VIRTUAL COMMUNICATION—WHAT WORKS?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly everyone had to adjust quickly to conducting most communication virtually, both personally and professionally. Sometimes these communications worked well; other times, they went awry or were simply ineffective. For this Discussion, you will reflect on your experience with both effective and ineffective virtual communication to help determine best practices.
To prepare for this Discussion:
Think about both the personal and professional virtual communication you have had recently. Choose one or two interactions that were effective and one or two that were not. For each, consider specific factors that led to the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the virtual communication in meeting its intended purpose.
BY DAY 3
Post an analysis of the effectiveness of virtual communication. In your analysis, do the following:
Briefly describe one or two effective virtual communication situations and one or two that were ineffective, providing the context and purpose of each.
For each of your examples, analyze at least two distinct factors that contributed to its effectiveness/ineffectiveness in meeting its intended purpose.
For each of your examples, analyze the effect of the interaction on the overall outcome and relationship (if applicable).
Based on these experiences, propose a suggested list of 3–5 best practices for effective virtual communication.
Analysis of Effectiveness in Virtual Communication
Effective Virtual Communication:
- Virtual Team Meeting:During a recent virtual team meeting focused on brainstorming project ideas, our team leader used an online whiteboard tool to allow everyone to contribute visually. This encouraged real-time collaboration and kept everyone engaged. Clear communication of the goal (brainstorming) and the tool's functionality beforehand ensured everyone felt comfortable participating. The result was a productive session with a wealth of creative ideas.
- Client Presentation:A recent client presentation delivered virtually felt flat and lacked engagement. The presenter relied solely on slides with text-heavy content, making it difficult to follow. There was also limited use of visuals and no opportunity for questions or interaction. This resulted in a disengaged audience and potentially missed key points.
- Collaboration Tools:Utilizing the online whiteboard fostered a sense of working together even in a virtual space.
- Clear Communication:Setting expectations and providing instructions beforehand ensured everyone was on the same page.
- Presentation Style:The reliance on text-heavy slides made the content difficult to digest and visually unappealing.
- Lack of Engagement:The absence of audience interaction and a Q&A session limited the presenter's ability to gauge understanding and address questions.
- Utilize Collaboration Tools:Leverage online whiteboards, shared documents, and breakout rooms to encourage participation and real-time interaction.
- Focus on Visual Communication:Use clear visuals, concise text, and multimedia elements to enhance audience engagement.
- Promote Interaction:Incorporate Q&A sessions, polls, or chat functions to keep the audience engaged and ensure understanding.
- Be Mindful of Technology:Ensure a stable internet connection, familiarity with the platform, and a professional virtual background.
- Communicate Clearly and Concisely:State the purpose of the communication upfront, structure your message logically, and be mindful of nonverbal cues like tone and body language (if using video).