在家中进行远程在线会议的能力非常方便。但它也为非常尴尬的时刻引入了一整套机会。
如果您有孩子、宠物、婴儿，甚至在您身后有一扇展示户外活动的窗户，那么您就拥有了灾难配方的所有成分。
在本文中，我们将介绍一些可能导致令人尴尬的在线会议的最常见问题，以及如何防止这些问题。
在线会议：可能(Could)出了什么问题(Go Wrong)？
罗伯特·凯利教授(Professor Robert Kelly)在接受BBC电视直播采访时，就发生了这样一个尴尬时刻，其中最著名的例子之一。
凯利的一个蹒跚学步的孩子走进他的办公室，采访进行到一半，他的孩子也坐在助行车里。最后，他发狂的妻子冲进房间把孩子们从房间里救出来。
这不仅是一个令人尴尬的在线会议时刻(online meeting moment)，而且是一个现场直播的时刻，并在全球范围内向数百万观众播放。
防止令人尴尬的在线会议(Embarrassing Online Meeting)时刻
您可以通过多种方式设置工作区、计算机和会议本身，以减少发生任何不幸事件的几率。
如果您遵循所有这些准则，您可以放心，您的所有在线会议都会顺利进行，不会有任何“难忘”的时刻。
不使用时挡住你的相机
有很多安全原因为什么您应该遮盖网络摄像头，除非它正在使用中。但除了安全性之外，您也不想在准备好之前在在线会议开始时展示您的视频。
有传言说，有人在开会期间去洗手间(stories of people caught going to the bathroom)，因为他们的网络摄像头指向打开的浴室门(bathroom door)。
这可能有多种原因。
- 网络摄像头在会议开始时自动打开
- 您忘记在会议期间打开相机
- 您以为会议结束了，但在人们连接时，摄像头仍处于开启状态
防止所有这些情况的最简单方法是使用网络摄像头上的滑盖(slider cover)（如果有）。如果没有，请在手边放一些胶带，以便在不使用时保留在相机上。
在背景窗口上使用窗帘
Windows 可能很适合让光线进入您的办公室，但是当您参加在线会议时，它们可能会导致很多问题。
有多种情况会导致 windows 的尴尬，所以让我们来探讨三个主要的。
你看起来像个恶棍
想象一下有人(Imagine someone)出现在会议中，他们只是在黑暗的房间里出现的影子。你对那个人的第一印象是什么？
大多数人都会想起任何数量的电影，其中一个恶棍坐在地牢的巢穴(dungeon lair)中，策划着他们的下一个邪恶计划(evil plan)。
通过窗户流入的光线与大多数网络摄像头一起玩，迫使它们自动过滤光线，使整个房间看起来比实际暗得多。
解决此问题的最简单方法是在您身后的任何窗户上挂上窗帘，并在会议期间始终保持窗帘或窗帘关闭。
宠物爱窗户
宠物也喜欢窗户，宠物和在线会议很少能很好地结合在一起。
如果你注意到会议中的人在你说话时窃笑(meeting snickering)或轻笑，你可能想看看你身后。
很有可能你的猫不擅长。
如果您准备开始在线会议，请将您的所有宠物都带出房间，以免它们躲在窗台上准备在(window sill)视频会议(video conference)期间让您难堪。
注意：关上办公室的门(office door)（并锁上）可以将不受欢迎的宠物和其他不速之客拒之门外。
户外并不总是可爱的
窗户的另一个问题是发生在窗户另一边的东西。
您真的希望您的同事或其他与会者看到您的邻居穿着睡衣在外面修剪草坪吗？
你永远不知道谁或什么东西会经过窗户，所以这是确保你身后的窗户有窗帘并且你使用它们的另一个原因。
启动照明
说到照明，光线充足的办公室可以在网络会议期间制作最佳视频。实现完美照明的最佳方法是放置您的办公桌，以便在您面对的显示器后面或侧面有一个窗口（窗帘打开）。
侧面窗户的自然光与您身后的窗户相反。它不是强迫网络摄像头过滤光线，而是向您提供自然光，以便相机拾取。
如果您办公室的窗户位置不正确，那么下一个最佳解决方案是打开尽可能多的顶灯。
更好的(Better)是，使用飞利浦 Hue(Philips Hue)灯并将它们设置为最亮的设置。
会议前整理
根据密歇根大学 2018 年的一项研究(2018 study by the University of Michigan)，心理学家发现，人们只是根据办公室的状况对他人产生负面看法。
这一发现并不(finding isn)令人惊讶(t surprising)。但是，如果您整个星期都在努力工作，而在在线视频会议(video meeting)之前没有时间清理周围的空间，那将是不幸的。
简单的解决方案是在视频会议(video meeting)开始前在日历中安排至少 15 分钟。花时间整理你身后的所有杂物。至少清理相机能看到的一切。
这可能并不意味着整个房间都很干净，或者您的桌面(desktop isn)仍然没有杂乱，但如果参加会议的人看不到杂乱，他们就不会知道更多。
哦，我们发出的声音
在视频会议(video conference)期间，声音可能是您最大的敌人。你的麦克风有各种让你难堪的方式。
只需考虑忘记您的麦克风已打开并执行以下任何操作：
- 吃薯片或其他脆而响亮的东西(crunchy and loud)
- 在你耳边低声咕哝一些关于同事的负面的话，每个人都能听到
- 与您的配偶或其他家庭成员(family member)进行私人谈话(side conversation)
- 发出令人尴尬的身体声音
所有这些场景都可能从轻微的幽默到令人痛苦的尴尬。
解决方案是什么？除非您需要发言，否则请务必(Always)在会议开始时检查您是否已静音，并在会议期间密切关注您的麦克风状态(microphone status)。
更好的是，配置您的视频会议软件(video conference software)设置，以便在会议开始时麦克风自动保持静音。
在Skype中，您可以在“(Skype)设置”(Settings)菜单的“音频和视频(Audio & Video)”下找到此设置。只需确保关闭来电取消静音即可。(Unmute for incoming calls)
大多数主要的视频会议应用程序都有类似的麦克风设置。
其他有用的提示
牢记上述所有建议将确保您的视频会议顺利进行并且没有任何问题。
还有一些其他提示可能对您的视频通话有所帮助：
- 共享屏幕(Sharing screens)：共享屏幕时，在看到正确的屏幕突出显示之前不要选择共享按钮。(share button)每个主要的在线会议应用程序都会突出显示您选择的屏幕，以便您始终知道要共享的屏幕。共享错误的屏幕可能会导致人们看到您不希望他们看到的内容。
- 令人尴尬的通知(Embarrassing notifications)：没有什么(s nothing)比在会议期间共享屏幕时同事向您发送个人信息更糟糕的了。在每次视频会议(video conference)之前禁用 Windows 通知。
- 窗口放置(Window placement)：人们常犯的一个错误是将带有每个人的脸的聊天窗口(chat window)放置在远离网络摄像头的屏幕上。相反，将它放在同一个屏幕上，这样看起来你正在直接看人。
- 虚拟背景(Virtual backgrounds)——Zoom 和 Skype(Zoom and Skype)等大多数应用程序现在都允许您选择虚拟背景。您可以从预设中选择一些东西，也可以下载自己的图像并将其用作背景。有些应用程序也可以让你模糊背景，所以如果你的通话背景不好，那就买一个虚拟的。
您在视频会议期间是否有过任何尴尬的时刻？我们很乐意在下面的评论部分听到您的故事。
How to Prevent Embarrassing Online Meeting Moments
The abilіty to haνe remote, оnline meеtings at home can be very convenient. But it also introduces a whole list of opportunities for verу embarrassing momentѕ.
If you have kids, pets, babies or even a window behind you displaying the outdoors, you have all of the ingredients of a recipe for disaster.
In this article we’ll cover some of the most common issues that could lead to embarrassing online meetings, and how to prevent them.
Online Meetings: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
One of the most famous examples of just such an embarrassing moment happened to Professor Robert Kelly when he was being interviewed live on television by the BBC.
One of Kelly’s toddler-aged children walked into his office, mid-interview, and so did his baby in a walker. Finally, his frantic wife races into the room to extract the children from the room.
Not only was this an embarrassing online meeting moment, but it was one that took place live and was broadcast around the world to millions of viewers.
Preventing Embarrassing Online Meeting Moments
There are ways you can set up your workspace, your computer, and the meeting itself to reduce the odds of any unfortunate events.
If you follow all of these guidelines, you can rest assured that all your online meetings will go smoothly and without any “memorable” moments.
Block Your Camera When Not In Use
There are a lot of security reasons why you should keep your webcam covered unless it’s in use. But security aside, you also don’t want to show your video at the start of an online meeting before you’re ready.
There have been stories of people caught going to the bathroom during a meeting because their webcam was pointed toward an open bathroom door.
This can happen for multiple reasons.
- The webcam turns on automatically at meeting start time
- You forget that the camera is turned on during a meeting
- You thought the meeting ended but the camera is still on while people are connected
The easiest way to prevent all of these scenarios is to use the slider cover on your webcam if it has one. If it doesn’t, then keep some tape handy to keep over the camera when it’s not in use.
Use Curtains On Background Windows
Windows might be great to let light into your office, but when you’re in an online meeting they can cause a lot of problems.
There are multiple scenarios that can lead to embarrassment with windows, so let’s explore the three main ones.
You Look Like a Villain
Imagine someone showing up in a meeting and they only appear like a shadow in a darkened room. What would your first impression be about that person?
Most people would be reminded of any number of movies where a villain is sitting in a dungeon lair, plotting their next evil plan.
Light flowing in through a window plays tricks with most webcams and forces them to automatically filter light, making the entire room appear much darker than it actually is.
The easiest way to fix this issue is to dress any windows behind you in curtains, and always keep the curtains or shades closed during meetings.
Pets Love Windows
Pets also love windows, and pets and online meetings rarely combine very well.
If you notice people in the meeting snickering or chuckling while you’re talking, you may want to take a look behind you.
The odds are pretty good your cat is up to no good.
If you’re ready to start an online meeting, get all of your pets out of the room so they aren’t hiding on the window sill ready to embarass you during your video conference.
Note: Shutting the office door (and locking it) can keep out unwanted pets and other uninvited guests.
The Outdoors Aren’t Always Lovely
The other problem with windows is the stuff that happens on the other side of those windows.
Do you really want your coworkers or other meeting attendees seeing your neighbor mowing the lawn outside in their pajamas?
You never know who or what is going to pass by the window, so this is yet another reason to make sure that window behind you has curtains, and that you use them.
Crank Up The Lighting
Speaking of lighting, a well lit office makes for the best video during a web conference. The best way to accomplish perfect lighting is to position your desk so that there’s a window (with the curtains open) either behind the monitor you’re facing, or off to the side.
Natural light from windows on the side does the opposite that a window behind you does. Instead of forcing the webcam to filter light, it sheds natural light on you for the camera to pick up.
If you don’t have a window located the right way in your office, the next best solution is to turn on as many overhead lights as you have.
Better yet, use Philips Hue lights and set them to the brightest setting.
Tidy Up Before Meetings
According to a 2018 study by the University of Michigan, psychologists found that people developed negative opinions about people just by the state of their office.
This finding isn’t surprising. However, it’s unfortunate if you’ve been working hard all week and just haven’t had time to clean up the space around you before that online video meeting.
The easy solution is to schedule at least 15 minutes in your calendar before the start of the video meeting. Spend that time picking up all of the clutter behind you. At least clean up everything that the camera can see.
It may not mean the entire room is clean, or that your desktop isn’t still cluttered, but if people attending the meeting can’t see the clutter, they won’t know any better.
Oh The Sounds We Make
Sound can be your worst enemy during a video conference. There are all kinds of ways your microphone can embarrass you.
Just consider forgetting your microphone is turned on and doing any of the following:
- Eating chips or something else crunchy and loud
- Muttering something negative about a coworker under your breath that everyone can hear
- Having a personal side conversation with your spouse or other family member
- Making embarrassing bodily sounds
All of these scenarios could range from mildly humorous to painfully embarrassing.
What’s the solution? Always check that you’re muted at the start of the meeting unless you need to speak, and keep a close eye on your microphone status during the meeting.
Even better, configure your video conference software settings so that the microphone automatically stays muted when the meeting starts.
In Skype, you can find this setting in the Settings menu, under Audio & Video. Just make sure Unmute for incoming calls is turned off.
Most major video conferencing applications have a similar setting for the microphone.
Other Helpful Tips
Keeping all of the above advice in mind will ensure that your video conferences go smoothly and without any hiccups.
There are a few other tips that may help with your video calls:
- Sharing screens: When sharing your screen, don’t select the share button before you see the correct screen highlighted. Every major online conferencing app highlights the screen you’ve selected so you always know which screen you’re going to share. Sharing the wrong screen could lead to people seeing things you don’t want them to.
- Embarrassing notifications: There’s nothing worse than a coworker sending you a personal message while you’re sharing your screen during a meeting. Disable windows notifications before every video conference.
- Window placement: A common mistake people make is placing the chat window with everyone’s faces on a screen away from the webcam. Instead, place it on the same screen so it looks like you’re looking at people directly.
- Virtual backgrounds – Most apps like Zoom and Skype now let you choose a virtual background. You can either pick something from the presets or you can download your own image and use it as a background. Some apps let you blur the background too, so if you’re stuck with a bad backdrop for your call, get a virtual one.
Have you ever had any embarrassing moments during your videoconferences? We’d love to hear your story in the comments section below.
