Working from home has taken us all out of our comfort zone, and several questions still persist about best practices for this working method.

So here we are going to answer one of these: how can you ensure a good online presence? Here are five useful tips to answer this question – especially important for meetings.

1. Use Screen Sharing

Sharing your screen makes it easier for others to see what you’re talking about, and this option allows you to keep the attention on the meeting by being more dynamic.

Microsoft Teams provides this function; you can, among other things, train a new employee more easily, organize a brainstorming session with a digital whiteboard, make a presentation, and much more.

2. Use Your Microphone Well

Mute your microphone when your colleagues are talking and speak up when it’s clear they’re done.

When your microphone is misused, it can create disturbing noises during your meetings, allow participants to hear the conversations of other people in your house, your breathing, and so on.

Do not do anything else at the same time as the meeting; keep your focus on it.

3. Don’t Be Distracted By The Camera

Do not look too much at your appearance, it can distract you from listening to others. Look at the person who is speaking and listen carefully to your colleagues.

If you are interested, we have an article on the advantages and disadvantages of communicating with or without a camera while teleworking.

If you are distracted by the fact that your colleagues can see too much of your private life during online meetings, use virtual backgrounds, or a blurred background. This practice makes it possible to avoid showing your home or the people who live under the same roof as you.

4. Find The Right Place In Your Home

Sit in a room where you will be interrupted as little as possible by those who live with you. Pick one with good lighting and the least background noise, so that you do not have interference during your meetings and can concentrate on your work.

This will also prevent your surrounding environment from distracting your colleagues when you are presenting or when it is their turn to speak.

5. Inform Your Colleagues

Telecommuting can lead to confusion about your schedules; to avoid this you can wish them a good day in the morning to let them know that you are starting your work day, and say goodnight in the evening so they know when you’re going offline. Also, if you have a conflict in your schedule, inform your colleagues of your absence. Open communication allows for better teamwork.

In Short

According to Microsoft, hybrid working is here to stay, so it’s worth improving your skills as well as your online presence, so you can excel in this method of working.

At MS Solutions, we offer training to improve your experience with telework – including training specifically for Microsoft Teams. If you have more questions, we invite you to contact an expert at 1-888-877-3365.