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Executive Exchange: Winning Webinars
April 22, 2009
By Sarah Boehle
A reader is challenged with meeting the needs of a diverse global community that is used to classroom training. "We can no longer afford the logistics of running these classes," says the reader. "I'm considering developing Webinars in addition to asynchronous computer-based training. Does anyone have advice on how to make Webinars personable as well as effective for a global audience?"
Here is a response:
Going Global
To get the most out of Webinar-based training, Neal Goodman (ngoodman@global-dynamics.com) offers the following tips (which are excerpted from his March 12, 2009, Training magazine online column entitled "Training in the Global Virtual World."
• Make use of online chat rooms. "They are similar to real-life breakout rooms, where participants can go in small groups to work on assigned topics, such as, 'What are the three main factors inhibiting the success of our global team?'" says Goodman. The responses from each of the groups can then be put on a virtual whiteboard for the instructor and the participants to review.
• Confront language barriers head-on. "The best way to deal with differences in language use is to make it a norm to have participants immediately write (in private) to the moderator/instructor any time that words, idioms, professional jargon, or acronyms that they don't understand are used," says Goodman. "This avoids the embarrassment of admitting in front of an entire group that you don't understand something. The reality, often, is that others also did not understand the word or phrase either." Goodman recommends posting these misunderstandings—without attribution—where everyone can review them.
• Train to the technology. "Provide training on the effective use of virtual learning, including a virtual course on the use of the technology," Goodman advises. "In one case, we held a 15-minute course immediately prior to our regularly scheduled Webinar and made attendance a prerequisite for the Webinar, which significantly improved the efficiency of the course."
• Pay attention to learning styles. Goodman warns against ignoring the differences in learning styles among Webinar participants. "Plan to leverage open-ended brainstorming, polling, quizzes and real-time chat rooms for those who learn best through experience and interaction," he says. "Use charts and other simple, yet effective, graphics for visual learners. And provide opportunities for students to ask questions via phone before, during, and after the session for those who need to hear the lesson to learn best."
Neal Goodman is president of Global Dynamics Inc. in Randolph, N.J.
HAVE OTHER INPUT OR TIPS …on this topic? If so, send them our way in an email to sarah.boehle@nielsen.com with the subject line "WINNING WEBINARS" and we'll try to include your advice in an upcoming issue!
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