Best practices for a remote workshop

Which best practices can help teams achieve their workshop goals?

• Select the right tools and activities: Test selected tools before the session and make sure you understand all the intricacies. If you introduce a new facilitation tool to a team, make sure learning how to use it won't take a ton of time. Plan and practice the activities you're going to conduct step-by-step, so there's no confusion about what comes next.
• Don't skip warming activities and icebreakers: While not all team members will be excited about icebreakers, don't skip them. They help people relax, get their minds off the topic for a while, and be more open during workshop discussions.
• Create a respectful and friendly environment: Simple things like a stable internet connection and backup are crucial and show professionalism. Be ready to quickly switch to a mobile network in case of wi-fi instabilities. Check the quality of your audio and video, set the appropriate background, and make sure your family members and pets won't interrupt you during the session. As a facilitator, you should encourage them to participate in the discussion and make them feel their opinions are valued.
• Get feedback, evaluate, and improve: Before the workshop, think of a way to gather feedback after the workshop. It can be an online survey covering aspects like activities, software, workshop duration, atmosphere, and insights. This information will help you improve future sessions and make them more productive.^[1]