As board members return to in-person meetings, hybrid board meetings are the new norm. This new method allows the meeting to be held in person and remotely simultaneously cutting costs while increasing accessibility. It is crucial that your company establishes meeting norms and expectations, whether you decide to have all-virtual meetings or in-person meetings with remote attendees. To achieve this, it’s crucial to ensure that the technology is properly optimized and clear guidelines are in place for participation.
Hybrid board meetings are not without challenges. Some board members might be unhappy that they aren’t able to meet with their peers in the same room. Others might feel that their contributions are less valuable since they aren’t able to provide context to their peers. Experts in meeting management recommend that you focus on proactive measures that promote collaboration. This includes opening virtual rooms to encourage interaction prior to and during meetings, as well as during breaks. Additionally, you can utilize tools like a board portal to centralize your board’s activities.
A common issue is differing levels of technical knowledge among board members. Some remote participants may not be able to attend the meeting or their participation may be hindered by poor audio or video quality or an unreliable internet connection. Educating your board on how to make use of the technology and making sure they have access to dependable equipment prior to the meeting will help them overcome these issues effectively.