Edward DanielsProject Manager| IndependentGlen Burnie, Md, United States
Hi Nei, Your description of the issue is too vague "What do you do when remote meetings are not working".
What isn't work? Is it technical or logistic? This should help narrow it down....
However, in my experience with managing remote teams, I have found that having an agenda that basically includes a discussion on updates, issues encountered, deliverables / milestones are a good way to get the conversation started and moving along.
Your words, "I feel that it is due to my team connecting remotely and not interacting on the complex topics as they should". Try to get your team to answer the 5W and H (who, what, when, where, why and how) questions; it really does help to get teams engaged and the results should be moving along customer expectations. Saving Changes...
Edward DanielsProject Manager| IndependentGlen Burnie, Md, United States
Sep 06, 2017 10:04 AM
Replying to Stéphane Parent
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You may want to invest time meeting with each participant before the meeting. It allows you to understand their perspective for the meeting.
As well, after the meeting, meet with each participant to follow-up and make sure they are on board and understand their responsibilities.
The more preparation and follow-up, the easier the meeting itself will be.
Hi Stephane,
Your thoughts are right on, I personally believe in setting my teams for success and usually try to meet before any formal presentation with the customer. I always do a dry run to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities on the RACI charts and what I would need them to speak to during our presentations. Not only does it get my team members engaged and prepared, it helps polish our delivery which bodes well for integrity and competence.
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1 reply by Stéphane Parent
Sep 06, 2017 12:58 PM
Stéphane Parent
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That is a great way to prepare yourself and your participants, Edward. The unwritten rule is: nobody should be surprised at the meeting.
Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Sep 06, 2017 12:19 PM
Replying to Edward Daniels
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Hi Stephane,
Your thoughts are right on, I personally believe in setting my teams for success and usually try to meet before any formal presentation with the customer. I always do a dry run to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities on the RACI charts and what I would need them to speak to during our presentations. Not only does it get my team members engaged and prepared, it helps polish our delivery which bodes well for integrity and competence.
That is a great way to prepare yourself and your participants, Edward. The unwritten rule is: nobody should be surprised at the meeting. Saving Changes...
Christian StambouliProgram Management/Management Consulting| Ukemi WayAnaheim Hills, Ca, United States
First you need to be clear on your customer's expectations in measurable terms. Deliverables that meet these expectations must be clear and the work associated with them as well. Once you have that then communicating with your remote teams will require tackling one issue at a time and through feedback determining if your teams and team members understood what they are supposed to do. In my experience, they don't always align unless you deepen the conversation to make sure they understood your requirements. It is a frustrating process but this is our current reality. remote teams aren't going away. I hope this helps. Saving Changes...
Lenka PincotChief of Staff to the CEO| Project Management InstituteParis, France
I ran most of the meetings remotely, it's a necessity on large international projects. I always worked on the agenda and ensured that team members have assigned tasks on which that acted or reported. Most of the participants had active role on such meeting and then they all paid attention and contributed. When I needed the team to brainstorm I was encouraging team members to share their opinion by their area of expertise and I often called them round the virtual table to be sure that everyone had opportunity to express themselves. I would say it worked very well. Saving Changes...
