I like the way you zoom
Conference call etiquette: What are the new rules when working from home during quarantine for marketeers ?
Working from home: a modus operandi newly bestowed on many during the coronavirus pandemic, yet for some it’s been a part of their normal life for years. Are we seeing a snobbish divide between the newbies and the old-timers? What about the tech savvy and the dinosaurs? There are those who can, and clearly, those who can’t or shouldn’t. While viral videos circulate of people being caught accidentally naked on a zoom work call, and people get used to seeing each other’s living rooms, for anyone working in marketing right now it’s important to define the code of practice for zoom or other video meetings.
The art of showing up
Firstly, actually showing up to your zoom call and looking like you knew it was going to happen is all important. “I couldn't download the software” is a great excuse, but only really works the first time. Likewise, joining late is going to piss off your colleagues, given they are exposing more of their home-life for longer than you. Remember, whilst we are on lockdown and children and pets are now acceptable in the background, they will steal the show. You need to decide if you want them to. Tidy away everything (and everyone) you don’t want in view before the call, always.. just in case. Remember your pen, and notebook for that matter so you can take notes and look interested. Wash your face.
To coffee or not to coffee?
What is your chosen drink? A green smoothie looks good and looks like you are on some kind of a lockdown health kick, but may leave bits of spinach in your teeth. Water is another good choice. Depending on how long your conference call lasts, I would recommend having some drinks to hand. (Soft drinks of course.) Tea is a good one. Beware of eating during a conference call. It’s not cool. Don’t do it. Or do do it, if you want people to watch you eating. The same for chewing gum. Just don’t.
What to wear
Do you need to wear masks on your call? Probably not, but it can help with bonding, chit chat and covering up a breakout or two.
You do however need to wear clean clothes ( at least on the top half- within the shot) and headphones so you can be heard and hear clearly.
Screen sharing
If you are new to screen sharing, beware: If you share your screen: Everyone can see your screen. Everyone. Can. See. Your. Screen.
Where to sit
Do you go for the home office look, or a casual kitchen table kind of vibe? It’s really up to you. Now we have the world coming to its knees due to coronavirus, people are remembering to #bekind. So, you should feel the love radiating from your colleagues as they casually glance at your home. You should not feel you have to put on a show or pretend to live somewhere better than you do, obvs. I mean who is going to judge you, right?
Be Kind
The new world order means we are experiencing a new level of tolerance. Tolerance for unprofessional working from home set ups, tolerance for background music, background noise of family arguments and pets, but this won’t last. The oldies who have already got a home office set up, will stand out a bit from the charming newbies who are sitting at a messy kitchen table.
The new stand up meeting
Now we are #beingkind, small talk at the beginning may drag on more. That’s cool. But the daily stand up is now a sit down. Be prepared for this lasting a little longer than usual.
The art of ending the call
Once you have discussed what is needed, someone needs to end the meeting. Do you say bye, hang around for a debrief, or do you just hang up? The main thing is leave like you mean it. The big red leave meeting button is important, so you can be sure that the rest of your colleagues don’t hear you arguing with your spouse after the call.
