Zoom Protocols (more than wearing pants) + My Formula for Zoom Professionalism
Most of us have well-established protocols / habits for communication over Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc. at this point. While I choose to wear pants or shorts on my Zoom calls, I do not care if you are wearing the same.
Just do not jump up when you spill your coffee or when the doorbell rings or when your dog does something idiotic!
I have spoken to business development pros (“BDRs”) who are genuinely engaged in understanding my firms’ needs and our approach while others make it very obvious that the conversation is viewed as solely transactional.
The transactional treatment does not matter if I am buying an app that solves a particular gap BUT if a BDR is selling relationship-based services such as marketing, human resources, systems, accounting, consulting, etc., the process cannot be treated as transactional.
Never rush the end of the call or you look like an idiot!!!!
Observing one’s sign-off gives me the opportunity to get a read on the individual.
When someone rushes off the call, it is an indicator, in my opinion, of an urgent rush to another call or some level of a disingenuous (transactional) approach to the pitch.
My Zoom Maxims
I know this subject has been kind of beat to death at this point but, whatever.
- Join or start your meeting BEFORE your prospect joins. My rule is to join via the meeting link about 3 minutes prior to the start time. It is eager but not too eager. Think back to the “call in 2 or 3 day debate” in college.
- Keep smiling until the Zoom call cuts off. This is SO important in addressing what I mentioned above.
- If you need to rush to another call, it is OK to have to get off quickly as long as you have stated how much you enjoyed the call and that you have to leave for a specific reason. If you are leaving the call abruptly to meet with a client, make it clear that clients are critical and you like to be on time for all meetings. Discipline and structure are typically perceived positively if delivered smoothly. Some may disagree but I am more of an open book that many people I know.
- Keep your cursor away from the “End Meeting for All” button so you do not rush your sign-off, even if by the accidental fast click of your fat and arthritic gaming forefinger.
- EVEN if you have to rush to your next call, WAIT for your prospect to leave the Zoom meeting first. You should not be in a rush to get off. — — — — — — — -See Maxim #3 above.
