I’m Talking Now! Avoid Speaking Over Others on a Video Conference and Other Tips

This week I was planning to write a post about productivity tips for Localization Project Managers and Translators, but I find it a bit strange to write about productivity when a lot of people are suffering so much because of the coronavirus. I will save that post for another time when things get better

My post this week is about something different, I want to blog about video conferences, an activity that has skyrocketed in recent days.

I normally do a lot of remote video conferencing, so in a way, the COVID-19 has not dramatically changed my work habits, even so, this week I broke my records of meetings and virtual catch-ups.

I just opened my Outlook, I went to the Calendar view and I counted a total of 37 video conferences from March 16 to March 20. Of course, I include a meeting there that I have never had before. And I loved that one 😍 Beers Hangout Meeting! Good initiative! And this was a good reminder that social distance does not mean social loneliness!

What I observed throughout all these meetings is that you can clearly guess people who are used to speaking in video conferences compared to the people who are more used to face-to-face relationships being physically in the same place.

And, how do I guess?

Well, in the number of times we interrupt each other while talking, in the way we keep time in conversation and overall in the flow of the meeting. Of those three elements, the major element that contributes to that awkward feeling is when one participant talk over another.

 I have prepared an infographic that I have compiled from tips and tricks. Download HERE in PDF format. I think can be useful to all of us when it comes to fully exploit these virtual meetings, both work and social!)

I hope you find this list of best practices useful.

And remember, everything will be fine! As human beings, we have a capacity for resilience, and creativity, which is in these tough moments we are living, when it comes out of us with a force that we did not even know we had inside.

Have a wonderful week and stay safe!

@yolocalizo