How to Determine When to Make Your Meetings In-person or Remote

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies have had to quickly pivot to become remote-first or hybrid workplaces. This shift has caused a lot of confusion about when it’s appropriate to hold in-person meetings and when it’s best to keep them virtual.

In this article, we’ll discuss the best practices for determining when to make meetings in-person or remote, post-Covid-19.

Understand the New Normal

The reality of the wake of the pandemic is that there are many health and safety concerns that must be taken into account when deciding when to make meetings in-person or remote. It’s important to understand the new normal and what that means for your organization and its employees.

If you’re in an area that has relaxed pandemic restrictions, then you may feel more comfortable holding in-person meetings. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that not every employee may feel comfortable attending an in-person meeting, even if they live in an area with relaxed restrictions.

Consider the Benefits and Drawbacks of In-Person and Remote Meetings

When deciding whether to make meetings in-person or remote, it’s important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of both.

In-person meetings can be beneficial in that they allow for better communication and collaboration. They’re also great for team building and fostering relationships.

However, they can also be more time-consuming and expensive to set up. Additionally, if the meeting involves employees from different areas, it may be difficult to get everyone in the same room.

Remote meetings, on the other hand, are more convenient and cost-effective. They also allow for greater participation from employees who may not be able to attend an in-person meeting.

The drawbacks of remote meetings, however, include reduced collaboration and difficulty in fostering relationships between team members.

Consider the Type of Meeting

When deciding when to make meetings in-person or remote, it’s important to consider the type of meeting that is being held.

For example, if the meeting is focused on brainstorming or problem-solving, then an in-person meeting may be more effective. This is because it allows for more collaboration and face-to-face interaction.

On the other hand, if the meeting is focused on providing information or updates, then a remote meeting may be more effective. This is because it allows for more participation from remote employees and is less time-consuming.

Evaluate the Necessity of the Meeting

Finally, when deciding whether to make meetings in-person or remote, it’s important to evaluate the necessity of the meeting.

If the meeting is essential for the success of the project, then it may be worth the effort to organize an in-person meeting. However, if the meeting is not essential, then a remote meeting may be more appropriate.

Final Thoughts

When deciding when to make meetings in-person or remote, it’s important to consider the new normal, the benefits and drawbacks of both in-person and remote meetings, the type of meeting being held, and the necessity of the meeting. With these factors in mind, you should be able to make an informed decision about when to make meetings in-person or remote.