last one. In notes to myself, I scribbled “If this is still a thing…”. Of course it’s still a thing! It’s gonna be a thing for quite some time. That is, unless you desperately need a haircut or a burrito in certain states. Don’t get me started.
Nevertheless…during this time it’s safe to say that you’ve most likely participated in a Zoom conference (or some other brand of your preference), entering into this brave new world of conferencing. If you haven’t, I have to seriously call into question your level of business activity. Me, I use it primarily to have Mastermind-level conversations with my two-and-a-half year old granddaughter.
I suspect that video conferencing is here to stay…at least for the foreseeable future. More and more companies have seen the light and are allowing their employees to work from home. More and more employees have come to appreciate the comforts of working from home, and have updated their wardrobes to include a better quality of pajama.
The conveniences notwithstanding, there are some pitfalls along the way that need to be taken into consideration when you’re communicating via this method. Here are some tips to help you continue the transition to “lazy slob who never leaves home”.
I’ll open with this one, as I personally witnessed it yesterday: Yes, we’re supposed to act naturally when participating in a video conference. Forget there’s a camera and just participate. Sure…you might have to make an occasional adjustment to the equipment. By that, I mean your computer. My advice: think before you stand up. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. Okay…now some other useful ideas:
Get the Brady Bunch references out to the way early.
Are you having these conferences often? According to recent reports, Twitter will be allowing employees to work from home indefinitely. They’re not the only company. If these meetings are becoming part of your regular routine, you might want to consider your surroundings. How’s the lighting? Is there a pizza stain on your shirt (and was this a breakfast meeting?)? Be comfortable in your surroundings, but remember to be a professional.
Don’t talk to the camera. Talk through the camera. You’re speaking with humans, not with the computer. You need to make eye contact with the people on the other side of the screen.
I live near a major highway. Now that the warmer weather is finally here (Snow? In May???), the windows are open and I hear every truck going by. Guess what: so does everyone with whom I’m speaking. For the sake of the other participants in the meeting, shut your windows.
Doors too, if need be. My dog is a jerk, who has the habit of barking at the most inopportune times. Such as: always. If I’m on a call, I shut the door. Yes, with him on the other side. Let the Trophy Wife deal with him.
We’ve all seen those videos of kids barging in while Mom/Dad are on a video chat. They’re hysterical…until they happen to you.
You know what else needs to be shut? Email notification “bings” and Facebook Messenger sounds. Along with any others. No one else needs to hear those.
To that end, shut off social media altogether (while I might mean in general, I’m presently referring to when you’re on a video conference). Trust me: I know when you’re not paying attention to me because I can see you reacting to something else on your screen. Yes I’m funny. Not that funny.
While you’re at it, shut the ringer on your phone, too.
If you’re going to be giving an actual presentation during a video conference, make sure you’re prepared ahead of time. Are your microphone and camera both working properly? You might want to consider a practice run. Sure, Grandma might be bored to tears listening to you go on about the Wenus, but shouldn’t you be calling her more often anyway?
About your presentation: keep it short. If you’re running too long, you can see the MEGO look (My Eyes Glaze Over) from the other participants. Be concise. Remember, everyone else wants to go reheat their coffee too.
If your presentation will involve screen sharing, make sure all other windows are shut. Yeah…that could get embarrassing.
Long before the days of video conferencing and social distancing, I was (and still am) a “remote worker”. I was a remote worker before we heard the term “remote worker”. During a sales (phone) call with a client who I considered to be a friend, he said that he’d been working from home, on and off, for a couple of years. His advice: get ready for the day as though you have some place to be. This was just at the dawn of “corporate casual”, so he recommended wearing a dress shirt (no tie necessary). Shave, even if you’re not leaving the house. If you look the part, you’ll feel the part. Be a professional.
Just remember: pants are your friend.
Mike Schenker, MAS, is “all that” at Mike Schenker, Consulting, where he assists businesses entering the promotional products industry, mentors professionals, and offers association management. He is a promotional industry veteran and member of the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) Hall of Fame. He can be reached at mike@mikeschenker.com.