A New Revolution in Online Training

By Mark Jankowski, Co-Founder Shapiro Negotiations Institute

3-D virtual platforms are Internet based, multi-user environments where participants create avatars, which are, simply put, computer-generated people. These avatars can attend training programs, participate in interactive group experiences, and collaborate with one another.

The largest and most popular 3-D Virtual Platform is Second Life, which is used by organizations such as Intel, American Cancer Society, MIT, and the U.S. Military. A recentresearch report from Forrester Research predicts: “The 3-D Internet will be as important for work as the Web is today, and knowledge management professionals should begin to investigate and experiment with virtual worlds.”

This type of proclamation begs the following basic questions, especially when most organizations already are conducting front-of-the-room training, asynchronous Web-based programs and Webinars:

•  What are the advantages of 3-D virtual platforms?
•  What types of organizations would benefit the most?
•  How do I get started?

What are the advantages of 3-D virtual platforms?There are four main benefits:

1. Total immersion/engagement. One of the biggest frustrations with Webinars continues to be their inability to keep participant attention. Who hasn’t checked their e-mails during one of these sessions? In 3-D virtual training programs, people are required to actively participate rather than simply listen to a teacher lecture about teamwork or flip through a slide deck on preparation. Virtual training provides an active experience where participants must work together on a virtual climb of Mount Everest or tour the Sistine Chapel to learn about confidence.
2. Cost savings. A large portion of the cost of a training event is in airfare, hotel, and other travel expenses. These expenses are eliminated through virtual training. IBM, for instance, held a three-day conference in Second Life and estimated it was staged at one-fifth the cost of a real-world event, saving $250,000.
3. Collaboration. Because of the immersive experience and the feeling of being “present” with other people through their avatars, participants develop bonds, and are more willing to reach out and collaborate in the real world. Johnson & Johnson found that participants in its 3-D virtual orientation classes were more likely to continue to collaborate when compared with those who took other online training. As a result, it reported that attrition rates for its new business school grads were reduced by 40 percent.
4. Inclusion of current content. Many organizations have made significant investment in online e-learning. 3-D virtual platforms can integrate that existing material into the 3-D platform and enhance its effectiveness. Additionally, participants can view videos, review case studies, and take comprehension tests as an individual or as a group and have concurrent “live” conversations and discussions of best practices.

What types of organizations would benefit the most?

Organizations that invest in soft skill training. Any organization that conducts training of soft skills that inherently have a collaborative component will benefit. Sales, diversity, negotiation, teambuilding, and leadership, among other topics, will experience the full benefit of what 3-D virtual platforms can offer in terms of an immersive experience.

Companies with large travel expenses. Companies that are centralized and have the ability to bring people into a regional site or to headquarters might benefit more from face-to-face versus virtual training. If however, an organization has a geographically dispersed workforce and currently spends a significant amount of money on travel in connection with training events, then 3-D virtual platforms are a viable solution with economic benefits that should be weighed carefully.

Firms with “virtual” teams. People who are in different locations who must come together to work on a project often feel disconnected and, therefore, do not function at their highest level. A 3-D virtual platform allows that team to more effectively collaborate, share documents, and bond as a team.

How to take the first step?

Step #1: Open Your Mind. Many people’s first impression of this technology is to think video games and kids. Get over it. Let it go and give it a chance. To not at least experience this critical new training technology is a mistake that could cost companies money, time, resources, and the ability to be on the cutting edge.

Step #2: Try Out an Environment. You can get free trials on different virtual world platforms (think WebEx vs. GoTo Meeting vs. Live Meeting) by going to:

www.venugen.com

www.virtualbeginnings.com

www.reactiongrid.com

Step #3: Stay Tuned. Each month in this online column, we will present a different topic on corporate training in 3-D virtual platforms. Future topics will include: “How to Select the Right 3-D Virtual Platform”; “Managing Technological Hurdles”; “Maximizing Real ROI in Virtual Worlds”; and “‘Selling’ 3-D Virtual Platforms to Management.”

Mark Jankowski co-founded Shapiro Negotiations Institute (SNI) in 1995 and has written two books on negotiation, “The Power of Nice: How to Negotiate So Everyone Wins—Especially You!” and “Bullies, Tyrants & Impossible People: How To Beat Them Without Joining Them,” which have formed the basis for SNI’s Negotiation, Influencing, Conflict Management, and Relationship Equity training programs.

As a result of SNI’s corporate clients asking for innovative ways to deliver distance learning, in 2008, Jankowski developed a separate division of SNI called Virtual Training Partners. Over the last three years, Jankowski has come to be considered an expert in the application of virtual technology for training and development of employees around the globe.