WHY ZOOM? Mediation At Its Best
When the world as we know it, came to a screeching halt in mid-March, many of us wondered how we would carry on with our in-person meetings, how we would run our businesses. Many of us wondered what business would look like in the ‘new normal’. After the initial stress and concern, many businesses carried on with internal virtual meetings, with Microsoft teams, Zoom and other tele/video conferencing options.
Since the middle of March, at Alberta Divorce Finances, we have managed almost all client meetings and mediation sessions via Zoom. We wondered if the in-person compassion and empathy could ever be replicated in an online video dialogue. There was concern that clients wouldn’t or couldn’t adapt. Could online technology, all but replace our in-person mediation platform?
WHY ZOOM? Because as we have discovered, there are advantages to mediation via Zoom.
- It is EASY and FREE for clients.
Zoom is reasonably easy to navigate and free for clients. If you don’t like the background in your office, living room or kitchen, or if you haven’t tidied up in a few days, you can swap out whatever is behind you in the video, for say a ‘beach paradise’, or the ‘Milky Way’. Zoom is functional and sound quality is really good.
2. Clients don’t have to sit ‘in the same room’ as their spouse/partner.
For some clients, it can be overwhelming or stressful to meet together with a mediator. Willingness to honestly voice opinions in front of your spouse/partner can be intimidating. Zoom can go a long way towards eliminating these issues.
3. Clients are in their own ‘safe’ space.
For some clients, it can be overwhelming or stressful to meet together with a mediator. Willingness to honestly voice opinions in front of your spouse/partner can be intimidating. Zoom can go a long way towards eliminating these issues.
Clients can set up on Zoom in their home office, in their favourite chair or at the kitchen table, wherever they are most comfortable. Although the Parties can ‘see’ each other, “it just feels different” clients tell us.
It can be challenging with children at home but we have found that most make arrangements or manage ways to occupy the children while mom or dad is busy on Zoom. And every so often, we get a wave or giggle from a little cutie that interrupts mom or dad. It’s all part of the Zoom experience.
4. Clients have the “option” of video.
If clients prefer, they can choose “audio” only. Most clients have not chosen this option, but for some, it is comforting to know that at any point, they can present a black screen.
5. Zoom offers screen sharing.
At first, we thought that we’d miss the ability to easily review documents and spreadsheets at in-person meetings. Screen sharing allows all participants to look at what anyone puts up on their computer screen which makes spreadsheet and support review straightforward.
Eventually, when the world returns to the ‘old normal’, we hope to resume regular in-person meetings; there’s nothing like the human touch. It has become apparent though, that even still, a large part of our business will continue to ‘Zoom’.
If you’d like to Zoom with us, email us at Sharon@AlbertaDivorceFinances.com
Visit us at AlbertaDivorceFinances.ca
