Bonni Stachowiak, a professor and host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, shares her expertise on running effective online meetings. She emphasizes understanding the purpose of each meeting, whether it’s to connect or brainstorm. Bonni highlights the importance of timing and transitions, suggesting tools like BombBomb for richer communication. She also addresses engagement strategies, recommending inviting participants to unmute for dialogue, managing audio quality, and ensuring proper lighting. Her insights are invaluable for navigating virtual environments.
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Meeting Purposes
Define a clear purpose for every meeting using Mamie Kanfer Stewart's framework: connect, align, decide, ideate, plan, or produce.
If a meeting doesn't serve one of these purposes, consider alternatives.
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Asynchronous Communication
Explore asynchronous communication methods like BombBomb for connecting, aligning, or deciding.
These methods can be more efficient than synchronous meetings and offer richer communication.
question_answer ANECDOTE
BombBomb for Rich Communication
Dave Stachowiak uses BombBomb to send short video messages, providing context and avoiding lengthy emails.
This method works well for updates or information that benefits from tone and expression.
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The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide
Bonni Stachowiak
This book offers practical strategies and tips to help higher education professionals efficiently manage their work and use various technologies and productivity tools. It addresses challenges such as managing asynchronous content, streamlining communication, grading productively, and keeping course materials current. The guide draws on productivity principles from authors like Stephen Covey and David Allen, and provides actionable steps for improving personal productivity in academic roles.
Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed
Bonni Stachowiak is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, a professor of business and management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, Bonni was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. She is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*.
Key Points
Be apparent about the purpose of your meeting: connect, align, decide, ideate/brainstorm, plan, or produce. Discover more from Mamie Kanfer Stewart.
You need to be more apparent and intentional about timing, transitions, and facilitation in an online meeting than with an in-person one.
Use a service like BombBomb* for video messages that don’t require live interaction.
Unless background noise or size of the meeting prevents it, invite people to “unmute” so you can have richer dialogue without interruption.
Alert people if they have audio issues. Get headsets for your team, if possible. We use and recommend the Jabra Evolve line* of USB headsets.
Number one rule for lighting: position light in front of you and not behind you. If the front light can be natural (i.e. facing a window) even better.
Resources Mentioned
BombBomb* (free 14-day trial)
How to Combat Zoom Fatigue by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy
COVID-19 and Videoclassism by Taharee Jackson
Related Episodes
How to Lead Meetings That Get Results, with Mamie Kanfer Stewart (episode 358)
Seven Tools to Create Margin and a New Podcast (episode 411)
The Power of Why Over How, with Gina Bianchini (episode 460)
Connecting Over Video (The Look & Sound of Leadership)
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