Hybrid board meetings are now the most common practice as board members return to face-to-face meetings. This new method allows the meeting to be held in person and remotely cutting costs while increasing accessibility. No matter if your company chooses all-virtual meetings, in-person meetings with remote attendees, or both, it’s important to establish meeting norms and expectations to ensure everyone feels valued. To achieve this, it’s crucial to ensure that the technology is properly optimized and that clear guidelines are set for participation.
Hybrid board meetings aren’t without challenges. Some board members might be disgruntled by not being permitted to interact with each other in the same room, or feel difficult board members that their contributions are not as valuable because they are unable to provide a face-to-face context to their peers’ comments. Experts in meeting design suggest that you concentrate on proactive measures that promote collaboration. This includes opening virtual rooms to encourage interaction during and before meetings, and during breaks. You can also use tools such the board portal to manage your board’s work.
Another issue that is common is the existence there are different levels of technological proficiency among board members. Some remote participants may not be able to attend the meeting, or their participation might be hindered due to poor video or audio quality or a poor internet connection. You can assist your board in navigating these challenges by instructing them on how to utilize technology and ensuring they have the right equipment in place prior to the meeting.
