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Description

Virtual Meetings: Preparing, Facilitating and Holding the Group’s Attention

Three hours to facilitate video meetings without talking alone to a wall of switched-off cameras

  • 0.43 days — 3 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Attention fades quickly in video meetings. Cameras stay off, participants work through their messages in parallel, and the facilitator ends up delivering a monologue. Silences are hard to interpret, and decisions are actually taken after the meeting, in one-to-one exchanges.

Three hours online to regain control of virtual facilitation. You build an agenda designed for a short format. You learn to invite contributions explicitly, to use participation features at the right moment, and to close on written decisions. The programme itself is delivered by video conference and serves as the practice ground.

Learning objectives

  • Adapt a meeting agenda to the attention constraints of the virtual format
  • Open a session by setting clear ground rules for speaking
  • Draw out each participant's contribution through explicit prompts
  • Close the meeting on written decisions that are circulated

What makes this programme different

The session is held by video conference and serves as a continuous observation platform
Each participant facilitates a short sequence and receives immediate feedback
Ready-to-use prompts to get a silent group to respond

Programme

1Preparing a meeting that holds up online

The format dictates the agenda

  • Duration and pace suited to online concentration
  • Sequences alternating input, discussion and output
  • Documents sent before the session and documents shared during it
  • Technical checks and a fallback plan in case of failure

2Opening the session and driving participation

Breaking out of the monologue

  • An opening that hands over the floor within the first few minutes
  • Announced rules on cameras, microphones and interruptions
  • Named speaking turns and individual prompts
  • Use of the chat, polls and breakout rooms

3Deciding and closing

What remains after logging off

  • Restating points of agreement during the session
  • Handling disagreements raised late in the meeting
  • A decision record drafted during the meeting
  • Circulating and following up the agreed actions

Who is it for

Managers, project managers and working group facilitators who regularly run meetings by video conference.

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge required

Dates & locations

12 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.