Town hall meetings are an important part of doing business. They can help energize a team, focus them on a goal, work through big topics, and so much more. In the past, these town halls took place in large physical spaces like office buildings and convention centers. However, with COVID pushing many companies to permanently shift to remote work, town halls are now virtual.
While you may think a digital town hall would be less effective than an in-person one, that is not the case. Having a town hall online can be just as if not more beneficial than having one in-person. Virtual town halls have many benefits and advantages over in-person ones.
For example, virtual town halls are often much cheaper. Since they do not require a physical space, concessions, etc, you will save money on those expenses. Digital town halls can also encourage people who are more typically shy to engage in the discussion. Another advantage is the feedback on town hall meeting. Again, those who may be more shy might be willing to share their feedback more openly in a digital space. This feedback can help you craft even better town halls in the future.The benefits that virtual town halls have are numerous.
It is important to first understand the basics of town hall meetings. You might be wondering, “is it townhall or town hall?” While most people do not have a preference and either could be used, town hall is technically correct according to the AP style book. Another common question is, “what is the town hall meaning?” Simply put, a town hall is a large all-hands-on-deck meeting that typically covers a large topic, such as yearly reports or a new initiative.
Another crucial aspect of virtual town halls is town hall meeting software. This software is what actually allows your town hall to take place. It is where the presentations will happen, where attendees will watch, where discussions will be had, etc. This means that software is a vital part of your town hall’s success. You should carefully consider all of the available software options and choose the one that best suits your needs. There are tons of options out there that offer very different things, so be sure to take your time and make a good decision. Choosing the wrong software could end up wasting your time and money, so try to pick a good one from the start.
Let’s spend some time focusing on the virtual town hall meeting itself. As mentioned before, these meetings can have a massive impact on your business. They can get you and your team focused on a goal, on the same page, educated on a topic, ready to work on a new project, and more. When done right, a town hall meeting in company can give you a major advantage over your competitors. Don’t miss out on the opportunity that these meetings have to offer.
That said, putting on a great town hall is easier said than done. Town hall meetings are very complicated with a lot of different aspects to consider. If done wrong, town hall meetings can end up confusing your team and making them less effective in the long run. This means that you have to be very careful and thorough when planning your town hall to ensure that all goes well.
For example, corporate town hall meetings internal communication can be a struggle for many. Clearly and effectively communicating internally is an issue that many businesses and organizations deal with, but it is incredibly important for town halls. Everyone involved with the meeting has to be on the same page or else things will not go well. Being able to communicate your needs, desires, issues, struggles, and more are a crucial part of the town hall process.
Another example is the virtual town hall theme. Every great town hall has a theme, so you will need to come up with one for yours. However, coming up with a great unique theme is difficult. A good theme needs to be exciting, enticing, unique, and engaging. Try looking around online for examples of themes and get inspired by them. Consider using a theme you find online that’s been proven to work. Using a theme proven to work can help take your town hall to the next level.
You cannot have a town hall without ideas. These virtual town hall ideas will end up being the substance of your town hall. They will define what your town hall ends up being. This makes ideas one of the most critical parts of planning a town hall.
An easy way to come up with ideas is brainstorming. It is a basic method, but it is one that nearly everyone uses. Just taking some time to sit down and come up with ideas will help make your town halls better in the long run. You can also look online to find ideas for virtual town hall meetings. These ideas usually come from industry leaders and experts, so you are bound to find some great ideas to use in your own town hall. There is nothing wrong with learning from the best, so take their ideas and make them work for you town halls.
How to make town halls more interesting is another big part of the idea process. Your ideas should serve a purpose of making your town hall more interesting, engaging, exciting, memorable, etc. This will translate into a town hall that is more effective in the end, which is your goal. Again, checking for ideas online is a great way to get inspired. These ideas can help get you started and point you in the right direction. By taking advice from the best, you can ensure that your town hall is as good as it can possible be.
The town hall meeting agenda is another crucial part of the town hall planning process. The agenda will be your guidebook and layout for the meeting. Everything that will happen during the town hall should be laid out in the agenda, from town hall meeting topics to fun team-building activities. This means that your agenda will ultimately define what your town hall is. Because of this, the agenda is one of the most important parts of planning a town hall.
One of the first things in your agenda will be a town hall meeting invitation to employees. This invitation may seem insignificant, but it can have a huge impact on your town hall. First impressions are hard to get over, meaning your invitation can define how attendees perceive the meeting. A great invitation can get them excited about the meeting, encouraging them to prepare properly. On the flip side, a bad invitation can make them apprehensive about the meeting and make them want to procrastinate. Your invitation should be informative, exciting, and engaging. Look at some examples of town hall invitations online. These examples can help you figure out what an invitation should look like, what should be included, etc. If your invitation is done well, your team will be ready to go to your town hall.
Another often overlooked aspect of planning a town hall are creative names for town hall meetings. It may seem unimportant, but again, these little things can have a huge impact on your town hall. An exciting and creative name can get your team hyped up for the meeting and ready to be engaged. A boring and bland name can make them apathetic and disinterested. Don’t overlook the importance of a creative name for your town hall.
Last but not least is the town hall software you choose. As previously mentioned, the software you choose can have a big impact on the way your town hall turns out. It can make or break your town hall. This makes choosing a good option for your specific needs absolutely essential. However, that can be difficult considering the multitude of options available.
From Filo to Zoho Connect, the options are nearly endless. This presents a challenge for those looking for a virtual town hall software. Still, it is possible to make a good choice. The easiest way to do this is by carefully considering what you need out of the software. How many people do you need to accommodate? What kind of activities do you have planned? Do you want to be able to customize your meeting rooms? Do you need document sharing? Do you need a chat feature? Asking questions like these can help you narrow down your search.
From there, compare your needs with the offerings of the available options. Checking out the popular options like virtual town hall meeting zoom is a great way to see what’s available. Those options are typically popular for a reason. Ultimately though, your decision should be based on your specific needs and which software can meet or exceed those needs within your budget.