Virtual Meetings: It's Prospects, Challenges and the Way Out in the Nigerian Society

 

In todays Nigerian society, the phrase “virtual meeting" has quite a number of definitions.

To the Chief Strategy officer in Adexen, a global HR company in Lagos, who seeks to seal a partnership deal with a company in Europe in these times, the phrase “virtual meeting" is a valuable solution to his problem; a means to achieve his goal. A virtual meeting will help him engage in a real-time interaction with his prospective partner and possibly seal the deal over the Internet without the struggle of brazing the COVID-19 atmosphere, just to have a meeting.

To a salesperson or marketer, a virtual sales meeting is a dream come true. The technology responsible for virtual meetings has made it possible for them to spread their marketing tentacles to every part of the world, to be able to conduct virtual sales meetings with a prospect who lives in a different part of the world.

But, let's bring it home. To a Nigerian student, a virtual meeting or virtual learning classroom is supposed to be an online classroom that would engage students fully in an interactive, online learning experience such as lectures, discussions and tutoring. Which would in turn, not only cushion the already brutal fall of the Nigerian educational system following the impact of the COVID-19, but also enable Nigerian students to complete their education a lot faster.

However, that phrase is now considered a faux pas by the government in the ears of Nigerian students due to the inadequacies of the government and the challenges associated with virtual meetings outlined below:

1. Difficult decision making processes:

It is usually difficult for virtual team members to make decisions during virtual meetings. This lays on the fact that most of them find it difficult to express their opinions or ideas during the meeting because of some the other challenges mentioned here.

2. Differences in time zones:

The difference in time zones is one of the strong challenges in virtual meetings. The virtual team that is to participate tend to forget the different time zones, and might not fix a suitable time for everyone.

3. Slow internet connection and lack of power supply:

This causes a huge problem when the team members try to establish connection with each other. The communication process during the meeting is usually slowed down due to slow internet connections. And, virtual meetings are non-existent without internet connection.

Also, some parts of the world like Nigeria do not have steady power supply. So, it will be nearly impossible to organize virtual meetings or online learning in such environments.

4. Background noises from the participants:

Distractions are often caused during the virtual meeting as a result of the background noise from the participants or virtual team.

You could be a victim of inappropriate ringtone, a barking dog, television sound etc. It most times causes you to lose focus during the virtual meeting.

5. Lack of gadgets and software issues:

Some people do not have access to gadgets that can help them join the virtual meetings or online learning.

Also, problems usually arise with the video conferencing software. It is usually stressful when the participant cannot set up the software, or while communicating, unknown errors occur which is caused by the computer device or computer software itself.

Nevertheless, even though these challenges make it seem impossible for a productive virtual meeting of an organization or school learning, the following are efficient ways in which these difficulties can be curtailed.

1. Create Sufficient Time.

A lot of time should be allotted for the meeting so as to enable the involvement of the virtual team and participants in the meeting agenda. In allotting sufficient time, a general convenient time should be fixed, addressing the difference in time zones if need be. This would help to prevent difficulty in the participation of all members in expressing their ideas and opinions.  

2. Have A Backup!

In dealing with technical issues such as lack of gadgets, slow internet connection, electricity issues and so on in a Nigerian society, a way out is to create a backup plan as technology can be managed but not controlled.

This backup plan includes storing up events of the virtual meeting through recordings (for both audio and video), by the virtual team. On platforms like Zoom and Google Meet, it is quite possible to record meetings by enabling it in the settings. This is done so those who experienced technical issues can still be knowledgeable about the progress of the meeting afterwards. This would also help in establishing an archive, which could be resorted to later on.

3. Find A Quiet Place and Stay Quiet.

A virtual meeting requires full concentration as participation is from home or any other place of convenience, where there could be loads of distractions. A way out is to find a quiet, suitable area. Also, endeavor to turn off the mic of the device until there's need to speak. This would help to avoid noise that would distract the meeting as a whole.

All over the world, there are several platforms like zoom, Google meet, Google Classroom etc. on which virtual meetings are held majorly due to the pandemic, and various challenges have been pointed out. However with the execution of these, virtual meetings can be implemented, enjoyed and productive. 

We would love to know where you stand on this issue, please leave your thoughts in the comment section.

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