TalkAboutTalk

Leading online meetings (virtual meetings) is a challenge. Staying focused and encouraging others to participate is a huge challenge!  Learn 4 tactics to encourage engagement in others, plus tips on what we ourselves should be doing during virtual meetings.
Link to Printable Shownotes HERE: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes
CONTENTS

*
Summary:

*
PARTICIPATING: What to do during online meetings

*
LEADING: 4 ways to get people engaged



*
Resources

*
Transcript



SUMMARY: PARTICIPATING IN & LEADING ONLINE MEETINGS
PARTICIPATING: What to do DURING online meetings
AUDIO 

* Check your settings.  Don’t be the “you’re on mute!” guy.
* Avoid distracting loud noises. Turn off loud fans and notifications. 

EYE CONTACT

* Always look at the camera when you’re speaking.
* Drag and drop the speaker’s box so they’re directly under the camera.
* If you need a reminder, tape a note next to your camera lens – “look here!”

BODY LANGUAGE

* Start with a big smile. We all crave positive human connection these days.
* Use proper posture. Sit or stand up straight, feet planted flat on the floor. To demonstrate confidence, take up lots of space. To demonstrate engagement and openness, lean-in and be open. No crossed arms, no hunching over.
* Signal agreement by nodding and tilting your head.
* Use intentional and slow hand gestures. Show your palms. No fidgeting.

4 ways to STRATEGICALLY INTERRUPT:

* Use body language – physically raise your hand. 
* Virtually raise your hand – use the “raise your hand” tool. 
* Use the chat function.
* Create a hand-written sign. 

FOCUS

* Of course, you need to stay away from email and social media!
* Before important meetings, remind yourself of two things:

* What are the main points that’ll be discussed? Is there a framework or a process that’ll be referenced? What points need to be top-of-mind?
* Who are the key participants in this meeting? (clients, external stakeholders…)


* Print the agenda and handwrite your meeting notes on that page.

 
LEADING Online Meetings: 4 Ways to Get People ENGAGED
(1).PREPARE FOR SUCCESS

* Be explicit: Highlight the expectation for active engagement in the meeting invitation
* Be implicit: Refer to meeting invitees as “participants,” not “attendees”!
* Minimize the number of attendees. 
* Pre-issue an agenda that articulates the meeting objective. 
* When preparing your slide deck, keep it to a minimum. Less is more.

(2).MAKE IT EASY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO SPEAK UP 

* Logistics: Check-in on the agenda and technology. Typically cameras should be ON, with audio on mute. Ask everyone to silence their phones and turn calendar notifications off.
* Assign roles for everyone. There’s the typical leader/facilitator, a timekeeper, a minute-taker,…  Assign someone to moderate the chatroom. Other “advocates” (devil’s advocate, customer-advocate, diversity-advocate, etc.)
* Tell participantshow to interject, for example by physically or virtually raising their hand, using the chat function, or by holding up a hand-written sign!
* Start off with a bang. Research shows that meeting participants will engage more throughout the meeting when it starts with interaction. Share a story and get interactive.  

(3).LEVERAGE THE POWER OF NAMES  

* Mention as many people as possible by name during the m...

Actionable advice on how to communicate your personal brand online, including 3 KEY PRINCIPLES of personal branding, plus instructions for how to UPDATE, PARTICIPATE and MONITOR your personal brand online.
LINK to printable shownotes: https://talkabouttalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/68-COMMUNICATING-YOUR-PERSONAL-BRAND-ONLINE.pdf
CONTENTS

* Summary
* References & Links
* Transcript


SUMMARY: Communicating Your Personal Brand ONLINE
Personal Branding = Proactively Managing Your Identity

* Personal branding is reputation management or impression management. Ideally your personal brand transcends both personal and professional contexts.
* Managing your personal brand encompasses two main tasks:

* identifying – articulating your unique personal brand
* communicating – both online and offline, both explicitly and implicitly


* Managing your personal brand is similar to managing your credit score:

* Whether or not you proactively manage your credit score (your personal brand), you have one. Just as institutions can access your credit score, individuals are aware of your personal brand.
* The implications are significant. A poor credit rating (negative personal brand) diminishes opportunities. A healthy credit rating (ideal personal brand) opens doors.



Preliminary Ideas to Develop your Unique Personal Brand
Start with a blank sheet of paper.  Answer these prompts, then transcribe your thoughts into a digital document that you will keep updated.

* How do you want others to think about you? How does this compare to what others currently think about you? Highlight job titles, personality traits, adjectives…
* Consider your past: Think back to when you were 7-8 years old. What made you unique back then?  Has that changed? What failures did you learn from? Do you have a “transformation story”? What are some of your most impressive past accomplishments?
* Your current status: What do others think about you? What is your current identity? Role? What are you currently focused on that excites you?
* Your future: What is your dream? What do you want your legacy to be?
* What makes you unique compared to others in various contexts? Compared to your graduating class? Compared to your peers at work? Compared to your friends?
* Start a list of keywords: the words or phrases that become a core part of your identity, including your roles, your unique personality traits, or your areas of expertise.

3 Key Principles of Personal Branding

* When communicating, be generous/gracious. Not salesy! Take a tip from product brands you admire. Are they always in sales-mode?
* Keep it clear and consistent. Just like product brands can’t be “all things to all people,” neither can you. What’s your one key message? Are you recognizable across media
* Keep it updated. Just as product brands evolve over time, so too do people. Yes that photo of me when I was 25 yrs old is lovely.  But if I don’t keep my photos (and other information) updated, I might shock people when they meet me on Zoom or IRL. 


(image: Unsplash @ tma, Tianyi Ma)
Communicating your Personal Brand Online – 3 Tasks: UPDATE, PARTICIPATE, MONITOR
UPDATE
1.    Websites
–       Check corporate and personal websites
–       update your bio, contact details, photo, etc.
2.    Social Media
–       At a minimum, focus on your headline (title,

Here's your online meeting preparation checklist! We cover technology requirements and recommendations, your physical space, and your personal appearance. Preparation can fuel success in virtual meetings.
Link to Printable Shownotes HERE: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes
Link to Printable "Meeting Prep Checklist" HERE: https://talkabouttalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/69-ONLINE-MEETINGS-Preparation.pdf (see pg. 3)
CONTENTS

*
Summary

*
Online Meeting Prep Checklist

*
Resources

*
Transcript


SUMMARY: PREPARING FOR ONLINE MEETINGS
Your Technology

* Stable internet connection!
* Recommended tech hardware:


* Corded earphones – no worries about the connection or the batteries
* A ring light.

* Enable the videoconferencing platform

* Do you need to download an app?
* Check your background and your title (name) before the meeting starts





Your Physical Space

* Where are you?

* Not seated on your bed! Ideally we cannot see your bed.
* Lighting should be natural (as in daylight) and indirect (no sunbeams on you). No shadows. Use a ring light, if that helps. The light source should be in front of you, not behind you. Face the window or the light.


* Tidy up

* Check out ROOM RATER on Twitter or in this article for tips
* Nothing in view that’s too personal, inappropriate, untidy nor distracting.


* Furniture set-up

* Sit or stand up straight. Your kitchen or dining room table and chair are fine!
* Ensure you have a big enough platform for your computer, papers and whatever else you need close at hand during the meeting. Consider a standing desk.


* Adjust your camera to be at eye level

* We don’t want to look up your nose or down on your big shiny forehead!



Your Personal Appearance

* On top: Solids look better than patterns. Blue is a universally flattering colour on camera
* Wear pants….I had to say it
* If you wear jewelry, make sure it’s quiet

Online Meeting Prep Checklist

* Keep this list in the notes on your phone, or perhaps on your bulletin board above your desk. Update it as you think of things that help you be more productive in meetings.
* See printable list HERE: https://talkabouttalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/69-ONLINE-MEETINGS-Preparation.pdf. (see pg. 3)

 
Online Meeting Prep Checklist
Technology

* Stable Wi-Fi connection
* Quiet (no loud fans & ask your “room-mates” to shush)
* Microphone & earphones
* Videoconferencing platform (downloaded, check audio settings, background & name set)
* Phone on silent mode. Close all other windows on computer and turn OFF notifications 
*
*

Physical Space

* Lighting set up
* Tidy
* Table & chair set-up
* Camera at eye level
* Small water glass (on another table in case it spills!)
*

Actionable advice on how to communicate your personal brand online, including 3 KEY PRINCIPLES of personal branding, plus instructions for how to UPDATE, PARTICIPATE and MONITOR your personal brand online.
LINK to printable shownotes: https://talkabouttalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/68-COMMUNICATING-YOUR-PERSONAL-BRAND-ONLINE.pdf
CONTENTS

* Summary
* References & Links
* Transcript


SUMMARY: Communicating Your Personal Brand ONLINE
Personal Branding = Proactively Managing Your Identity

* Personal branding is reputation management or impression management. Ideally your personal brand transcends both personal and professional contexts.
* Managing your personal brand encompasses two main tasks:

* identifying – articulating your unique personal brand
* communicating – both online and offline, both explicitly and implicitly


* Managing your personal brand is similar to managing your credit score:

* Whether or not you proactively manage your credit score (your personal brand), you have one. Just as institutions can access your credit score, individuals are aware of your personal brand.
* The implications are significant. A poor credit rating (negative personal brand) diminishes opportunities. A healthy credit rating (ideal personal brand) opens doors.



Preliminary Ideas to Develop your Unique Personal Brand
Start with a blank sheet of paper.  Answer these prompts, then transcribe your thoughts into a digital document that you will keep updated.

* How do you want others to think about you? How does this compare to what others currently think about you? Highlight job titles, personality traits, adjectives…
* Consider your past: Think back to when you were 7-8 years old. What made you unique back then?  Has that changed? What failures did you learn from? Do you have a “transformation story”? What are some of your most impressive past accomplishments?
* Your current status: What do others think about you? What is your current identity? Role? What are you currently focused on that excites you?
* Your future: What is your dream? What do you want your legacy to be?
* What makes you unique compared to others in various contexts? Compared to your graduating class? Compared to your peers at work? Compared to your friends?
* Start a list of keywords: the words or phrases that become a core part of your identity, including your roles, your unique personality traits, or your areas of expertise.

3 Key Principles of Personal Branding

* When communicating, be generous/gracious. Not salesy! Take a tip from product brands you admire. Are they always in sales-mode?
* Keep it clear and consistent. Just like product brands can’t be “all things to all people,” neither can you. What’s your one key message? Are you recognizable across media
* Keep it updated. Just as product brands evolve over time, so too do people. Yes that photo of me when I was 25 yrs old is lovely.  But if I don’t keep my photos (and other information) updated, I might shock people when they meet me on Zoom or IRL. 


(image: Unsplash @ tma, Tianyi Ma)
Communicating your Personal Brand Online – 3 Tasks: UPDATE, PARTICIPATE, MONITOR
UPDATE
1.    Websites
–       Check corporate and personal websites
–       update your bio, contact details, photo, etc.
2.    Social Media
–       At a minimum, focus on your headline (title,

Online networking is the only networking these days! Executive recruiter Sharon-Mah-Gin shares advice on how to approach people when networking online, how to follow-up, as well as general networking advice. There are many reasons to be optimistic! Just remember: “With true networking, it’s really not about you. It’s really about building relationships with like-minded people. And the benefits will come later.”
CONTENTS

* Summary
* References & Resources
* Andrea’s Introduction
* Interview Transcript
* Andrea’s Conclusion


SUMMARY
GENERAL ADVICE ON NETWORKING
Reasons to be Optimistic

* “Just continue and push on.” Don’t hesitate just because we’re all WFH. We have more time now. This is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to people.
* There are jobs out there. Vacancies from retirements, people moving on and growth industries.
* People are being hired after virtual interviews, without being met in real life. In other words, the Zoom or Teams interview is sufficient enough.
* COVID can be a catalyst or an excuse for reaching out and/or for you getting a little more personal with people in your online network.
* Good news for Introverts: The physical isolation associated with COVID may be easier for introverts, who are typically great listeners. Listening is a key skill for successful networking.

Like-Minded

* Sharon recommends online networking with people who are like-minded; people with whom the conversations are natural, and who leave you feeling energized and better about yourself.

Sharon Mah-Gin & Andrea Wojnicki
It’s Not About You –

* Networking is always about giving and not receiving. Start with an offer, especially in the beginning it's really about building relationships with like-minded people. As Sharon says, it’s really about “how can I help YOU?”
* Things to offer: insight, a video, course, advice, support, a connection…

APPROACHING PEOPLE THROUGH ONLINE NETWORKING
Kick start your online networking with LinkedIn. 

* Keeping your LinkedIn profile updated and professional might be a competitive advantage for you.
* Use the filtering function. Filter by geography if you want to go for a walk with someone. Also filter by discipline, by firm, etc.
* Grow your online network by connecting with your connections’ connections.

Consider the catalyst for your connection – why are you emailing?

* Suggestion to use something positive as a catalyst, like the video or course that Sharon recommends (see Resources)
* Any newsworthy article, video, course, even a meme
* Use COVID as the catalyst. “I’m just checking in.  We used to do coffee every few months.  Wanna meet for 15 minutes and get caught up?”
* Virtual coffees and “walk’n’talks” are becoming more accepted.

The GREETING

* “How are you? “ is no longer just conversation filler. Ask people, how are you?

FOLLOWING UP WHEN YOU’RE ONLINE NETWORKING
Be more patient.

* You never know what’s going on. They might be dealing with a lot. 

Follow up with a maximum of 3 requests:

* Two emails, then a phone call a week later.

Thank you notes are easy and very much appreciated.

* They’re also a great opportunity for you to emphasize the one takeaway you want to reinforce, or maybe something you forgot to say. As Sharon says, thank you notes are your second shot.


REFERENCES
Sharon Mah-Gin

* LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonmahgin/
* Executive Search Alliance – http://www.execsearchalliance.com/

Recommendations

Top 3 lists from Andrea and Talk About Talk, including the top 3 Talk About Talk podcast episodes and newsletters, Andrea’s favorite podcasts, plus communication insights from 2020 and focus areas for 2021.
Printable shownotes with links: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes
CONTENTS
• Summary & Resources
• Transcript

SUMMARY & RESOURCES
Top 3 most downloaded Talk About Talk PODCAST episodes
#1 is NETWORKING with executive coach Sharon Mah-Gin.

 
#2 is COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF EFFECTIVE LEADERS with executive coach Heather Stark

#3 is COMMUNICATING WITH CONFIDENCE: Mental Preparation, where I share the 4Ps of mentally preparing to communicate confidently

Top 3 most clicked-on Talk About Talk NEWSLETTERS
#1 is “Talking Taboo”

#2 is “Words Matter: Racism & Taboo Topics”

#3 is “Talk About Introverts & Extraverts”

Andrea’s Top 3 COMMUNICATION INSIGHTS from 2020

* Growth Mindset – Talk About Talk is grounded in a growth mindset. A growth mindset is critical for communication superpowers: listening, storytelling and communicating with confidence. (If you’re a Talk About Talk follower, chances are YOU have a growth mindset!)
* Online Communication – The increased prevalence of online media means new skills required to excel in this online world. The online environment is now the paradigm for every communication context and topic.
* “How are you?” – The question “how are you?” has a whole new meaning and focus in our conversations. What used to be conversation-filler is now a genuine question. (This is a silver-lining of COVID!)

Top 3 FOCUS AREAS for Talk About Talk in 2021

* Online communication – The digital domain is now the default. We need to step-it-up in terms of our online communication.
* Online workshops – Talk About Talk will be offering more online workshops for firms who are investing in their people’s development.
* Personal Branding – Stay tuned for your opportunity to identify your compelling, customized, personal brand, then learn to communicate it confidently to the world!

Andrea’s Top 3 FAVOURITE PODCASTS

* The Pivot – with Kara Swisher & Scott Galloway

Sleep can help us be more effective communicators, improving our sociability, not to mention our immunity, hormonal regulation, mental health, and memory. Biohacker & biotechnology scientist Oksana Andreiuk shares how to get more sleep, including increasing our sleep opportunity beyond 8 hours, controlling our environment, ways to calm our minds, and more.
Link to printable shownotes: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes
CONTENTS

* Summary
* References & Resources
* Andrea’s Introduction
* Interview Transcript
* Andrea’s Conclusion


SUMMARY
WHY SLEEP IS IMPORTANT

* ALL BODILY SYSTEMS are impacted by sleep. Sleep helps with hormonal regulation, immunity, appetite control, emotional control, and stress management.
* MENTAL HEALTH – While we sleep our spinal fluid acts like a detergent to wash away any cellular waste and debris from between those cells. And if this doesn’t happen, this can lead to accumulation of that damage and formation of plaques which are implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic sleep deprivation is implicated in mental health disorders, like anxiety and depression.
* MEMORY & LEARNING – While we sleep, our brains form connections that help us process and recall information. Lack of sleep can negatively impact short and long term memory. Sleep also affects our ability to concentrate, problem solve and think critically.
* SOCIABILITY – Sleep affects our brain’s capacity for self-control (reactions and emotions) and for social intelligence (including our desire for social proximity and interaction).


Oksana Andreiuk & Andrea Wojnicki
 
SLEEP TACTICS – HOW TO GET MORE SLEEP
(1) CONTROL YOUR ENVIRONMENT – LIGHT & TEMPERATURE

* Our body clock or circadian rhythm is impacted by light, so make your bedroom dark.
* A few other things you can do starting early evening:

* wear blue light blocking glasses
* use a red screen or install an app on your devices to block blue light
* turn down your thermostat



(2) DIET & NUTRITION

* No caffeine in the evening. Avoid large meals three hours before bedtime.

(3) EXERCISE

* Some say avoiding exercise 3 hours before bedtime will help you wind down. But then research also shows that strength training exercise around 6pm can boost deep sleep.

(4) SUPPLEMENTS

* Oksana suggests several “rescue supplements,” reminding us to not take any supplements chronically, for long periods:

* Melatonin – Magnesium bisglycinate
* Passionflower – L-theanine
* 5HTP + GABA – Valerian root



(5) CALM YOUR MIND

* Meditation can be self-guided or with a guided meditation app like Headspace or Calm
* Binaural beats – project different sound frequencies in each ear, relaxing your brainwaves.
* Journaling – especially in the evening.

(6) COLD SHOWER

* It sounds drastic, but cool down your core body temperature with a cold shower!


REFERENCES
Oksana Andreiuk, M.Biotech
Talk About Talk IMMUNITY episode:

* https://talkabouttalk.com/46-biohacking-podcast/

Social Media (@CanadianBiohacker)

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadianbiohacker
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanadianBiohacker/
* Youtube: https://www.youtube.

“Any leader who doesn't genuinely step into culture as a business imperative, five years from now will look back at this as one of the greatest missed opportunities of their time in leadership. Your culture can unleash all sorts of creativity that you can't begin to imagine. And if you're a leader and you don't see the chance to do that right now, you're missing the greatest opportunity – that’s being handed to you, on a plate.” (Hilton Barbour, 2020)
Printable Shownotes HERE: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes
CONTENTS

*
Summary

*
References & Resources

*
Andrea’s Introduction

*
Interview Transcript

*
Andrea’s Conclusion



SUMMARY: Communicating Corporate Culture
 HILTON'S 2 "CULTURE CHALLENGES" FOR LEADERS IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT

* SEEK TO OBJECTIVELY UNDERSTAND YOUR CURRENT CULTURE

* Leaders are probably the least objective about the cultures inside their organization.




* BE HUMBLE AND VULNERABLE

* No one’s crystal ball is working right now! By being honest and vulnerable, by trusting your people, you can provide the opportunity for your organization to genuinely thrive, and for you to create a culture that attracts talent like a magnet.




DEFINING CORPORATE CULTURE

* Culture is how we act, behave, and make decisions to fit into an organization.
* Culture is how the edges of your organization behave on your very worst day.

* Do you TRUST your employees? Are they empowered to do the right thing for the right reasons? And what will they do on their worst day?


* Culture is a marker of the commitment of your people. (Stan Slap)
* Culture is about how decisions are made (Edgar Schein)
* Evaluating corporate culture:

* Culture is not binary. It’s not simply good or bad.
* Is your culture is able to accelerate the delivery, execution, and activation of your strategy? Or is it impeding the execution of your strategy?
* Customer-centricity is an outcome of culture, not an objective. As such customer-centricity serves as a barometer of the health of your culture.



 
COMMUNICATING CORPORATE CULTURE

* Communication is absolutely foundational to establishing a positive corporate culture.
* Similar to marketing messages, consistency is key – over time and across media
* Great people and great organizations succeed in this busy world based on what they think, what they do, and what they say (Ron Tite)
* Cultural artifacts: tangible and intangible signals or queues that communicate the culture (the strategic plan, the values, mantras and slogans, walking the talk…)
* Communicating corporate culture is like coaching a professional sports team. You’ve got to be testing the edges every day. Ask yourself, am I getting the maximum out of these people? What can I do to inspire them to even greater heights? What am I doing that's impeding their ability? Hilton says that's what true leaders who “get” culture obsess about.


 

REFERENCES
Hilton Barbour

* https://www.hiltonbarbour.com/
* LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiltonbarbour/
* Twitter – @ZimHilton
* Recommendations:

* “PIVOT” podcast (Scott Galloway & Kara Swisher) –

Learn 5 key communication insights for educators, including the positive impact of technology in the classroom.  Chris Besse shares how edtech platforms like Edsby make education more student-centric, they enable communication and collaboration, they enable accessibility and immediacy of information, and they encourage students to learn how to learn.
Link to Printable Shownotes: https://talkabouttalk.com/podcasts/#shownotes
CONTENTS

* SUMMARY:

* 5 Communication Insights for Educators
* 5 Benefits of Educational Technology Platforms


* REFERENCES
* ANDREA’s INTRODUCTION
* TRANSCRIPT
* ANDREA’s CONCLUSION

SUMMARY 
5 COMMUNICATION INSIGHTS FOR EDUCATORS

* How to interpret teaching advice: Accept teaching advice about what NOT to do (i.e. common teaching pitfalls) at face value. However, be skeptical of prescriptive advice about what you SHOULD do in the classroom. 
* Leverage the power of storytelling in the classroom. Stories are engaging and memorable.
* Seek the ideal level of confidence in the classroom with a growth mindset.
* Go multi-media.
* Embrace technology.

5 BENEFITS of EDUCATIONAL-TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS

* A shift in focus from education being teacher-centric to being student-centric.
* Improved communication and collaboration amongst key stakeholders: students, teachers, parents and administrators.
* Teachers spend more time interacting with students, less time on preparation and administrative duties.
* Enables accessibility and immediacy of information and feedback regarding students’ progress. It’s like getting a report card every day. More importantly, access to this information can prevent late diagnoses of learning disabilities. And when the information is data, data analytics can be leveraged.
* Ed-tech platforms encourage students to learn how to learn. Students have access to a familiar, private, social media-like system. Guided by their teachers, they can learn to explore what’s on the platform and beyond, and then become life-long learners.


REFERENCES
Chris Besse & Edsby

* Chris on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-besse-24b03b11/
* Edsby – https://www.edsby.com/


Andrea Wojnicki & Chris Besse at
“THE FUTURE OF LEARNING” Ensemble Conference, October 2020
 
Other Resources for Educators

* “THE FUTURE OF LEARNING” Ensemble online conference:

* video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJXimdr3bT0
* website – https://www.ensembleco.com/volume-13


* Mistakes of new teachers – http://ajjuliani.com/15-mistakes-new-teachers-make-learned/
* Benefits of multi-media – https://www.nuiteq.com/company/blog/5-benefits-of-multimedia-learning#
* Confidence vs arrogance – https://talkabouttalk.com/what-is-confidence-blog/
* Parenting teens and online learning with learning strategist Kimberley Acres – https://talkabouttalk.com/49-parenting-teens-podcast/

Talk About Talk & Dr. Andrea Wojnicki