Welcome to your August  eZine.

Back in March, the pandemic was referred to as an unprecedented wake up call. An unprecedented shift. It is now August. And although each day brings new news about the virus, is the experience of it in our work lives still unprecedented?

The definition of unprecedented is never done or known before. Where the virus may have never been known before, what we have done to shift into the new reality of living in the midst of a pandemic is now practiced. We have had months to learn how to conduct meetings over Zoom, work from a spare room in our home, and balance kids and work. New routines have been established. We have a new normal which is replacing habits and patterns that pre -pandemic defined us.

With our new track record established it is time to recognize how to maximize this time and our efforts. This month’s eZine is designed to help you do just that.

 If you are conducting meetings on zoom, are you effective? We have a research article to share written by Dr. Harwant Khush to help you consider points to make your zoom meetings run smoother as well as a description of Tero’s public workshop on Virtual Presence and Meeting Effectiveness which will enhance your effectiveness in your new normal.

We have a Business Insight from our president Ro Crosbie on if we can still call what we're experiencing during the pandemic "unprecedented". There are two Audible chapters we would like to share from the book Your Invisible Toolbox. One  on practice and one giving a recipe for success, both of which you can apply to all the new ways of working you have ventured into. We included some timely videos that will help you figure out if you are smiling and listening enough when on virtual platforms as well as an interesting quiz.

What we are experiencing is our new normal. It is your choice to wait it out as best you can or wait it out being the best you can. You deserve the latter.

Want to get the most out of your virtual meetings?

Tero's newest workshop teaches you the important skills to a great online meeting. Learn how to align your virtual presence with your in-person professional presence,  how to have an effective online presence, the seven essential stages that all successful meetings incorporate and more. This workshop will improve your effectiveness and make you stand out in only 4 hours.

Here's What's Happening at Tero International

What Do You Know About Virtual Meetings Quiz Explored Further:

1. People who are not accustomed to remote work should develop rituals that create a discipline to their day.

   True. Rituals like scheduling a start and end time to your day, showering and getting dress, figuring out what kind of contact you need with others and getting a predictable rhythm will help you psychologically get ready to work well from home. 
2. Losing the unplanned watercooler conversations and coffee breaks due to working at home makes for better performance. 
   False. Casual conversations are actually big and important parts of the work day and enhance morale and performance. Losing those interactions when working remote requires determining ways to have informal interactions remotely. 
3. Leaders do not need to discuss childcare issues.
   False. Work and home are now blended and leaders must be ready and willing to help employees think through these issues.
4. Every CEO needs to be more visible now.
   True. The leader's presence will give people a needed confidence. They are now Hope-Givers-In-Chief. 
5. Exercise is a key ingredient for mental wellbeing and psychological health.
   True. Mental health when working from home requires us to move and keep active and fit.