With our Workflow-From-Home, Virtual-Reality continuing for most of us, here are a few additional ideas to help us navigate this new normal together, while still keeping virtual meetings, video conferences and our work more productive, engaging and dynamic, than ever. 

We need to show up for each other - as we are, doing the best we can. Physical distancing means we need connections, more than ever.  We don’t need to see a black screen, initials, or a vacation picture. We want to see each other, make eye contact; we want to feel connected. 

And, let’s face it, with the camera on, it makes us all accountable to participate, to contribute.  This one avenue of connection actually helps us to remain as productive, as possible.  On a similar note, if you are leading the meeting, it is a great practice to provide an agenda beforehand. Folks are shifting how they work, on practically a daily basis. By knowing what is expected of them ahead of time, it sets you up, sets them up and empowers everyone for success.

In today’s environment, it’s important to check in with each other and ask how everyone is doing in the first few minutes of the call. Ask to share stories, or a funny meme. It also allows us to take a minute, level the playing field. Then, everyone is better able to turn to the discussion, the agenda and the work.    

Again, physical distancing means we all need some social interaction to stay sane. Take the time to acknowledge our humanity and be available for your teammates - and they will do the same for you. When they feel you care and recognize all the moving parts they are trying to navigate, you will garner more of their attention and respect.

Don’t leave anything to chance. Create a roadmap for the next 30 days that highlights key business priorities, timelines, initiatives, measures of accountability, applicable metrics for success, even a progress indicator. Share this roadmap with everyone on your team, for both their input and for them to be on the same path. Roadmaps are usually plotted for the next 90 days. Because of COVID-19, the business and the environment are proving too fluid; so, it is fine to narrow the planning to the near future. At the same time, it will be a great document to have on hand to reference, annotate, or adjust, as needed.

Continue this paradigm of structure in your virtual meetings, as much as possible. Be mindful of giving everyone a turn to add to the discussion. Be intentional and supportive. Wrap up the meeting with a review of decisions made, next steps and who is doing what. In addition, have an understanding to also go with the flow with any work-from-home meetings (i.e. should you see the family pet suddenly appear).

Beyond the virtual meeting platform, there are many other tools and technology to support employees working remotely, serve your customers, enhance your business, engage your team. Do daily check-ins via an instant messaging, via Slack channel, for instance.  Use workflow apps from Trello to ZOHO and JIRA to focus on results and outcomes. 

At the same time, mobile learning solutions and virtual trainings are now more than likely needed. After all, learning should not stop now. It may take on a new look with more (shorter) learning stints, micro-learning sessions, or using gamification to mix it up. 

If learning technology and apps are new to you, don’t overthink it. Choose a respected, industry recognized, prevailing platform that offers an easy set-up, for both you and your learners.  Don’t let the learning technology be the learning curve. You want your users to focus on the content, while breezing around the platform. Plus, be sure you have an agile team on the provider side supporting you. Today, the elite companies have no problem stepping in to help with exceptional customer service. So, you don’t have to, nor should you go it alone for any step of the process. (Yes, proudly, these are traits of the Scrimmage technology and the Scrimmage team.)   

No matter where your organization, or team is on the spectrum of adjusting to remote employees, your quick action now makes a difference. Such steps from exploring options to setting parameters improve your ability to serve and care for everyone, as well as meeting business objectives. This semblance will also allow you to control some of this situation and its many unknown variables.  But, most of all, these actions by you will keep others inspired – and everyone connected - which is perhaps what is most needed today. 

As a take-away from our recent #WednesdayWebinar, enjoy a snapshot of the virtual tools and (fun!) ideas the Scrimmage team uses to connect! We've been a long-standing remote team and have tested many tools and technology through the years. Grab this shortcut to what we've learned - Download it here!