Working from home has put an abrupt end to face to face meetings. Zoom & Skype calls are the order of the day.
These calls are virtual meetings and so there is a level of etiquette that applies. Lack of adherence to some basics may result in you being deemed unprofessional and this will do some harm to your personal brand. Let’s look at some key points to note:
Internet connection
The title of this piece is inspired by what often happens during a call when someone has a bad connection. Their audio is fuzzy, they get randomly cut from the call and then they come charging back while a colleague is still speaking. While people may sympathize with the technical challenges the person is facing, it is advisable to highlight any connection challenges at the start of the meeting. The participants of the call will likely be a bit more understanding & accommodating.
Appearance
First point is to dress appropriately, you may be dressed casual but make sure your clothes are smudge free, clean & ironed. Then ensure that your background is well kept and orderly. This includes your table as well, put away anything that does not need to feature in the video.
Be intentional about how you are perceived, your behavior feeds directly into your personal brand…Pako Moshaga (Personal Brand Consultant)
Sound quality
Whatever room you are using, ensure there is no background noise such as a fan, TV or kids playing. Go a step further and have your cell phone on silent. This will allow the audience on the call to hear you clearly and give you their full attention. Last thing you need is a colleague throwing you off by saying “Sorry, there is some shuffling sound that comes in as you speak”. Once you have shared your comments, take care to mute your mic when it is not your turn. There are few things as embarrassing as being told “Tim, please mute your mic. Your typing is causing a disturbance. Thanks.”
Be intentional about how you are perceived, your behavior feeds directly into your personal brand.
