Virtual Training Unleashed

As with everything else, the ever-growing prevalence of internet-based resources and tools has made a strong argument for the usefulness and convenience of online coaching and training. Classroom teaching, where the trainer or facilitator had to travel to the company’s facilities to train a relatively small number of employees and where expenses are higher and time to benefit longer, should give more space to a better model.

Typical group size ranges between 5-20 people for most companies and trainings, although exceptions with significantly larger audiences are not unheard of. However, even with a larger physical audience, there are many issues with the traditional paradigm. For example, the serial (vs. parallel) fashion in which the trainer (or their team) can reach a relatively small proportion of the population that could benefit from the content, and / or the extra costs (who has not heard of per-diem, travel, and other potential fees for having the trainers go on site, to name a few).

The reach, leverage, consistency, and efficiency of training programs have all been significantly improved thanks to virtual live events. So, I want to address some common myths about online coaching and training and highlight the opportunity it presents for businesses to ensure relevant, growth-inducing instruction reaches a wider audience with greater degrees of personalization and consistency, and savings.

Online events offer a tremendous benefit- which should not be underestimated. By removing the logistical hurdles of in-person training for a numerous group of target trainees, such tools help businesses save time and money. Through virtual learning events, companies can get better value from the expert that used to have to go to the different offices to deliver the training to smaller groups many times over. Now, that expert can craft the necessary instruction, tailored to the what the company needs and wants to offer, and to the learning requirements of the targeted learners.

Reach

With a virtual live event training model, organizations can reach more people in more places- by their very nature, they eliminate almost all friction to accessibility. The training can include employees from several locations: a single branch, a distributed team, or an international office.

Standardization and consistency

This is a huge plus in the training experience for all employees. With the traditional serial approach to in-person training, delivery tends to be inconsistent across the multiple repetitions- concepts are emphasized differently to different groups, or attendee questions produce insights that might benefit only the current cohort being trained. Add to this the time it takes to cover the target audience, increased significantly (see “Efficiency”). Also, the traditional approach is typically local in nature (it propitiates initiation by and delivery to smaller groups in different areas, subdepartments, functions or geographies).

For example, if the European finance team identifies the need for a training on, say, presentation skills for their members, they will most likely end up getting a local instructor, who will come to their offices. But if the team in Asia has the same need, they end up not getting the instruction (unless, of course, they procure their own course, which now is different from the Europeans’). So, in the best of cases, each team gets its own version of the learning, and in the worst, only one gets it when more could have been benefitted.

Delivering the same training at the same time allows Companies to ensure that all employees that need it receive consistent training at the same time, standardizing course materials and methods of delivery.

Efficiency

Companies can work with the relevant experts to tailor training courses that will meet the needs of a certain sector, department, or set of skills in a standard, efficient fashion that can be delivered at the same time to hundreds of employees. In contrast, a serial repetition of the material to many smaller groups increases delivery time to the target audience by orders of magnitude (for example, 100 colleagues could be trained at the same time vs 10 sessions of 10 members each). Then there are the added costs of transporting the trainers and the associated logistics. Furthermore, internet platforms give on-demand access to training materials, so workers may reference the actual session for future study whenever and wherever they choose, thus increasing the benefit derived by the attendees. The savings from not having to pay for things like travel and venue rentals can be substantial. Taking this low-cost route frees up capital for use in other areas of employee growth and development.

Higher interactivity

Virtual training programs may be developed to incorporate interactive components like quizzes, gamification, and discussion forums to increase user engagement and interaction across geographies and divisions (depending on the training). These elements foster a richer learning experience and drive better teamwork and integration, enhanced alignment, with the downstream benefits of higher engagement, retention, and excitement.

Critics oftentimes argue that this neglects consideration of the value of human interaction. I see the point, but the argument here is not aimed at eliminating in person training. Face-to-face human contact is undoubtedly beneficial and even irreplaceable for productivity, culture, and joint problem solving. There is no substituting being able to pat your colleague on the shoulder or look into their eyes. My point is that, by leveraging technology, the content can be delivered in a much better manner and the approach can be hybrid to keep the best of both paradigms (virtual delivery, in person team assignments, for example).

For talented colleagues who might create great synergistic improvements for the company but might not be able to meet in person due to cost and time, a virtual live training event opens the door to real-time conversations, virtual breakout sessions and other interaction possibilities and benefits.

Problems with connection and other technical difficulties are a typical source of anxiety. And it is a valid concern. However, it is also true that the availability and dependability of virtual platforms, have been vastly enhanced.

Another misgiving managers often have is the potential for distraction and multi-tasking in an online learning event. However, if we are being honest, this also happens in most in-person trainings, when there is always some good excuse for participants to keep their eyes glued to their phone’s screens, or to open their laptop or other distractions.

It is more a matter of attendee maturity, commitment and appreciation of the training being offered than one of needing to treat learners as children who have to be rounded up in a closed room. That said, to minimize distractions, just as is the case with in-person, the best training programs combine interactive components, different material formats, and time management strategies participants can be actively engaged and make the most of their time.

Virtual live training events can and do feature assessment methods such as quizzes, surveys, and online examinations that provide users and the organization instantaneous, consistent feedback and allow for in-depth progress tracking.

This increased ability to provide coaching and training via virtual live events facilitates a significant and positive shift in the way people learn and grow. It allows businesses to abandon inefficient, inflexible methods in favor of ones that are more effective, scalable, and consistent in nurturing their employees' potential.

With the rise of remote work and international cooperation, workers everywhere must have access to the same training they need to do their jobs effectively, at the same time, delivered in a consistent way. Organizations may easily expand their training programs to serve a larger audience by doing away with previous logistical roadblocks.

Virtual live training events enables businesses to encourage a culture of continual learning in their workforce. Beyond the event itself, the approach makes it easier for companies to help their employees develop their skills by gaining access to online resources like micro-learning courses and virtual coaching sessions to accompany the live event.

Decisions and training can be improved thanks to the data and analytics provided by virtual platforms. Organizations may monitor training indicators like participation, completion, and performance to better target their future training efforts.

The capacity to instantly pivot and update and alter training materials, approach or prioritization of topics is one of the many advantages of online education. As sectors change and new skills become needed, businesses may quickly adjust their training programs to meet the new demands.

In closing, live coaching and training leveraging the power of a virtual live event can be as successful as, if not more so than, the traditional approach. A significant instrument for talent development, virtual events provide for a wider audience, individualized content, consistency, and increased participation. It’s time to change the paradigm!