The Hattie

With the hybrid working model the new normal for many teams, meetings often now involve some participants joining from the office and others joining remotely. The right tools can bridge the gap between the two, ensuring that meetings are collaborative and productive. The following tools can help make your hybrid meetings seamless and effective.

Video conferencing platforms

A reliable video conferencing platform is the foundation of any hybrid meeting. Look for platforms that offer high-quality video, clear audio, and interactive features.

• Zoom – A popular choice with features like breakout rooms, screen sharing, and virtual backgrounds.
• Microsoft Teams – Ideal for businesses using Office 365, offering deep integration with Outlook and SharePoint.
• Google Meet – A straightforward and secure option that integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace.
• Cisco Webex – Known for its security and enterprise-level features, great for larger teams.

NEXT READ: 6 effective communication strategies for hybrid teams

Collaboration and note-taking tools

Hybrid meetings can become disjointed without effective ways to share notes, track action points, and collaborate on documents in real time.

• Miro – A visual collaboration tool perfect for brainstorming and mapping out ideas together.
• Notion – A flexible all-in-one workspace for taking meeting notes, assigning tasks, and storing key documents.
• Microsoft OneNote – Ideal for structured note-taking and easy sharing within Teams.
• Google Docs – Allows multiple people to contribute and edit meeting notes simultaneously.

Smart meeting room hardware

To ensure remote attendees feel just as present as those in the office, investing in good meeting room tech is essential.

• Logitech Rally Plus – A high-quality camera and microphone system designed for hybrid meetings.
• Owl Labs Meeting Owl Pro – A 360-degree smart camera that tracks speakers and makes meetings more immersive for remote attendees.
• Jabra Speak 750 – A portable speakerphone with excellent sound quality for clear conversations.
• Neat Bar – A sleek video conferencing bar optimised for Zoom and Teams, ensuring seamless communication.

Project management and task tracking

Keeping track of action points and accountability is crucial in hybrid meetings, ensuring discussions lead to measurable outcomes.

• Trello – A simple, visual tool for managing projects and tracking progress.
• Asana – Great for teams needing structured workflows and task management.
• Monday.com – A flexible platform to organise team projects, meeting notes, and deadlines.
• ClickUp – A powerful tool that integrates task tracking, document sharing, and time management.

Engagement and polling tools

Keeping hybrid meetings interactive ensures remote participants remain engaged and feel involved.

• Slido – A live polling and Q&A tool that allows participants to submit questions and vote in real-time.
• Mentimeter – An interactive presentation tool that makes meetings more engaging with polls, quizzes, and word clouds.
• Kahoot! – Perfect for team-building sessions or making meetings more fun and interactive.
• Poll Everywhere – Allows real-time audience feedback, making hybrid meetings more inclusive.

NEXT READ: 10 ideas for online team building activities for hybrid teams

Scheduling and meeting management

Organising hybrid meetings efficiently can reduce scheduling headaches and ensure all participants are prepared.

• Calendly – Automates scheduling by allowing participants to book meetings at mutually available times.
• Doodle – A simple tool to find the best meeting time across different time zones.
• Microsoft Outlook Scheduler – Syncs seamlessly with Teams for easy meeting planning.
• Google Calendar – A user-friendly scheduling tool that integrates with Google Meet and other platforms.

Hybrid meetings don’t have to be chaotic or unproductive. With the right tools, you can create a seamless experience that ensures all participants feel engaged and included.