How to Promote Engagement by Cindy Stradling CSP. CPC

How to Promote Engagement (when you cannot see the audience)

Recently I was asked to include some tips on how to promote engagement during a conference call into one of my training programs.  I reached out to my Alliance partner who delivers virtual training and she shared the following tips:

Use Language that promotes engagement:

ASK:  What questions do you have?  Instead of: Are there any questions? (this will often result in silence)

STATE:  I’ll give each of you a minute to write down your question and we will begin with  _____________________

Optional Questions to Ask:

If you had a question, what might it be? 

What question mike someone else on the call have?

Whenever possible enforce a “No Mute” rule.

Check with group regularly (every 6 minutes of 3 slides)

Call the behaviour (ie: I am hearing silence and not sure what it is about).

10 Conference Call Etiquette Tips

1.    Distribute an agenda. Start and stop on time.

2.    Arrange call in non-lunch hour times.

3.    Treat the same as a face-to-face meeting

4.    Be on time (if moderator, send dial in information several times).

5.    Participate with the assumption your line is never muted.

6.    One person speaks at a time.

7.    Don’t shuffle papers.

8.    Do not take another call.

9.    Do not use hold button.

10.Speak loudly, clearly and identify yourself when you speak.