How can we make online meetings more productive?
The productivity of online meetings depends less on technology than on meeting culture.
The biggest problem with online meetings isn’t their length; it’s their lack of purpose. A meeting without an agenda falls apart even more once it goes online.
A productive online meeting has three rules: a clear agenda, a clear expected decision and a clear owner. If who will do what isn’t written down by the end, the meeting isn’t finished.
Rather than debating whether cameras should be on or off, it is more productive to discuss how people participate. Short rounds in which everyone gets to speak largely solve the problem of silent participants.
Finally, consider the asynchronous alternative. Most meetings held to share information can be handled faster and more durably with a well-written note.