Prior to the outbreak, a lot of boards were preparing to go virtual. It’s therefore more important to communicate effectively when not in a face-to-face setting. Some of the methods that work in person meetings may not work for online communication. However some minor changes can make a huge difference.
Set up a schedule for video calls or emails. Having a designated schedule prevents members from falling behind on board communications and will ensure that they check their emails on a regular basis regardless of whether it’s meeting day or not.
Use video conferencing or screen sharing to give your board members the full experience of in person collaboration. These tools enable audio and video communication, which is essential for building trust within your team.
Be sure to designate an individual to take notes during your meetings. The person who is chosen must be able to document every motion verbatim with the information about who made the move and how it was subsequently seconded, and what the outcome of the vote was.
Using a whiteboard application that provides real-time markups allows your virtual coworkers to feel more connected to your conference. One of the more popular choices is Freehand, which enables you to draw on a whiteboard with markers, and even allows for a group chat. It does not allow you to share documents or files however, so if you’re looking to communicate audio, visually or via text on the board, then you’ll need a different app. Mural is another alternative. It is a whiteboard with advanced features, and is well-suited to teams of any size. It is also compatible with other applications.
a knockout post about Strategic Alliances and Virtual Data Room Integration
