Web Conference Top 4 Meeting Icebreakers | Business

By TylerVaughn
Total views: 8
Word Count: 361

Nothing's worse than a stuffy meeting, except maybe a meeting where everyone's afraid to participate. We all know a quick icebreaker can kick things up a notch, but sometimes we forget to include online meetings.

Being in an online meeting is intimidating for many people. They don't know the web conference technology, are unsure how to break in and comment politely, and don't have nonverbal cues to tell them how comments are received.

If you're running an online meeting you'll want at least one of these icebreaker tips:

1. At least get an introduction

You'll always want to at least have everyone introduce themselves. (If I'm in a meeting I want to know who else is on the call, don't you?) If it makes sense for your meeting, have them add something person about themselves. I like to guide the personal side with a question -- favorite pet, something fun about themselves we may not know, best vacation spot, you get the drift.

2. Why are we here?

Help everyone understand the reasons for the meeting. You might ask each person to share one thing they want to get from the meeting. Advanced online tip: if you have interactive chat in your web conference software, have everyone type in their answer. Think of it as a quick software orientation inside the icebreaker.

3. Use a visual puzzle

Use a powerpoint slide to display a question or visual puzzle. This icebreaker technique is a chance to make sure the web conference software works for them. If you plan to use the webina's document annotation tool, have them try that feature out too.

4. Take a survey

If your webinar software supports it, post a survey for attendees to take. It can be an on-topic survey, particularly good as a lead-in for a training meeting, or even a "fun facts" set of trivia questions. If you give the survey results (and the correct answers) later in the meeting it can make a nice break when the energy starts to flag.

Decide on an icebreaker (or two) for your next online meeting. Your attendees will appreciate it.

About the Author

Tyler Vaughn ran many online meetings working for a Fortune 100 technology firm. Find out more about getting web web conference free trials at his virtual meeting review website

You are here Articles > Business