Hybrid is a terminology that is in use for many things these days usually to denote a “mid-way” between the traditional method and some newly discovered method. That is what hybrid cars or hybrid cloud essentially mean. What hybrid meeting is? The hybrid meeting is neither an all-virtual meeting nor a traditional face to face meeting, rather it is “in-between”. A hybrid meeting is a meeting with some attendees in a physical room and some participants over the internet. This requires new technologies, new processes and new goals. Hybrid meetings are more than a mix of video conferencing and on-site meetings since one need to pay attention to both of the worlds. This meeting model is different from video-only calls or in-person meetings only. It brings with it technical challenges, requires new skills, and requires someone — perhaps even several people — to develop the skills of a facilitator. A hybrid meeting is more than just a synonym for a remote meeting. Here are a few tips.
Optimize your technology
If you are the meeting organizer, make sure that the technologies will run smoothly. Few people who have experienced these meetings would agree that the remote team connected via a loudspeaker was often ignored, could not be heard or heard, or was completely forgotten. No one in the conference room knew who was attending the conversation. Participants were asked to speak, others never had their say. The support of video – in the form of a video camera in the room and a wall-mounted video conference screen – contributes significantly to the fact that the participants in the room and the callers alike can get involved. Turn off all audio notifications from your smartphone or PC.
Add collaboration tools
Adding online collaboration tools to a conference can increase engagement even further. You direct the focus of the meeting away from the speakers and towards the tasks at hand, and that’s the direction you want to draw attention to if you want more collaboration. A good hybrid meeting also requires that participants can moderate, lead and participate in it. This requires skills, habits and meeting hygiene.
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Make the meeting brief and goal oriented
Remotely watching people taking snacks or leaving for the washroom are potentially disturbing events. Try to make the events of shorter duration. The participants, depending on their roles may need motivation.
Involve the people of both worlds
One way to keep participants happy is through group activities. Another trick for more concentration during a meeting is to develop a system where you can take turns. Introduce everyone at the beginning of the meeting and give participants the chance to contribute. Add turns of questions or a quick poll.
Final words
Half of all meetings of today is fully remote, which is higher than it was before the pandemic. Most of the businesses across the globe today is working 50% employees in the physical offices. The hybrid meeting will remain an important mode of meeting for the next few years.
