Leading Virtual Meetings

Distribute relevant information prior to the meeting- including the meeting, objectives, agenda, specified time zone of start/end times, ground rules 

Limit agenda items so that the entire call can be completed in two hours or less, if necessary break the meeting into several calls

Ask participant to submit preliminary input and ideas before the meeting

Request for multiple people at the same location to assemble together in a conference room or other suitable office/environment

Create a list that shows the name and location of each person expected in the meeting

Conduct a role call, ask each person to state his/her name and location

Inform-excite-empower-involve in your opening words- Inform participants of the meeting purpose, Excite them about participation by explaining the benefits, Empower them by letting them know the authority they've have given, Involve them by asking a Type B question that engages them

Add any specific ground rules to assist with "remote meeting etiquette," such as - Announce yourself while joining or leaving the meeting, always identify yourself before speaking, avoid using the hold button

Use round-robins frequently to get input from everyone, Establish the order early and follow it each time

Establish a verbal method for doing consensus check, such as round-robin, where each person  indicates agreement or disagreement

Use a meeting software that allows participant to view on computer the information that is recorded while the session in ongoing

Do considerable summarizing and use frequent prompts and play back questions to make sure that everyone is comprehending and focused

Review all issues, decision and action items prior to end the meeting

Publish a re-cap immediately after the meeting