Are stretched schedules standing in the way of high attendance rates? In this article, we’ll share 8 top tips to successfully host live online training events for time-crunched employees.
How To Host Live Online Training Events For Busy Remote Employees
It seems like there’s less time and more information these days.
Employees need to build skills and learn about the latest company policies, in addition to improving their task proficiency and exploring the newest products on offer.
Attending an online training webinar to get the knowledge they need is simply out of the question, right? After all, they barely have enough room in their schedule for coffee breaks.
Fortunately, there are ways to make your live online training events more convenient and accessible for staff members who are always on the go. Here are eight tips to host live online training events for busy remote employees.
1. Survey Employees To Find The Ideal Date & Time
You want a high turnout percentage to ensure you’re allocating online training resources effectively. But how do you know when employees are available so that you don’t exclude a large portion of your workforce?
The secret is in surveys.
Conduct online polls and questionnaires to determine the best time and date for your online training events. This also gives you the opportunity to identify their preferred platform. For instance, most of them already use a video conferencing tool that they know how it works. If that’s the case, host the webinar there!
2. Create A Webinar Companion Guide
Busy employees are usually distracted. Some may even be attempting to multi-task while they attend your online training events. Thus, you should create a companion guide that highlights the main discussion points, sort of like an abridged text-based version of the online training webinar that offers a general overview. Employees can use it to follow along and then later as a reference guide.
However, this should not serve as a substitute for active participation. You must still encourage employees to devote their full attention to the online training event and engage in the virtual conversation.
3. Include Links To Microlearning Resources
Employees may want to learn more about specific training topics during or after the online training events. For this reason, you should include microlearning resource links that allow them to access information or online training activities quickly.
As an example, two or three articles or online training tutorials that offer a step-by-step overview of the task, or online training simulations that allow them to experience the process firsthand.
4. Break The Script Into Sections
Divide your script into distinct sections, each covering a new topic or idea. That way employees can tune in for specific sections that cater to their needs.
For example, the first five minutes of the online training event centers on basic sales skills, while the next segment pertains to more advanced techniques. Those who are more experienced can simply skip the first section and save time without missing out on valuable tips.
Don’t forget to include time stamps and send a viewing guide beforehand so that employees know when to log in.
5. Include Eye-Catching Visuals
Busy schedules can also lead to short attention spans. If the mind doesn’t find the relevant information almost immediately, employees are likely to disengage.
Compelling visuals help grab their attention and keep them focused on the live online training event. Graphs, charts, and cut-out online training characters are also great ways to intrigue employees and improve their understanding.
6. Get Employees Actively Involved
The beauty of live online training events is that they allow for open dialogue. The presenter moderates the online discussion and kicks things off.
However, employees can engage in their own conversations with co-workers and interact directly with the host.
One of the best ways to get employees actively involved is to stress the benefits of the online training event. Let them know what they can do with the information and how it will help them solve a problem, but only if they are willing to do their part instead of staying on the sidelines.
Posing questions and asking for direct input during the online training events are also great ways to break the ice.
7. Incorporate Social Media
Social media gives you the power to transform your live online training event into a fully interactive, community-driven experience.
Use a hashtag to centralize messages or create a closed Facebook group for the online training event. Then invite employees to discuss the topics with their peers online. They can ask questions or provide feedback during the online training event, in addition to carrying on the conversation after it concludes in order to explore related topics.
Just make sure that you set some social media ground rules to prevent distractions. Otherwise, busy employees may end up replying to messages and perusing other pages when they should be paying attention.
8. Record The Online Training Event For Later Viewing
Certain employees may not be able to make time to attend the live online training event. It’s nearly impossible to accommodate everyone’s schedule, even after conducting employee surveys. Thus, you may want to record the online training event for later viewing. People who couldn’t make it in real time can still benefit from the online presentation. Not to mention, everyone can use the recording for future reference.
You also have the opportunity to integrate more multimedia and subtitles after the fact, which makes it even more accessible for corporate learners with special needs or those who are viewing the online presentation in crowded areas. They can simply turn off the audio and read along.
Conclusion
Online training events are only beneficial if they capitalize on social interactions and open discussions. Otherwise, you may as well stick with autonomous online training activities and save yourself the prep work.
All these tips can help you engage busy employees and ignite the discussion. Everyone has the chance to offer their opinions and ideas and benefit from the wisdom and experience of the host if you encourage them to make time for the online training event and provide value-added online training content.
Are you ready to host your first live online training event? Read the article 8 Tips To Host Online Training Webinars For Your Global Workforce to learn how to host successful webinars for your geographically dispersed employees.
