It’s all about the tone.  And not just the message.

Since most workplaces have gone on work-from-home or flexible workplace arrangements back home, the lifestyle that Filipinos have long been accustomed to, has also drastically changed.

With the work-from-home setup, came the blurring of home time versus work time situations.

Because WFH (the respectable acronym for work-from-home), has allowed a convergence of lifestyles—that of the personal and career when work is done from the traditional work routes and spaces to a private home.

But this blurring of privacy at home must not take place even at the onset of choosing a WFH lifestyle.

Let’s say for example a recurring facet of WFH–the usual business meetings which can be conducted on any available or popular platform. These days, the most popular of which are meetings held in Zoom and Google Meet.

Before going into a WFH busy status and going live for a business meeting, one must have all the necessary think fine points.

This is to make sure a meeting will be held in the best environment possible.

The Ideals of a Business Meeting

A meeting, whether it is for a company or a business, must always have the proper decorum to be followed.

This decorum must be outlined by the company. Or the expectations spoken by the administrator of the business meeting.

It is important at the onset of a worker’s WFH arrangement that standards are given. So, everyone will act in the same manner that is totally acceptable during the meet.

The Dont’s of a Business Meeting

1.  A cliché’ agenda. 

Each meeting must be purposive. Not repetitive.

Everyone who is participatory in a business meeting must be properly informed of the nature, urgency, or relevance of the meeting. 

A lack of preparedness starting with the agenda can dictate the success or failure of a meeting for that day.

Because time is precious, meetings must not be verbose or litany-length.

The important topics in the agenda, must in themselves, be able to justify the need for a particular meeting.

As much as possible the agenda must be printed out, and not just casually spoken.  A soft copy of the agenda is acceptable.

2. A meeting conducted like a command center for ego-bloating is not a business ideal.

There is nothing wrong with showing leadership during the meeting.

But the one initiating it must give chance for everyone to speak up and give inputs.

A meeting is not a one-man show, even if you’re the ranking officer at the top of the helm of the agenda.

The participants must act unequivocally appropriate at all times. One must not speak to another with condescension even when a debate arises during the meeting.

Study the best appropriate tone that is acceptable to everyone, whether you are a non-executive or an in a position of authority.

3. Blurting ‘sugary’ side comments that are NOT APPROPRIATE for business meetings.

Reserve personal comments to another important occasion. Not during a business meeting.

A meeting attendee must be respectful, without patronizing your colleagues or officemates.

Know the words you’re inclined to use in your conversations in formal or casual settings.

Mind your tone and language.

Make proper adjustments to your word usage and tone when you’re at a point you think your language no longer makes a better impact.

4. Fault-finding or filibustering is counter-productive during business meetings.

Make everyone matter.

And make every voice count. This is the business ideal.

Providing solutions raised as part of an agenda does not necessitate fault-finding.

The reason for holding a meeting is to give everyone inclusivity of thought, contribution, and action.

And a chance to share positivity of ideas for the company.

Fault-finding can break down communication thoughts and put barriers to a meaningful discussion. Dominating a meeting that almost feels like “filibustering” can hinder a participant’s progressive ideas that can make things better for the company.

Checklist before conducting a business meeting

1. Plan your WFH environment. Make the best possible use of your WFH setup by using the workspaces and gadgets to an optimum level.
2. Advise your home mates or family members EARLY on that you have a meeting on a specific date and time.  Do tell others also they can contribute to the utmost peaceful audio environment. Get a backdrop that would be most conducive to others. Or that which would resonate your business ideals or agenda.

As a friendly suggestion, the background for a meeting must be in business formal, not casual.

Because arguably, it is better to err on the side of formality than err on the side of casual causality.

Thank you for reading FATED TO WRITE by ANNA. Please like, comment, or suggest a topic for my blog. Have a pleasant day.