Today, more businesses are taking advantage of the Internet to train their employees. With the help of web conferencing, businesses are able to reach out to their employees and teach them how to work more efficiently. This is especially helpful for businesses where the employees work in different buildings, cities, states or even countries. However, training with the help of online conferencing isn’t always an easy task. Follow these conferencing tips to make your experience with Onstream Media go more smoothly.
Create Your PowerPoint
Most web conferencing meetings, including those used for training, use PowerPoint presentations to get the point across. If you will be using one for your training program, make sure you keep your content clear and concise. Always use bold, easy-to-read fonts and make sure each page uses only six to eight lines of text. Use plain backgrounds and ensure the text and images you use contrast that background so they are easier to see.
Plan Carefully
Just like you would if you were teaching in a classroom, you need to plan carefully when you are setting up your training presentation. You need to have a lesson plan in mind so you know exactly in which direction your training session should go to avoid getting off track.
Keep Groups Small
While training large groups is certainly possible, it is more difficult. Therefore, it is best to keep your training session limited to no more than six people at a time. Even if this means holding more training sessions, it is worth it to avoid confusion and ensure everyone gets the personalized attention they need to learn the material well.
Whiteboard Use
If you will be using a whiteboard as part of your training, it is important to think ahead before your web conferencing event. Make sure all the materials your employees need are loaded into the whiteboard. Also, check to determine if students will be able to access this material, even after your conference is over so they can learn on their own.
Prevent Early Check-In
Some people are notoriously late, but there are others who are always early. However, it is important to make sure that no one sees your presentation before you are ready to start. While some web conferencing software allows people to come in early, you may wish to exhibit a sign reminding people of the start time for the conference.
Answer Options
In some situations, you will need to evaluate the retention of the employees. If you will have the employees answer questions as part of the web conferencing, you will need to know exactly how those answers will be stored so you can check them over later. You must also evaluate if you will be grading the employees on their performance and if so, how.
Check Links
Linking to other helpful websites on the Internet can be extremely useful when it comes to your training. One of the most important web conferencing tips is to check all the links in your presentation before you begin. This will ensure all your trainees will be able to access the links you need them to with no problems. Offering links that don’t work will not reflect well on you and your training skills.
Keep Examples Relevant
Specific examples can be an extremely useful tool when it comes to training. This is especially true if you have visual learners in your group. However, you can’t simply throw out any examples you find that don’t even relate to the work these employees will perform. It is more effective to seek out examples that are the most relevant.
Check In
Sometimes web conferencing can make you feel disconnected from your audience, even forgetting anyone is even watching you. Therefore, you need to make sure you check in with your trainees periodically. This will both ensure they are paying attention to your training and show them you know they are there. This gives them the opportunity to ask any questions and provide you with some feedback if needed.
Keep It Short
People tend to have short attention spans, especially when it comes to training for a job. For this reason, it is best to keep your training sessions as short as possible. Limit your conferencing times between 60 and 90 minutes at the most. If necessary, you can always hold multiple training sessions to break things up for everyone and keep them interested in the topic at hand.
Monitor Guest Speakers
If you are having someone help you teach the trainees, you need to make sure he is on the same page as you in regard to timing. Use cue cards or set up a second computer to signal when time is nearing an end. This will ensure any guests speakers you have are able to stay within the time limits to avoid going over.
Have a Backup Plan
Things don’t always go exactly as planned. Even if you choose the most reliable web conferencing provider, you could find you can’t access the conference for one reason or another. To avoid having to reschedule around everyone’s schedule, having a backup conferencing option can allow you to move forward with your training session.
Consult Regarding End Times
Sometimes running over is inevitable. If you notice you will not be able to wrap up the session by the scheduled end time, web conferencing tips dictate you should reach the end of your current point and then discuss time constraints with your trainees. You may find they are flexible enough you will be able to finish the session, even if you do go over on the allotted time.
Plan Your Ending
Make sure you know exactly how you will end your training conference. You should always thank your attendees for coming to your training session, provide them with your closing comments and let them know how they can contact you if they need anything further. If there are steps they should take after your session, go over these as well.
A successful meeting for training your employees means following the right conferencing tips for putting together your training session. The better prepared you are for these sessions, the more likely your employees will be able to take away the right information from your Onstream web conference and be more productive in the workplace.
