ZOOM!

So, we’re on our third week of working from home, and everyone’s learning to Zoom!
 
Whether you’re meeting with your team via Zoom, Skype, or just a plain-old conference call, I saw a list in the Albany Business Review that I thought was worth sharing.
 
According to Mary Abbajay, President and co-founder, Careerstone Group, LLC, “Everybody hates [conference calls] because no one knows how to run them.” She continued that when a conference call is poorly run, people are “eating, texting … going to the bathroom … working out … taking other calls, because you’re not engaging them.”
 
Here’s my take on some of her tips for better conference calls:

• Start and stop on time
• Mute your line unless you’re speaking *CMR stares hard at that person typing with a SHOVEL*
• Say your name before you speak
• Create and agenda – and stick to it
• Open and close strong
  • Use the first minute to clearly state the purpose of the meeting
  • Use the last minute to state what happened and outline next steps

The thing is, I’ve been working from home for over a year now, so while it’s new for a lot of you, I’m used to it. As I said to the friendly neighborhood CPA who prepared my taxes, “I don’t see what the big deal is, I’m wearing the same jammies that I was last week!”
 
I realize that I’m luckier than most, with a full office setup. Further, I’m not trying to oversee distance learning for children, so I can actually focus on work. My husband has only telecommuted a few times, but I hope he’ll soon be able to join me hunkered down at home.
 
So, how are you holding up? Do you have any tips to share for seasoned – or newbie - work-at-homers? Drop me a line and let’s make #SmallTalk!
 
PS: That’s ZOOM, Z double-O M, box 350, Boston Mass, 0 – 2 – 1 – 3 – 4 – send it to ZOOM!
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