FireFly Facilitation Answers a Blogger’s Meeting Effectiveness Question: “When is it okay to do online meetings?”

Regular team or project meetings are one example of when it is okay to have people participating virtually. With the time and cost involved in travel today, this is a business reality to be expected.

Since each company may have their own unique meetings that are well-suited to an online format, I think I can provide greater value by telling you when NOT to conduct a meeting virtually.

• First, when the key purpose of the meeting is to deal with a high-conflict situation. You need to have all of the key stakeholders in the room together to be able to read each other’s body language – since this is how we know if the words being said are being confirmed or refuted. No online meeting can replace face-to-face in these situations.
• Second, when the meeting purpose is to brainstorm solutions and action steps for a very tough problem. While virtual meeting technology has come a long way, it still can’t hold a candle to the creative energy that arises when you have a group of people in a room – with a skilled facilitator, of course! – collaborating to solve a critical business issue.

To help you decide on virtual or not, seriously weigh the pros and cons of each option. I know it’s not always under your control whether the meeting will be in person or online, but at least think about it.

Remember, post a comment or question by clicking on Comments ( ) below…and I look forward to answering it an upcoming blog!