Webex 101 When You Have To Shift

Love or Hate it, what you need to know.

Creating an engaging experience on Webex is possible, even though you may prefer Zoom. I am sharing over 12 things you need to know first! When you shift from one platform to another, it can be challenging. The video, blog and podcast are from the perspective of a facilitator and producer, who also prefers Zoom and has supported many speakers' shift from Zoom to Webex with confidence and success. (The video includes screenshots and visuals from Webex.)

Webex Need to Know

1. Culture: Could be an Off Camera Culture
2. Slide Sharing is Different! Decide how you work best and test the new process with a producer or client. Get your own WebEx even for a few months to look around and feel more comfortable. On Webex, the slides are typically uploaded into the platform - this works best.
3. Video Clips can be shared (the way you would in Zoom); remember to share computer sound.
4. Settings: Talk to your client about their account settings if they are the host.
5. Documents: They may not allow you to share a document, so you must plan to share it via email. Sharing documents is also very different!
6. Polls are different too; learn how to, or ask your producer to set up and share the polls.
7. Producer & Tech Check: When shifting from another platform, working with a team and someone certified or experienced on the Webex platform is essential. You can learn things if you work with people you trust to support your facilitation approach. Always have tech checks and practice runs, especially when new to a platform. Plus, every Webex account can be set up differently, so you cannot assume that what you want to do, is possible unless you test it out.
8. Interactions & Options: If the culture of your group is to be off-camera, there are interactive elements on Webex (Chat, Reactions, Annotation, Breakout Rooms and more) so you can facilitate engagement. Closed Captions are also available. Even if your group typically meets on Webex, they may only use some features. Always assume that someone needs to be walked through how to use all the options to create an inclusive experience.
9. Name Change: Be aware that changing your name can only happen Before you enter the meeting!
10. Fun Feature: You can be on camera in front of your slides. This is built into the platform. Please look at how you set up your slides if you want to use this option.
11. Co-Presenter:?One thing Webex does well is the option to 'pass the ball' back and forth between co-presenters. There is an easy way to have the same slide deck in the training session, and two or more presenters take turns controlling the slides.
12. Layout:?Test ahead of time how you'd like to have your Webex experience set up. For example, if people are on camera, you can see them at the top or side.

Tips for the Company/Agency or the Client

You are investing in a fantastic speaker for an engaging learning experience for your team. If your speaker is uncomfortable on your preferred platform, this can impact the experience for everyone.?Professional speakers and excellent facilitators can adapt quickly! However, a support team in place and arranging tech checks are essential to set up the event for success.

Tips for the Speaker or Facilitator

Forcing your client to shift to your preferred platform because it may be easier to facilitate engagement is not the only option. I may agree with you on which platform enables an interactive and user-friendly virtual learning experience, but there is more to consider. If your client and all the participants don't feel comfortable learning a new platform, especially if they don't trust it, "resistance may be futile."

Focus for Everyone

It's not helpful to have a tug of war and try to convenience someone to change their mind. Insisting on a platform shift may not be the best approach to making everyone feel safe and confident. You want everyone to focus on the fantastic facilitation skills and shared content. Therefore, working with a great team that helps a facilitator shine despite the platform change is essential. I would highly recommend scheduling tech check meetings and discussions to make sure that facilitating engagement is possible.

Words of Encouragement

Every platform competes with each other. There has been considerable change these past three years! Transitions and ever-evolving technology can be challenging if you feel too saturated and are tired of always learning. However, be confident that you have a lot of transferable skills; navigation may be easier than you initially think when you get to look around. You are continually building on what you know, not starting over. And if you like something on the platform but are more experienced on another platform - wait; it will likely be an option in the future. If you thought you knew a platform and hated it, and it's been a while, you may like it a bit more now....or not ;)

In Conclusion?

After working with many great speakers and facilitators on different platforms these past six years, I highlight what you need to know when shifting from Zoom to Webex.

?Video & Podcast

Hot Bonus Tip??

• Open the Webex Menu Bar, look around at all the possibilities, or at least work with someone who knows the platform.

More?pro tips & tutorials for impactful learning experiences that facilitators & participants want to be part of.

• Coming Next Articles About?ChatGPT, Zoom, The OWL, Learning Experience Design Tips, reflections from I4PL conference & More!
• Get your copy of the book?THE ONLINE SHIFT: 101 Pro Tips for Online Facilitators, Workplace Trainers & Virtual Speakers.
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Original blog post: Using Webex If You Prefer Zoom