Remote meeting facilitation

Remote meetings offer convenient ways to connect cross-functional teams across locations, time zones, and organizational boundaries. While virtual sessions present unique challenges, modern collaboration tools and thoughtful facilitation techniques can create engaging and productive remote discussions that rival in-person meetings.

Popular tools enhance remote collaboration when used strategically:

• Miro or FigJam for visual brainstorming and workshop activities
• Zoom or Google Meet for stable video connections and breakout rooms
• Slido or Mentimeter for anonymous polling and quick feedback
• Notion or Confluence for real-time document collaboration
• Loom for asynchronous updates and pre-recorded context sharing

Make sure that as a host, you actively manage both the digital environment and human dynamics. Establish clear protocols for audio (mute when not speaking), video (cameras on for key discussions), and participation methods (hand raise, chat signals). Create deliberate moments for contribution through regular check-ins, directed questions, and digital collaboration tools. Most importantly, combat isolation by acknowledging each participant's presence and contributions throughout the session.