StarCite Blog Space

If video or web conferencing is a significant portion of your meetings program, perhaps it's time to consider creating or fine tuning guidelines around how attendees show up for these events -- meaning how they dress and present themselves when they get on camera.

Currently there’s laptop and home computer built-in web cams that allow for visual participation, and I’ve already heard stories of people who were unaware that their images were being viewed during a meeting. Oh, yes, total embarrassment!

It used to be that you could take part in a WebEx or teleconference from home; you could hang out in your robe, pajamas (and accompanying bed head) with no problem, while participating and taking care of business.  Soon, however, it will be a whole different story. Technology will soon require your attendees to be professionally attired for virtual meetings.

I thought about this as I was reading a piece in The San Francisco Gate. Apparently, Skype voice and video calling technology, which can be downloaded free from the web and allows subscribers to call and video conference each other at no cost, will be embedded in high-definition LG and Panasonic televisions with Internet capabilities. And LG and Panasonic will sell webcams that support 720-p high-def pictures.
 
This will all be available later this year. So, I wonder how many home-based meeting attendees will be turning to their 46-inch flat screens -- to see and be seen in virtual meetings? If you haven't done it already, this might be a good time to prepare for this next generation of virtual technology by updating your policy on virtual meetings to set some ground rules on how home-based attendees should dress. Allow me to make some suggestions:

- business casual attire for virtual meetings among fellow employees, meetings with suppliers, and any non-customer facing activity
- suit or coat and tie for gentlemen, business suits for ladies for all meetings that connect employees with clients and business partners
- combed hair, a shave, makeup (for women) – you can make it a gender neutral policy by asking employees for “visually professional appearance” during virtual technology meetings.

If you're thinking that this is a trivial matter. I beg to disagree. Employees representing your company, whether at an in-person event or virtual meeting, need to present themselves professionally for maximum impact. Besides, every day...seems more like every minute...technology is changing the way companies meet and manage meetings. So isn't it a good idea to be pro-active and prepare for these technological developments to better adapt and use them to your company’s benefit?

Have you created meetings policy rules on how virtual attendees should appear on camera? If so, please tell me about them here!