Around 62% of employees work from home at least some of the time, relying on video conferencing solutions to communicate with colleagues, managers, and clients. Contacting work colleagues via Zoom, Skype, or Google Meets has become almost second nature. Its ease and practicality mean that video conferencing will probably be a big part of our lives in the future, so acing your etiquette is key if you want to remain professional throughout. Arguably the most important general rule to follow when taking part in a video call is to behave exactly as you would if you were seeing your contacts face-to-face.
Preparing Required Equipment
Always test your equipment before making a call. You may think your computer will work, the sound will be perfect, and your lighting will be ideal but until you test all these components, you can never be 100% sure. Apps such as Zoom and Google Meets enable you to test if your mic and camera are working so test these out at least a day before the meeting. You should have enough time to buy any spare parts you need (for instance, a new camera or microphone) or to calmly ask help from a tech expert if, for some reason, things aren’t going to plan.
Style Matters
When you work from home, it can be tempting to stay in your pyjamas all day and to quickly put on a T-shirt or sweater to attend a conference fall. However, you should always aim to match your style to video conferencing standards in your industry. For instance, if you are in a sales meeting with clients or you are a lawyer advising your clients on legal matters, then a suit and tie will lend you the professionalism that is called for. Don’t forget that you are in a position of trust and clients will expect you to take their matters seriously. Invest a few minutes in selecting jewellery pieces and accessories that will give you a chic edge. Choose small yet sparkly items like a micropavé button necklace, small multicoloured gemstone hoops, or a nice beaded bracelet. Don’t forget that professionalism and sartorial flair are not mutually exclusive concepts.
Organizing Your Call
If you are the meeting creator, make sure that everyone who will be taking part knows the exact time the call will be made. Send them the call schedule beforehand and if possible, indicate how much time will be devoted to each topic. Designate a moderator unless you want to take this task on yourself. As the moderator, you should lead the conversation but also allow others to share their points of view. If someone is taking a long time to explain their point of view, subtly ask them to summarize their ideas so others have time to share theirs. Finally, inform participants that you will be recording the meeting if you will be doing so.
A large percentage of workers are telecommuting and it looks like this phenomenon will continue over the next few years. Video conferencing is proving to be a vital way for employees to stay in touch both with employers and clients. To ensure you stick to video call etiquette standards, be punctual, organize your meeting well, and make sure your outfit is industry-appropriate. Finally, express your sense of style through beautiful and discreet jewellery pieces and accessories.