Who bought shares in Zoom? This easy peasy remote meeting platform has gone gangbusters in the age of COVID-19, along with technologies like GoToMeeting, Google Hangouts, WebX and Skype. You, your staff and your customers need to be comfortable with these new digital tools and modes of delivery to keep doing business brilliantly.

Here are three steps to building a thriving remote work force.

1. Reassure clients and customers. Email is your friend. Reach out to your client base to let them know you’re still the same great provider - just online. Share exactly how you’ll be delivering your service now that COVD-19 is a thing, and encourage them to see these changes in a positive light.

2.     Upskill your team. Whatever platform/s you’ve decided to use, make sure your team is up to speed. Dedicate time to tutorials, familiarisation exercises and group practice runs. The ability of your staff to problem solve and deliver the same excellent service depends on their confidence using new tools and technologies. Don’t cut corners.

3. Draft a cheat sheet. Is video conferencing your new normal? Anticipate technological pitfalls and draft a cheat sheet. Outline the etiquette: to mute or not to mute? Should the host pause occasionally to give participants opportunities to engage? Is the host aware of features in the conferencing platform that allow members to interject? Remember that non-verbal cues that are apparent in face-to-face meetings may be harder to pick up on in the digital environment. There’s a lot to be learned, but a workplace Video Conferencing Cheat Sheet will help.

Taking your team online? Give us a buzz if you need advice on how to set your team up thrive. Call us on +61 2 8880 9383 or metis_at_metislaw.com.au.