Online meetings: 10 things that are particularly annoying in them
Virtual meetings have become part of everyday life. But time and again, things happen there that can be a real pain in the neck. A survey of communications professionals shows which ten things cause the most annoyance in online meetings.
General technology problems, a poor Internet connection and delayed meetings due to technology problems cause the most displeasure among communications professionals when it comes to online meetings. This is the result of a recent survey by news aktuell and Faktenkontor. More than 120 professionals and executives from companies, organizations and PR agencies took part in the survey.
Technology problems annoy tremendously
According to the survey, most respondents are annoyed when the technology goes wrong again, for example because no image or no sound is transmitted or the microphone doesn't work (56 percent). Every second communications manager is most likely to be upset because there is not enough bandwidth, resulting in delays or breakdowns during online meetings (51 percent). The fact that digital meetings are delayed due to technical problems stresses 37 percent.
A good one in four communications professionals is annoyed when participants in online meetings have their cameras turned off (27 percent). In addition, virtual meetings - due to the Corona situation - have generally increased considerably, which is what causes the greatest displeasure among 26 percent of the survey participants. Just as many respondents are upset when participants use the "mute/loud" function incorrectly, i.e., do not notice that they are switched to loud or still on mute and thus hinder the process and communication (26 percent).
Less disturbing: Children playing in the background
One in four communication professionals is annoyed when participants are late (25 percent). One in five respondents, on the other hand, is most annoyed by a lack of knowledge of the online tool, for example, when users send private chat messages to all participants, or when spaz filters are used in inappropriate situations (21 percent). Having to constantly see oneself in online meetings annoys one in seven (15 percent).
By contrast, the respondents take little offense at pets, partners or children jumping through the picture during an online meeting. Only seven percent find this annoying. Embarrassing or unwanted content is also not an issue: A meager two percent of the survey participants are bothered when others accidentally provide insights into family photos or shopping websites via screensharing, for example.
The 10 most annoying things about online meetings
- General technology spins 56%
- Poor internet connection 51%
- Meetings delayed due to technology problems 37%
- Participants have turned off camera 27%
- Increased number of meetings 26%
- Incorrect use of the "Mute/Loud" function 26%
- Participants* late 25%
- Lack of tool know-how of stakeholders 21%
- Phrases like "Can you hear me?", "Sorry, got kicked out" 19%
- Having to see yourself all the time 15%
The other places are occupied by the following "annoyances":
- Inappropriate virtual backgrounds 15%
- Participants* eat during the meeting 12%
- Speaker late 9%
- Pets, partner or children jumping through the picture 7%
- Participants chat during the conference and thus distract from the topic 5%
- Participants jump up, e.g. because the parcel carrier rings 4%
- The 'split screen' function accidentally allows you to see embarrassing or unwanted content 2%
Source: Online survey in February 2021 by news up to date and Faktenkontor, 121 communications professionals from companies, organizations and PR agencies, multiple answers possible.
