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As Covid-19 runs roughshod over the globe, manybusinesses have had to shutter their offices and/or send employeesto work from home in an effort to contain itsspread. That means that suddenly phone meetings are taking theplace of office meetings – and that a lot of people areabruptly having to cope with working remotely when they may never have doneso before.

If you find that you have to have one of these meetings and youhaven't done it before—or even if you have—you'll need someguidelines on how to do so, so that you don't shoot yourself in thefoot by, say, forgetting to include some people who would have beeninvited had they been in the office or failing to make sureeveryone has the necessary materials in advance.

And it's not just for the person running the meeting; those onthe other end of the phone line need to follow some basic rules,particularly since they may now be working in the same space as aspouse or partner who is also suddenly working from home.

Below you'll find some suggestions from a range of sources,including Miro.com, Slack.com, Fast Company and Interaction Associates, for best practices onhow to make those meetings work, even under today's difficultcircumstances.

15. Review: Review your list ofdesired attendees to make sure you've included all thestakeholders.

14. Verify: Verify that schedules don'tconflict and choose a time, insofar as possible, that includesemployees in different time zones.

13. Check: Check with employees to see whetherthey can Skype or use other computer-based conferencing. If not,make sure they have a phone number for dialing in and a passwordfor the meeting.

12. Procedures: Review the dial-in or loginprocedure with any attendees unfamiliar with the process, andperhaps even conduct a dry run before the actual meeting.

11. Send: Send out agendas and any additionalmaterials in advance, so that everyone is on the same page.

10. Introduce: Make sure to introduce and/orrecognize the attendees, just as you would if you were all in theoffice.

9. Mute: Remind everyone to mute their lineswhen not speaking so that others can be heard.

8. One at a time: And while you're at it,remind everyone not to speak at once. If you're running themeeting, make sure everyone has a chance to speakuninterrupted.

7. Ask: Make sure to solicit input from yourparticipants; participation will hold their interest.

6. Minutes: When the meeting is over, don'tforget to send out minutes and supporting documentation, as well asany recordings.

5. Camera: Those working from home need to bemindful of any live video links, lest they show up in their pajamasnot realizing that others can see them.

4. Sounds: If you're at home, don't dial in tothe call from the bathroom and expect that potentially embarrassingsounds won't be heard. They may not be remarked on, but they'll benoticed.

3. Quiet: If you and your partner are bothworking from home, be considerate about where you set up yourteleconference so that your significant other, also trying to focuson work, isn't sucked into your meeting instead of concentrating onhis/her own reports.

2. Prepare: Make sure all your materials areprepared and in good order, just as you would if you were attendinga meeting in the office.

1. Resist: Resist the urge to play solitaire orMinesweep while you listen to others' presentations.

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