Tool to optimize the way you communicate
In this episode, host Ricardo Berris, talks to Rosemary Ravinal, Zoom Mastery Expert, about a tool to optimize the way you communicate.
-Rosemary has worked as a corporate leader public relations head for companies such as Avon, Discovery Channel, and recently at Univision. Through these positions she found her love for helping executives be more powerful when it comes time to speak. She found they speak in a dominant language and in a second language, a weaker language. Her specialty became coaching CEOs and presidents of companies how they could do an effective speech in the other language. She helped to build their confidence and found a way for them to deliver the same information with authority. This was going extremely well until March 2020. When the world changed, Rosemary had to figure out how to make a curriculum out of it. Like many companies, she decided to go virtual.
-Rosemary wanted to be a public speaking coach but had to ask herself how her expertise, skill, and talent could be used when people were scrambling to figure out how to convey their presence, run meetings, and deal with the ubiquitous Zoom meetings while working from home? How could she show up for people who were uncomfortable being in front of the camera? How could she help with team building and productivity?
-Zoom isn’t the only platform Rosemary helps with. Her knowledge can be applied to any video platform.
-According to Rosemary, what are some missed opportunities when video conferencing?
- Not turning on your video camera is a wasted opportunity when it comes to brand building.
- 90% of our brains process visual information with only 10% auditory. If you don’t show up, you are giving away 90% of your business! Not knowing how to turn the camera on, not looking good, not getting dressed that day, or having a messy workspace are no longer excuses. We’ve had a year to learn and get it together. Companies are saving money by having their people at home so it’s not longer an option to not have the skills to get on a virtual conference.
- Showing your face is as important as knowing how to use the different features of the program you use for virtual conferencing. The course of the meeting starts with you. How you show up determines the future of your business, your career, and your brand. It will influence your reputation in ways you can’t even imagine. Don’t lose your career over misusing this opportunity.
- Be mindful of what people see. Everything says what we stand for, what we believe, what value we bring, what service we offer, everything. Surround yourself with things that are product or service related . Populate your shot with things that are thematically appropriate and things that offer a lot of visual data that complement what you’re saying.
- Show up well dressed for the occasion as well as appropriateness of the occasion. Be well groomed. Consider the lighting and the positioning of the camera by framing yourself well and getting the lighting in front of you so you can be seen. If these aren’t in place, would you do business with you? Your client has to be able to have visual clues that they can trust you with their business.
- With all these people in a grid on your screen it’s important you’re not static. If you’re leading a meeting, be animated, have good body language, and use a good vocal variety to keep people interested.
- Allow different people to have a variety of rolls during the meeting like monitoring chat or taking on different parts of the agenda. You can also do polls or breakout sessions. This allows you people to stay engaged.
- While someone else is talking, nod or smile. It’s always nice for the person talking to feel acknowledged. Even though you’re virtual, you can still be human.
- You make an impression in the first 7 seconds so make it a good one.
- Understand that every piece establishes trust and you have to work a little harder on virtual platforms.
–How can you set up your Zoom space?
- Know your equipment. It doesn’t have to be fancy.
- You can invest in lighting but natural lighting is great.
- Make sure you have an interesting background to give yourself some personality: globes, framed pictures, vases, sports memorabilia, etc.
Rosemary offers a mini Zoom camp , at no cost, on the third Wednesday of every month from 4 to 530 eastern time where she discusses best practices.
