Our workplaces have shifted dramatically due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, but as we begin to ease into the new world of work, it’s likely that some temporary pivots are likely to stick around for the long haul.
Virtual training and learning opportunities were already on the uptick pre-COVID according to McKinsey, and we’re anticipating that over the coming months this learning methodology will become the new norm.
A case for virtual training post-COVID-19.
As a Learning and Development professional, you’ve got to deliver exceptional learning experiences for your organisation. Leadership development, interpersonal skills and workplace culture change are just a few of the areas you’ve likely been tasked with improving.
In the past, these team training events required a significant investment of time, planning and budget to get off the ground. Coordinating the roll-out of programs across an organisation, particularly one spread across multiple locations and departments, could take months if not a whole year to complete.
With many organisations now settling into the dynamic of remote work, it’s likely that we will see an increase in the delivery of virtual training sessions across industries. Leaders, teams and executives are all much more comfortable with online communication and collaboration, and with the plethora of tools and tech available it stands to reason that online learning and development is the next frontier we need to prepare for.
In a recent article by Brandon Busteed, published on Forbes, he shares some of the key benefits of a virtual training and facilitation method:
“The expense and time of bringing together groups of employees for in-person training is exorbitant in comparison to high-quality online versions. Air travel, hotels, windowless conference rooms and convention centers, the risk liability of group training events and, frankly, the poor quality and unmeasurable outcomes of in-person corporate training have always been complaints. These complaints are greatly amplified now in comparison to the online alternative.”
Providing an opportunity for your team to learn new skills and develop their capabilities remains to be an important part of employee engagement, not to mention the outcome of creating a high performing team.
Key elements of successful virtual training delivery:
Quite simply, a trainer with a laptop on a bunch of books won’t cut the mustard in the new world.
State of the art studios with learning methods grounded in neuroscience and a commitment to excellence will be what employees expect in their professional development, and that’s something that we’ve committed to through the development of our own virtual training studio.
Here are some of the key elements of successful virtual training delivery that we’ve identified:
Audio Quality
If you want your people to remain engaged throughout a virtual training session it’s crucial that the facilitator’s audio is of high quality.
Crackling audio, audio that drops out or audio that is too loud or too quiet are all factors that contribute to disengagement, not to mention frustration amongst participants.
When audio is clear and allows for participants to hear the inflexions and emphasis made by the speaker, the overall quality of the learning experience is greatly improved.
Video Quality
We’ve all had our fair share of blurry, poorly lit video conference calls, but in a professional training context, this low-level video quality is unacceptable.
When video presentations are broadcast using professional camera gear in a well-lit studio, the overall learning experience can often surpass that of a traditional conference room training setting.
Tailored Learning Outcomes
Do you know what’s 100x more effective than a self-paced online course? A virtual learning experience hosted by an expert facilitator that knows your people, your leaders, and the challenges you’re facing.
With a shift to virtual training sessions already in motion, it is now easier than ever for Learning and Development professionals to source providers who are able to custom build a learning experience tailored to specific organisational needs.
Have you delved into the new world of virtual training with your organisation? If you’d like to get a taste of what a virtual training experience would look like, book in for a tour of our world-class PTV studio.
