It’s 2023, and virtual meetings are at the heart of many an organization’s daily workflow. Luckily we’ve come a long way since the early days of Skype and VoIP, and with the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the domain, the way we conduct meetings doesn’t have to be a pain in the *ss anymore. 

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In the fast-paced world of recruitment, staying ahead requires embracing innovative technologies. One such groundbreaking advancement is Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) - technology poised to reshape how recruiters operate in 2024.

AI is reshaping the workforce, enhancing productivity. To adapt, individuals need to learn and organizations should practice responsible AI. Together, humans and AI form a dynamic and adaptable workforce for the future.

In remote and hybrid work models, virtual meetings are essential. Needless to say, with the move to hybrid and remote, the amount of time spent in virtual meetings has drastically increased in recent years. From 2020 to 2021, there was a 12.9% rise in the number of meetings attended by employees, and by 2022, the number of meetings per person has increased by 153%. This increase has raised valid concerns about time waste and virtual meeting fatigue. According to Webex, 95% of workers are experiencing one or multiple symptoms of virtual meeting fatigue, leading to a decrease in the quality of work, lower employee morale and job satisfaction, and ultimately: burnout and increased employee turnover rates.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is booming and rapidly transforming the way businesses operate. With the advent of Chat GPT and the commercialization of large language models, AI has become more accessible than ever before for both consumers and developers. According to TechJury , 35% of companies are using AI and 42% of companies are exploring AI for its implementation in the future. As a result, we are seeing an explosion of AI tools being developed to help businesses improve their operations and stay ahead of the curve.

The way we work has totally changed in recent years. More and more companies are jumping on board the remote and hybrid work train. And with that, online meetings have become essential for remote teams. And, the numbers show - between 2020 and 2022, the time spent on online meetings has grown from 48% to 77%  and 83% of employees spend up to one-third of their work week in those remote meetings. That's why now more than ever it is crucial to know how to run a successful remote meeting, because there’s more to that than you might think.

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In just a few years' time, remote work has taken over the workplace. According to a recent study by S&P Global, 80% of businesses have embraced either fully remote or hybrid work models and with it, the tech stack used by organizations to support their business has evolved significantly After all when you work from home, communication, collaboration, and culture are just a few of the aspects of running a business that needs rethinking. That's why now more than ever it is mission-critical for companies, managers, and individuals to get acquainted with the remote tech space, and learn about what’s out there.

It’s 2023, and by now, Remote work has become a widely adopted model throughout large parts of the world. In the US specifically, according to a recent survey by Zippia, 26% of employees are now working remotely, and it’s predicted that 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely by 2025! So, it’s clear to see that remote work will become a permanent feature of the modern workplace and is here to stay.

And although remote work comes with many benefits for organizations (like increased flexibility and access to a wider talent pool) it has also presented new challenges, in particular for managers of remote teams.

In the age of remote work, virtual meetings have become a staple in our daily routines. However, with the increase in virtual interactions, many of us feel the effects of the so-called ‘meeting fatigue’. The constant barrage of video calls and online interactions drains our energy and negatively impacts our productivity and well-being, which in turn hampers our professional life significantly. But luckily there’s a cure! To solve this virtual meeting fatigue puzzle is to rethink your approach to virtual meetings. In this article, we'll dive into the why and how regarding meeting fatigue, the psychology and physiology behind it, and what you can do to fight it. We’ll provide tips and tricks for conducting productive and engaging virtual meetings, and discuss strategies that improve both your productivity and well-being and that of your team. So, let's dive in and learn how to make virtual meetings work for you - but first, let’s start with the basics.