Work coordination
Plan a workshop with a clear output
Tell the assistant who is attending, how long you have, what the group must produce by the end, and any constraints such as mixed time zones or a room with no whiteboard. A stated output gives every exercise in the plan something to build toward.
A text to start with
I am facilitating a two-hour workshop with eight people, four of whom are remote. The goal is to agree on three priorities for next quarter. We have videoconferencing and a shared document. Draft a timed plan with exercises that work for mixed attendance, at least one break, and a closing that records the agreed priorities in writing before people leave. Flag any exercise that needs materials I should prepare in advance.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.What to check before the workshop
Add up the times and confirm they fit your actual session length, including the break. Exercises built around an in-person whiteboard often fail for remote participants, so test each one against a mixed room. If any exercise needs a facilitator decision mid-session, decide in advance how you will make it. The closing should leave the group looking at a written list of priorities before anyone logs off.
Running the session and capturing the output
Send the plan to participants the day before so they know what is expected. During the session, ask someone other than yourself to take notes. At the close, read the agreed priorities back and ask for corrections before the call ends.