10 Tips To Get Your Staff Back To The Office

Over the past year clients have asked me two important and burning questions.

The first; “Is the great resignation a real thing?”

And the second; “How do I get the team back to the office?”

Garret Norris – CEO/Co-Founder KONA Group

The reasons behind the Great Resignation are as varied as the movement is widespread.

Yes, people want to get paid more money or they want a better job title, but some people crave more flexibility or continued work-from-home perks.

So, when you’re calling people back into the office, take care, as you may end up losing some of your top employees.

Here are a few tips we would advise you consider.

Clear Communication

Provide transparent and consistent communication to address any concerns or questions employees may have about returning to the office.

Share how we work together and our different styles using DISC.

Flexible Work Options

Offer a hybrid work model that combines remote and in-office work.

This allows employees to enjoy the benefits of both environments and can make the transition back to the office more appealing.

Redesign The Office Space

Evaluate and improve the office environment to create a more comfortable and engaging workspace.

Consider incorporating:

  • Flexible seating arrangements
  • Collaborative areas
  • Amenities like standing desks, comfortable seating, or recreational spaces.

Prioritise Health And Safety

 Implement and communicate robust health and safety measures to reassure employees about their well-being.

This may include regular cleaning and providing hand sanitisers.

Create A Sense Of Community

Foster a positive work culture by organising:

  • Team-building activities
  • Social events
  • Office celebrations

Again, using DISC will greatly assist with this. Encourage interactions and collaboration among employees to help them reconnect and rebuild relationships.

Recognise And Reward Efforts

Acknowledge the challenges faced during the transition and recognise employees’ contributions.

Implement recognition programs or incentives to motivate and appreciate their efforts as they return to the office.

Professional Development Opportunities

Offer training programs, workshops, or seminars that support employees’ growth and development.

Highlight the benefits of in-person learning and networking opportunities that are more easily accessible in the office environment.

There are many KONA programmes that will build community, moral and business opportunities at www.KONA.com.au

Employee Well-Being Initiatives

Invest in employee well-being programs such as:

  • Wellness challenges
  • Mental health support resources
  • Fitness classes

Demonstrating a commitment to the overall well-being of employees can encourage them to return to the office.

Engage In Two-Way Feedback

Encourage employees to share their thoughts and concerns about returning to the office.

Actively listen to their feedback, address any issues, and make adjustments where possible.

This collaborative approach can help build trust and increase employee engagement.

Lead By Example

Management and leadership should set a positive example by returning to the office themselves and demonstrating enthusiasm for in-person collaboration.

When employees see their leaders embracing the transition, it can inspire them to follow suit.

Remember that the needs and preferences of employees may vary, so it’s essential to remain flexible and consider individual circumstances as you encourage workers to come back to the office.

Contact KONA today to find out how we can help you get your team motivated to return to the office!


4 Of The Biggest Challenges When ‘Work From Home’ Comes To An End

As the world continues to emerge from the pandemic, many companies want their staff to return to the office after an extended period of remote work.

However, this transition is not without its challenges.

Here are some of the biggest challenges that companies can face when bringing their staff back to the office after working from home.

1. Flexibility & Comfort of Working From Home

Many employees have grown used to the flexibility and comfort of working from home.

They have become accustomed to:

  • Being in their own environment
  • Controlling their work hours
  • Avoiding stressful commutes

Employees may be anxious about returning to the office. The fear of adjusting to a new routine, and the pressures of in-person interaction can cause anxiety and fear.

Employers can try to allow flexible hours where possible, and staggering schedules to help employees gradually adjust to their new routine.

2. Resuming Old Routines

Working remotely offers the flexibility of setting individual work schedules and reducing daily commute time.

Consequently, returning to the office may be challenging for employees who have gotten used to their remote work routines.

Employers can provide guidance and support on how to re-establish routines, including:

  • Waking up early
  • Taking the same commute to work
  • Building new daily habits

Encouraging social interactions, team meetings, and getting to know new colleagues can also help employees settle into their new routine.

3. Workplace Culture

After spending a considerable amount of time working from home, employees may have a different perspective on the company’s culture, values, and expectations.

There may be a disconnection between employees who have been working remotely and those who have been in the office.

Employers should consider ways of re-building and strengthening the company culture, such as:

  • Organising team-building activities
  • Social events
  • Recognition programs to celebrate employee achievements

These initiatives can help bring back a sense of belonging, which may have been lost during remote work.

4. Emotional Challenges

Returning to the office after a prolonged period of remote work can be emotionally challenging for employees.

It may be difficult to transition from the comfort of working from home to a more structured office environment.

The office may be a source of emotional triggers; reminding employees of the stress and anxiety they experienced pre-pandemic.

Employers should encourage open communication, provide emotional support, and acknowledge that returning to the office may be difficult.

The return to the office after working from home is not an easy transition, but it is a necessary one.

Employers should be empathetic and flexible, and recognise the challenges employees may face.

Clear communication, transparency, and support will be essential to make the transition back to the office as smooth and comfortable as possible.

By addressing the challenges, employers can foster a more productive, cohesive and positive workplace environment.

Contact KONA today to discuss tailored options for your business that can help to ease the return to the office.

 

Call 1300 611 288 or Email info@kona.com.au

Competition | Entertain Yourself During Lockdown

image of a headless man in a suit with dumbell weights, red tie, blue shirt, grey jacket for lockdown work from home blog

For many of us in a work from home set up, it can get exceedingly difficult to keep our minds continually engaged. But there are ways to invigorate morale and at the same time keep up productivity during lockdown.

At the KONA Group, we live by the philosophy activity drives results. So with that mantra in mind, we make sure all our employees stay active in mind and body. We believe a balance of mental and physical stimulation in our working day does wonders in increasing Sales and skyrocketing productivity.

For example, the Group’s CEO Garret Norris hops on his rowing machine in between delivering Virtual Training. We dare you to ask him next time you’re on a Sales, Negotiation, Leadership, Customers Service, or DISC Virtual Workshop with him – if he’s wearing his rowing tights ?!

Garret Norris exercising on his rowing machine, half dressed in a shirt and tie and the bottom half in lycra spandex tights for lockdown work from home
HBB Group CEO Garret Norris on his Rowing Machine while Working From Home

Then there’s KONA Senior Partner Glenn Dobson, he likes to build fences with his wife Ann as BlazeAid volunteers. And as soon as Glenn gets back into mobile reception range, he’s making those Sales calls!

Glenn Dobson with wife Ann both holding chainsaws for BlazeAid Volunteering
The KONA Group’s Senior Partner Glenn Dobson with wife Ann Volunteering for BlazeAid Cobargo

As for Maud Vanhoutte, KONA’s Effective Communication Specialist, she draws creative inspiration and is paws-itively productive during her work day thanks to her best friend Nalla.

Maud Vanhoutte, KONA's Effective Communication Specialist, with her dog Nalla on a picknic blanket in the park with her laptop
Maud Vanhoutte, KONA’s Effective Communication Specialist, with her productive pooch, Nalla.

So what do you do to entertain yourself during lockdown while also fitting business in?

FUN BIT + PRIZE TIME

The Competition

Send in your most inventive way(s) that you have kept yourself amused and still fit business in during lockdown. Entries can be:

  • Individual
  • Team
  • Company-wide

The Winner

The winning company will receive a 90-minute Virtual Workshop for their TEAM with a Specialist Trainer in one of the below learning areas:

  • Sales
  • Customer Service
  • DISC Profiling (Profiles Need to Be Bought Separately)

Why Are We Doing This?

Because as mentioned, we live by the philosophy activity drives results. And also, we love a good belly laugh. Heaven knows we could all do with that of late. We know laughter releases endorphins and makes us feel good.

Additionally, laughter is a key to our brain’s executive function, the part of us that keeps our eyes on the prize and produces results. And that there is Why Are We Doing This – to produce results. We practice what we preach. Our job at The KONA Group is to get you, our customer, to produce results. And if we can make you laugh along the way, then awesome!

The “What To Do

  • Email info@kona.com.au your most creative way(s) that you keep yourself amused while working
  • All entries must be submitted with a photo of said activity/task
  • Include a contact name and number
  • If you wish, tell us what Learning Area you want your Team to sit in on for their 90-Minute Virtual Training Workshop
  • HAVE FUN ?
With gyms closed, there are unique ways to exercise and work from home at the same time - nj.com

In the meantime, here are the Top 3 Habits to Increase Productivity While Working From Home:

1. Get the Right Amount Of Sleep

How much sleep do you get? If you are among the 40-odd percent of adults who sleep less than the recommended 7 to 9 hours per night, you may be suffering from mild sleep deprivation. Even if you’re clocking close to 7 hours, getting just 20 to 30 minutes less sleep than you need each night can impair cognition and performance. And you might not even realise it (drweissbluth.com/).

How to Sleep Well While Working From Home?

That said, it is not about getting hours upon hours of extra sleep. It is as simple as going to bed (a little) earlier. You will be amazed at your productivity level the next day.

2. Get a Stand-Up Desk or Use A Better Chair

When you spend most of your day seated, the chair you’re using can greatly affect how you feel during your working hours.

It's OK to Miss the Office During the Coronavirus Lockdown - WSJ

In fact, standing is much better for our posture and cognitive ability than sitting. A recent survey (officedepot.com/) found that more than half of workers who use an office-style chair daily suffer from back pain or physical discomfort because of their desk chairs.

 

3. Take Exercise Breaks

Let’s face it – we are now more than ever living in a sedentary work environment. This means we have to work a little harder to work physical activity into our daily routines.

A gym workout is a popular choice for many workers committed to fitness. But for all of us, we should consider the physical and mental benefits of a midday exercise break. Exercise breaks at around lunchtime can benefit more than just your health, it also boosts concentration and creativity levels when you do get back to work.

Why your brain loves it when you exercise, plus 3 easy ways to work out at home |

So, send in your most inventive activity you or a colleague does to amuse yourselves and keep fit all while still conducting business during lockdown, for your chance TO WIN your Team a 90-Minute Virtual Training Workshop!

And for more information about Maintaining Mojo While Working from Home or How to Smash Sales Remotely, call us on 1300 611 288 for a confidential conversation, or email info@kona.com.au anytime.

LAURETTE WITH HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY ON IT FOR KONA GROUP SALES TRAINING SALES HEALTH CHECK

HOW TO RESET YOUR BUSINESS AND PEOPLE POST-COVID

We cannot ignore the fact that COVID-19 has had a serious impact on the Australian economy. This has resulted in many business leaders enduring sleepless nights and scratching their heads over the current and future impact of this pandemic on their business. But it is important to remember that the situation is entirely out of our control – everyone’s in the same boat. What is in your control however, as a Leader, is:
  • How your business recovers
  • What actions you take
  • How you get your team back on target
  • What outlook you hold
  • What strategic plans you have in place
  • What you are going to do to increase momentum

HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF HITTING THE RESET BUTTON ON YOUR BUSINESS?

For many of us, we may have issues about “coming back to the office”, or getting back on target, or concerns about our people being out of the physical hunt for results for too long, or simply – achieving ROI. Soon the pace of pre-COVID days will return, do you have actions in place for when we all can come together again? Have you considered:
  • How you are going to build a culture of performance?
  • How you will instil a mindset of positive thinking?
  • How to get results from your team?
  • How to re-frame your team’s conversations around the future?
  • How to React, Restore, Reset your business and people?

To find out more contact the KONA Group 1300 611 288 | info@kona.com.au

Have you considered a positive movement of encouragement and support for your team on their return – recognition of coming together when we can come together? But how? How, as a forward-thinking Leader, do I encourage and support the return of my staff? The strongest way to support your staff and show them self-worth with a definite ROI, is through instilling a positive mindset – that is the gift that keeps on giving. At the KONA Group we know the value and the power of Motivational Speaking. We can assist you in any capacity to harness positive thinking, spread its powers and skyrocket productivity as a direct result. All our exceptional Motivational Speakers have great stories behind them, their teachings come from walking the pavement of life, the words come from experiences not textbooks. Come on a journey with one of our team. Here is a snippet of one of our Senior team and the founder of the KONA Group. 10 years ago this week the 60-year-old inspiration climbed into the boxing ring with ex-Heavyweight Boxing Champion of Australia John Hopoate all in the name of raising funds for very worthy Breast Cancer patients. Glenn also ran across the Sahara Dessert for the same cause, AND – completed the Hawaiian Ironman in KONA. Oh, and did we mention earlier this year he became the world’s oldest CAGE FIGHTER?! His physical stamina is nothing compared to his mental strength – Glenn has built an outstanding reputation as a Personal Mentor, helping individuals of all ages to achieve goals they never thought possible. He is a specialist Business, Health and Sport Mentor.

To find out more contact the KONA Group 1300 611 288 | info@kona.com.au

And there are many more like Glenn for you to meet: kona.com.au/meet-the-team/ Everyone has a story and every story can be transformed to lead to positive outcomes. Hit the reset button on your business, engage one of our modern Motivational Speakers and bring out the best in your team and business. We did. To learn how to RESET YOUR BUSINESS or book in your team’s MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, contact KONA: 1300 611 288 | info@kona.com.au for a confidential conversation today.

You Need to Create a Pipeline NOW

sales pipeline kona training

These are strange times. While medical professionals are striving to maintain COVID-19, businesses around the world are struggling with the disruption of the day-to-day. It’s a confusing time for everyone. Many of us don’t know what the next steps are. However, the smart leaders are looking at and focusing on their sales pipeline. They will be asking:
  • Does my sales team know how to build a new pipeline post COVID?
  • Does my sales team know how to manage the key principles of Sales Pipeline Management?
  • Am I confident that myself and my salespeople will hit the target that we NEED to hit in the next 12 months?
  • How much time do my salespeople spend in the field with customers and how will they make up for lost time in the field?
  • How many new customers / proposals do my salespeople need in their pipeline to achieve target?
  • What are the key activities that will drive their results?
  • How do our salespeople manage the average lead time from identifying a new opportunity to invoicing it?
  • What is the historic fall out rate from our existing accounts?

To find out more contact the KONA Group 1300 611 288 | info@kona.com.au

You should be considering a sales strategy “re-set” conference NOW with your leaders, salespeople and any other departments who will assist in you hitting the targets. This I would suggest be facilitated where teams share strategies that commercial teams can use to build a pipeline of high-intent leads now during a time of crisis. This is a new world for us. And we all need to find new ways to better our marketing and sales efforts. Just to put the notion of acting now into perspective – THE WORLD HAS CHANGED. Here’s a look at St. Patrick’s Day in 2019 outside of Temple Bar in the centre of Dublin.

And, here’s a look at that same location in 2020. Events and public gatherings of all kinds have been put on hold as we move into this new normal. And B2B selling has and is going to see further impacts on how we do business over the coming months. A 2019 Events Marketing Benchmarks and Trends report interviewed 1000+ senior marketers at companies managing over $738 million in event spend a year from the software, services, and media industries. Here are a few highlights from that report that stood out to us:
  • 30% organise events to support lead generation + sales acceleration
  • 41% see live events as the most critical marketing channel in achieving business outcomes
  • 63% plan to increase their budget by 22% in 2020
As you can see, events play a significant role in marketers and sales teams’ lives. Businesses depend on events to generate sales.

To find out more contact the KONA Group 1300 611 288 | info@kona.com.au

SUMMARY

A sales pipeline can be compared to the beating heart of your business. That’s why its importance and value can hardly be overestimated. This means that if you don’t manage your pipeline successfully, then you risk losing out on new customers and your business could suffer. With more than 60% of sales managers saying that their company does a poor job of managing their sales pipeline, chances are you need to improve the way yours works, too. The best practices and methodologies we have developed over the past 20 years will help you keep your sales pipeline beating at a healthy pace, make your work more organised and structured, shorten and speed up your sales cycles, and reach your sales targets quicker, all the while bringing growth and profit for your business.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR SALES PIPELINE?

For a confidential assessment of your business and sales pipeline in a post-COVID world,

contact KONA: 1300 611 288 | info@kona.com.au

SIX TIPS FOR SMASHING A VIRTUAL SALES MEETINGS

PROSPECTING IN A PANDEMIC

man at laptop in background, foreground image mask and keys in a table
A third of the Australian economy is generated from New South Wales, so what happens when that state goes into lockdown? Add to that Victoria in lockdown, and that is a sizeable portion of the nation’s economy taking a hard hit. We are once again in a situation where we need to be creative about how we are going to function and keep producing results. Virtual Sales Meetings are indeed back and look to be settling in quite comfortably for at least a month. So, do we stop selling and wait or do we power through and get busy smashing Sales remotely?
Imagine if at the start of 2020 you were told you can double the number of leads you see a day? Virtual sales meetings looks to be settling in quite comfortably as the preferred procedure moving forward. And used correctly this new modus operandi can work wonders for you, enabling you to see up to 10 times more prospects during a day than if you had to commute.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WIN OR LOSE
Acquiring and retaining strong professional sales relationships remotely is not as daunting as it seems in this new – online only world we are living in. As a Leader, is your sales team virtually afloat and motivated or really sinking? Are you as a manager making the right leadership decisions during this time of change?

MS Teams ZOOM meetings sales training with Brickworks

The simple truth is effective virtual communication skills could be the difference between winning and losing a sales deal. Just like in-person meetings, there are protocols to a sales meeting to bring about results. DOES YOUR TEAM KNOW HOW TO SELL EFFECTIVELY VIRTUALLY?

Here is both the why – and the how – of effective virtual sales to skyrocket sales results remotely.

 
1. PREPARE FOR THE VIRTUAL SALES MEETING FIRST
  • Make an Appointment: make sure you email an invite to all the participants to accept it – include a link to the web-conference into the invite and make sure you point out that it is a video meeting, so it is no surprise for the client.
  • Inform your prospect about your agenda, the questions you are bringing to the table and the goal you are both pursuing.
  • Provide your prospect with leeway to decide on the time that is convenient for them.
2. CONTROL THE MEETING
  • Encourage everyone to identify themselves before each contribution, “This is Fred from…”
  • As host, repeat questions that are asked of you before answering. Some participants may not have heard the question.
  • Remind participants before and during the meeting to keep their microphones on mute when they are not speaking.
  • If you are bringing in additional material via screen sharing, such as PowerPoint presentations or product demos to make the conversation even more productive, send the documents to participants in advance.

3. MASTER THE ART OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Do your remote salespeople know how to listen to yield results?  Listening is key to selling. There, the secret is out. Active listening requires both ears and eyes. Ever watched a show on mute (no subtitles)? You get the idea of what is going on yes, but you miss key facts. Selling without listening is akin to watching tv with the volume down to zero.
Reading Non-verbal Behaviour
Most interpersonal communication (> 55%) is non-verbal. It may be a revealing facial expression, a particular style of body language, or the subtle yet telling flicker of an eye – these non-verbal communications are key to understanding the person in front of you and how to, in turn, effectively communicate with them. If more than half of what we communicate is non-verbal then more than half of what we are trying to say/sell is being missed if we cannot master our non-verbal styles.

4. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
Just because you are not in a person-to-person scenario does not mean you can be lax in your line of questioning. In fact, it is even more vital in video conferencing to ask the right questions in order to engage and hold attention in a remote set up.

The difference between you and your competitor lies in the questions you ask clients.

Do you and your salespeople possess Advanced Questioning skills?

Or does your competition question better than you?

5. OBJECTION HANDLING ONLINE
Humans are humans, their environment will change much faster than their mindset and behaviour, therefore being objectionable is a trait even the strongest virus won’t diminish. But to protect your sales armour against the inevitable objections that come in sales, even remotely – preparation is key. Do you know how to handle an objection on the spot during a video conference? Can your team handle the heat on their own when selling remotely?

6. BE EXCITING!
Video conferencing is the prime platform to show off your presentation skills. Everyone is video conferencing now, so you need to stand out – add some spark to your next sales meeting.

How will you build rapport?

How will you break the ice?

What presentation skills does your team have?

These remote SALES SKILLS are just the tip of the learning pyramid and make up part of your bespoke  REAL | Remote Education Active Learning Program* developed around your sales team and delivered remotely by the KONA Group. *The recent changes in work from home situations globally has seen access to our REAL Learning Program skyrocket, so we will continue to fill the learning spots on a first in first scheduled basis. Call 1300 611 288 or email info@kona.com.au to secure a spot.

CONTACT US: 1300 611 288

or

email info@kona.com.au

Work From Home Mojo | 5 Ways to Keep Your Team Motivated Remotely

Here we go again! Another lockdown, and another Work From Home set up. Yep. Work From Home (WFH). Now since the last episode of remote working, we have all progressed in our systems and processes. We have all established our own WFH routines and near mastered virtual meetings and the glitches that go with them.
But, one thing that will still test us and continue to rear its heavy head, is our motivation levels. No matter how many times we do this lockdown game, in fact the more we do it it seems, our mojo always at some point suffers.
Work From Home Mojo
You know something is set in place when it becomes an acronym – that is, WFH: Work From Home. But for some of us the trending hashtag #WFH is a bit of a WTF. Work From Home. It’s not an option nor a plea for management to gift you twice a week anymore, it is now mandatory, at least for the immediate future.
Now you have almost figured out how to manage your remote employees.
  • But have you any idea how to maintain motivation on a virtual scale?
  • How do keep your remote employees fully charged?
  • How essential is employee stimulus to the performance of your business?
Monitoring moral does not mean you need to change the entire business strategy. It just means that you need to make a little more effort to keep employees driven and feeling part of a team. The proven way of maintaining staff motivation is to show you care. Simple sounding right, but how? Care can come in the form of incentives or bonuses, awards, recognition and appraisals.

But the biggest indicator you care for your staff is what you invest in themThey will see that you care for their personal growth and success, and without batting an eye lid productivity will skyrocket – even remotely.

INVESTING IN YOUR STAFF BY UPSKILLING THEM SHOWS YOU CARE
Contact the KONA Group and we will not sell to you but help you tailor the best growth strategy for your team with focus on employee motivation and coaching the manager training. Keep your virtual team realistically motivated, focus on stimulating their ideas and maintaining their mojo. Here, we’ll get you started:
WEEKLY TEAM VIDEO CALLS

MS Teams ZOOM meetings sales training with Brickworks

Be connected by staying connected. Include everyone. Akin to a normal team office meeting, this will allow your employees to have their voices heard, literally, as well as allow space to air concerns as a network. There is a lot that can be understood from eye to eye contact.  
USE AN INSTANT MESSENGER SERVICE
It’s all well and good sending emails back and forth to one another, but even these can seem a bit too formal at times. Instead, have your employees use instant message platforms that come with video conferencing software, such MS Teams or Skype, to be able to quickly fire questions across to each other, or even just to chat, feel connected and build better working relationships with one another.  
TRUST THEM
Do you doubt your remote staff are actually working the required hours each day from the comfort of their home? It’s okay, they also wonder if you know they are working the required hours each day. It’s a two-way trust. And the key to letting go and trusting both your employee and in turn have them trust you, is belief – if you’ve hired the right people in the first place, you have to give them the autonomy to go away and get on with it. A lot of people will find that they’re more productive when working remotely for a team, as they feel they need to prove that they’re getting things done without the boss nearby to check in.  
APPRECIATE TO ACCELERATE
Ensure you’re providing incentives to help encourage your remote team members. Give plenty of recognition for the great work that they do, letting them know that it doesn’t go unnoticed, despite them not being present in the office. And, where possible, offer plenty of opportunity for learning, development and growth in their role.  
KEEP THE MENTAL STIMULATION UP
  Just like an office environment, WFH can also become stale for some staff, especially if they love to socialise and network with team mates daily. Throw a new project their way with a challenge attached. Ask them to design something completely out of their realm and see what they come up with. Set them a group task or an exercises that must be submitted in pairs.

Learn more from our Virtual Business Platform.

There is an entire day’s learning and more on how to stimulate, motivate and nourish your staff remotely – it’s just a matter of you opting to invest in your team to produce results for your business. Get motivated with KONA’s remote REAL Academy. Call 1300 611 288 or email info@kona.com.au and we will help.  

CONTACT US: 1300 611 288

or

email info@kona.com.au

WORK FROM HOME PROTOCOLS OF AN E-MEETING

Protocols of an e-meeting.

In uncertain times it is vital to keep your business active, busy as well as professional – that means ensuring your staff have a solid grasp on the dos and don’ts of E-Meetings and video conferencing as virtual workplaces become the new normal.

In light of these new challenges we face as business leaders, more and more of our clients are requesting virtual training, coaching and mentoring on the below topics, to mention but a few:

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

It is important our Leaders and Managers embrace the shift in training and take on this platform as part of the development of their team.

Think about this, does your team:

  • Know how to behave in front of the camera?
  • Understand the art of non-verbal communication?
  • Have techniques to read the e-room?
  • Know how to hear not just listen in a virtual meeting?
  • Ask the correct question to captivate a segregated audience?

Work-from-home has many benefits, but it also has many pitfalls like how do you manage your staff remotely?

For a business to prevent the perils of a work-from-home set-up undermining productivity, managers must maintain face-to-face interaction with employees online – often. It’s not about ‘checking in’, rather it shows you care for how your staff are performing.

Here are essential tips for E-Meeting Protocols, however remember, the virtual employee has now become a professional discipline that needs to be managed, continuously.

CORRECT TECH

The correct software in a virtual workplace is integral.

There are plenty of cool tools and gadgets for a home office set up, but whatever the setup you go with – keep it simple.

Time means value in remote work, so you don’t want employees wasting their meeting times unnecessarily setting up devices and downloading software.

Also, by keeping things basic – using software like Skype, Facetime, and Teams, these platforms allow you to communicate virtually as well as exchange documents, view presentations and share screens.

 LIMIT TYPING

Some people find the sounds of people typing soothing, but many find it irritating, especially one finger keyboard pounders.

This applies in an office environment as well as in a virtual meeting. Be it typing notes or on the spot emailing – keep your hands well away from the keyboard in an E-Meeting.

Apart from not being annoying, you are also indicating to your fellow e-meeting participant that they have your full attention.

Note taking should be hand-written, for courtesy as well as information retention – you remember what you write better than what you type.

LIMIT DISTRACTIONS

Only keep programs open that relate to the E-Meeting.

One of the biggest indicators of disrespect is showing you don’t care – so avoid even the temptation to be distracted and keep personal tabs and programs closed during an E-Meeting.

And – stay away from your mobile!

MUTE THE MIC

Mute your microphone when you’re not speaking.

Unexpected sounds are just that – unexpected. A dog barking, children playing, sirens screaming down the street. This may not seem like much, but it can be distracting as well as annoying to the other E-Meeting participants.

So, keep the mic on mute and when it is your time to speak, un-mute the mic and talk.

SPEAK CLEARLY AND SLOWER THAN USUAL

Despite the advances in technology, connection break-ups and two-three second delays in E-Meetings are still common.

Get used to pausing after asking a question. But most importantly – speak clearly and concisely and articulate your words.

You are at work. You may not be at work but nonetheless you are working. So, dress like you would if you were at the office.

 GET DRESSED FOR WORK – EVERYDAY

You are at work. You may not be at work but nonetheless you are working. 

So, dress like you would if you were at the office.

Every E-Meeting ensure both your attire and presentation is professional.

In fact, dress for work everyday you are working from home – you’ll be more focused and productive because you’re already dressed to win.

When in an e-meeting, think about what is behind you.

THINK ABOUT WHAT’S BEHIND YOU!

Washing basket? Dirty dishes? Empty bottles from the night before? Avoid embarrassment to yourself and the business and always be conscious of what people can see in your house.

NO EATING

Would you crunch on chips or sip a slushie in an office board meeting? No. So don’t do it in an E-Meeting either. Unprofessional and messy.

Rule of thumb – if you wouldn’t do it, wear it, say it, eat it or show it in an onsite office meeting, don’t do it in an E-Meeting.

The KONA Academy Protocols of a E-Meetings Training covers all of the above tips in detail, as part of the E-Meeting Program, which also looks at:

  • Understanding the Behaviour of Your Audience
  • Reading the E-Room
  • Virtual Presentation Skills
  • E-Management Training: how to manage your team remotely

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

To organise your team’s Protocols of E-Meetings Training contact KONA on 1300 611 288 or email info@kona.com.au