Now We're Talking... Virtually!
Wind back less than a month and our world was so different. Fast forward mid-lockdown and everything in our work, leisure and lives has changed.
Every one of us has been sucked up into a giant Dyson vacuum cleaner at super-speed and spat out into a New World (not the supermarket). As the ultimate technophobe and ostrich, I’ve had to raise my head out of the sand. There is no option.
The world is adapting to a new way of communicating to keep people safe. Online is where it’s happening.
If it’s a news interview or a virtual meeting, we’re having to create our own mini TV studio in our bedrooms or kitchens.
And a lot of you are not doing yourselves any favours.
Scrub up. This is the new normal. For media interviews, conferences and internal communication, it’s now up to you to get you and your platform sorted to ensure you’re looking, sounding and being your best.
There is no time to waste. Like so many others, our company’s had to be nimble. We’ve spent time re-formatting our training and support to provide virtual sessions.
Amanda Millar & Company is one of the country’s thousands of small to medium enterprises.(SMEs) that felt the impact very early on.
“The difference between mere management and leadership is communication.”
We received the calls from various clients during Level 3 saying, “Sorry but we will have to postpone our training until we don’t know when…”
Hmmmm… none of us had ever thought about building a ‘pandemic clause’ into our engagement contracts. So that was it. What next??
Ironically, at a time when I thought I was finally going to have time to be Marie Kondo, Nigella and Mary Poppins all rolled into one, our company has been busier than ever.
People need help adapting. We’re now seeing Skype, Zoom, FaceTime and all sorts of platforms with varying recording quality become our communication tools.
Just because you’re in your jarmie pants sitting in your bedroom in front of your screen, doesn’t mean you lower your professional and communication standards.
You must adopt the same preparation and presentation investment that you would for any major speaking event or interview. Be prepared. Know what you want to say and how you will say it.
Here’s am&co’s five most important tips to ensure you get you and your message right online:
Have your webcam at eye level and look into the lens – NOT at the person. This will ensure you keep eye contact and engagement. It will feel weird but you’ll get used to it. It’s how you have to deliver in TV ‘live cross’ interviews. If you’re looking down at your laptop, the lens will be looking up your nose. It won’t be flattering. Make sure you are centre frame. You are the main act, after all.
Create an appropriate background. Avoid windows (burn out) behind you and distractions. We don’t want to see your laundry piled in the corner. Create a professional and clean backdrop.
Look your best. Just because you don’t have a camera crew or a live audience in front of you, that doesn’t mean you let your standards drop. Do your hair. Straighten your posture. Wear appropriate clothes. Have your game face on.
Get the technology and lighting right. Allow some natural light or lamps to flatten out any contrast. Make sure the sound and the picture are clear.
Be your best & most succinct YOU. Keeping people engaged via a screen is harder than being in the room with your audience. Provide even more energy, emphasis and conviction while keeping to the point.
Now more than ever, effective communication and leadership is important when so many of us are anxious, uncertain and fearful.
We have a responsibility to keep communicating to ensure our teams and the public feel connected at such a fractured time in our lives.
The way we talk and the messages we provide are essential to the mental wellbeing and welfare of those we are responsible for. This is critical to every one of us. After all, we are living through history.