How the Pandemic Forever Changed the Way We Hold Meetings

Although it’s indisputable that the coronavirus pandemic has permanently transformed our day-to-day experiences, this is arguably no truer than in the workplace. One of the core aspects of any daily routine in the workplace is meetings. Whether held internally to discuss strategies or externally to expand your market or touch base with clients, the pandemic has irrevocably changed how we hold meetings – beyond the obvious shift of forcing meetings into the virtual sphere. These changes, whether beneficial or not, are likely to remain a part of the new normal long after the pandemic ends (can you believe it’s been over two years?!), and new changes will likely continue to emerge. Some of the changes that have already made a significant impact include:

1. Many tasks are relegated to email threads or later calls.

Meetings such as brainstorming sessions were once tightly scheduled and structured meetings that required a hefty time commitment and the presence of as many team members as possible. These meetings encompassed the entire brainstorming session, including setting goals and planning strategies. Meetings are now held as calls and are generally limited to a short discussion of goals with the actual brainstorming session, and other follow-ups are left for a later date or held in the form of an email thread. Holding lengthy meetings is no longer as practical as it once was, forcing us to change how we view brainstorming sessions.

2. Location doesn’t matter.

While it’s easy to expect local colleagues or clients to attend an 8 a.m. meeting, plans become complicated when dealing with overseas clients or remote employees. The pandemic’s shift towards virtual communication has made people far more comfortable tuning in from around the globe and offering their input into your meetings – no matter where in the world they are. Geographic freedom not only gives employees opportunities to work from anywhere in the world but also allows you to expand your marketplace and onboard clients in new countries.

3. Meetings start and end punctually.

Unfortunately, when it comes to physical meetings, unnecessary delays are par for the course. Colleagues and clients will often need to finish up a few things on their way in, stop to make a cup of coffee, or say goodbye to their last client. Other delays may be caused by traffic, delayed flights, or issues with public transportation. Most of these issues vanish with tightly scheduled virtual meetings that allow all attendees to add their input from the comfort of their homes. This ensures that meetings can begin and end without delays.

Although not all the changes attributed to the pandemic have been positive, it is essential to acknowledge and account for them and how they affect the way we conduct our everyday lives- including meetings. These changes may have been caused by sudden upheaval, but they are likely to remain, and virtual meetings will continue to be the standard method of conducting both local and international meetings for the foreseeable future.