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Despite the privilege of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses may unexpectedly assess their employees' productivity through group video calls or even online meetings.
Key Preparations Before Initiating a Group Video Call
If you're also working from home, this article by Mytour will share with you some things to do before hosting a group video call so that you're always proactive.
Working from Home - 12 Steps to Prepare Before Hosting a Group Video Call
Below are some things you need to do before hosting a group video call while working from home:
1. Close other applications to improve performance
Before starting a group video call or online meeting while working from home, close all the applications you have open. If multiple applications are running simultaneously, your computer will operate slower and affect the quality of the video call. This is because video calls consume a lot of computer resources.
2. Note Before Starting Screen Sharing
If you intend to share your screen during the video call with other users, first close all open tabs in your browser.
Next, on your computer or Mac, activate Do Not Disturb mode. These actions are simply to ensure that other users do not know what you have accessed or who you have messaged, ... .
3. Check Internet Connection
Before initiating a call while working from home, you should check your internet connection to ensure stability and avoid interruptions or disruptions during the call. By accessing Fast.com and Speedtest.net to check your internet connection speed.
4. Choose Good Lighting Position
Ideally, when working from home, choose a location with sufficient light for video calls so that participants can see your face clearly. If the space lacks adequate light or has dim lighting, you can use LED lights to improve lighting.
5. Video and Audio Testing
Before starting the video call, ensure your video and audio devices are connected and functioning correctly. Most online meeting applications and tools have a call testing service.
For example, on Skype, you can access the Audio and Video section under the Preferences window to test the call.
6. Position Camera at Eye Level
When working from home, the most crucial aspect is the camera placement. Aim to position the camera at eye level so you don't have to look up or down. Also, during calls, try to maintain direct eye contact with the camera to avoid others misunderstanding your focus.
7. Upgrade to New Microphones and Cameras
On newer computers and laptops, you can utilize the built-in microphones and cameras. However, for older devices, the camera may not provide clear images. If you frequently work from home and engage in online calls, consider investing in new cameras and headphones to enhance call quality.
By using headphones for video calls, the microphone is positioned closer to the mouth, resulting in better sound quality compared to using the integrated microphone on the laptop. Additionally, to minimize delays, opt for wired headphones.
8. Organize Documents
Suppose you're working from home and leading a meeting. It's ideal to prepare necessary documents and materials in advance. Additionally, if needed, you should send essential documents to your colleagues or employees before the meeting.
9. Dress Appropriately
Working from home doesn't mean you can wear pajamas or loungewear for online video meetings. This can give others the impression of unprofessionalism. It's best to prepare your attire meticulously, similar to in the workplace, before initiating the call.
10. Mute Unnecessary Noise
In a video meeting with many participants, it's best to mute when not needed to avoid echo and noise that can affect the meeting. Only unmute when speaking.
11. Focus, Focus, and Focus
Similar to being in the workplace, even in online meetings at home, you must maintain a high level of focus.
12. Courtesy and Professionalism
Suppose for any reason you need to temporarily leave the group video call, to maintain a good image in the eyes of your colleagues, it's best to address the issue in a polite and courteous manner.
These are the things you need to do before initiating a group video call while working from home. Additionally, if you have any doubts or questions that need clarification, readers can leave their comments below the article. Besides, you can refer to the Effective Remote Work Tools here and proceed to download and install it on your computer.
