The Return Of Face-To-Face Meetings – Are You Ready?
Vaccinations are going into arms and there is light at the end of the tunnel – before we know it, normality will be back and we can go about our business as we did before the madness began (hopefully).
Vaccinations are going into arms and there is light at the end of the tunnel – before we know it, normality will be back and we can go about our business as we did before the madness began (hopefully).
We always have to have an air of caution when making such remarks, as developments are happening all the time, but it looks as though we are (finally) on the final straight out of this thing.
In the pandemic, we have become accustomed to Zoom calls, where we only have to worry about what we are wearing above the waist. Now (shock horror) we actually have to pay attention to what’s down below (don’t be filthy) as we re-enter the meeting room with people in the flesh.
Whether you are meeting a business partner, customer or attending an interview, remembering the correct etiquette is essential. As the pandemic still hasn’t quite gone into the background, there are other procedures that must be followed to ensure everyone remains Covid-secure, such as maintaining your social distance and fist or elbow-bumping instead of the customer handshakes or embraces.
Look the Part
You could be forgiven for being a little dressed down on a video call because, after all, you were at home. Along with millions of workers, trousers were furloughed during lockdown. Now, we have to bring them back out of temporary retirement as we head back into the place of business.
After so long, you may have forgotten how to make yourself look presentable for work matters, rather than looking as though you have just gotten out of bed in a rush.
Adding accessories to your usual business suit such as designer cufflinks, bracelets and shirt studs will not only mean you look good, but you also feel good. To leave a little extra something for anyone you are meeting, why not spray your favourite scent for good measure? This has always been a good way of making sure you are remembered – this, of course, was not possible through video calls.
Punctuality
Make a good impression, especially if you are meeting a potential employer for an interview! That means that not only should you not be late, but you should make a point of being early. Make sure to arrive a good 10 to 15 minutes before your interview time, as this shows that you are keen and a good timekeeper.
Late arrivals, unless they have an exceptionally good reason why, tend not to get the job. If you know you are going to be late, possibly due to traffic (which is something we haven’t had to contend with during lockdown) or you have gotten lost (in which case you should have planned your route better), make sure to call in so as they are not waiting around for you.
Meeting Rooms
We have already touched on this earlier in the post, but as we are still in the midst of a pandemic, you will still have to be mindful of the environment you are in. This means ensuring there is adequate space for social distancing and that the meeting room is well-ventilated.
If you are not happy with the amount of space you have at your disposal, especially if you are planning on having multiple attendees present, you may also wish to consider booking out an external meeting room that can meet your needs.
As we venture back into the world, there is bound to be some element of readjustment that will be needed. This, though, should be met with glee rather than dread. Video calls are soon to be a thing of the past (at least to the extent as they have been).