What is the “model” your organization plans to use in its virtual training programs? We normally don’t think of a model when we want to get across the important messages of corporate ethics, sexual harassment, workplace bullying or creating an atmosphere of accountability and respect.
In fact, quite frankly, some organizations don’t give much thought to any of these program topics other than lament the fact that it’s an (ugh) requirement.
How Will You Train?
There are several important training issues that we emphasize at Virtual Training Associates (VTA) when virtually training audiences on important topics such as corporate ethics and the prevention of sexual harassment. We believe the keys to an effective training program include:
- We make certain that we constantly interact with, and engage the audience as frequently as possible.
- We encourage communication on issues not only between VTA and your company, but a high degree of interaction among employees at all levels of the organization.
- We believe in follow-up from virtual break-out rooms to email and text communication. We want no aspect of training to remain unclear.
- We make constant use of our camera rather than posting mind-numbing Power-Point type training sessions. The quickest way to lose a virtual audience is by failing to engage the audience. During 2020, teachers and trainers alike learned that in virtual training nothing is less effective than checking out of the engagement process.
- We never like to teach the same subject in quite the same way. Delivering an important point should come from multiple directions.
- We believe the ideal virtual training model includes modules or sessions that are brief and powerful, rather than by employing lengthy presentations that quickly lose audiences.
- VTA boasts the highest quality training product in the business. Audiences are quickly turned off by inferior presentations.
Untrained Trainers = Disengaged Audiences
As president of VTA, I have more than twenty-five years’ experience in teaching corporate ethics to associations, for profit and nonprofit organizations, in addition to the fact that I am a Hall of Fame speaker.
If there is to be an ideal model in virtual training, it is to make certain that trainers have both a grasp on the material and can present the material in an impactful and reasonable way.
The use of “celebrity” presenters, be they actors, athletes or known influencers in an industry, don’t necessarily mean the subject matter will be conveyed. Quite often the celebrity component resonates with audiences on a kind of “showmanship” basis, but little or nothing is retained of the message.
Experience, as they say, is a great teacher but don’t confuse experience with glitter.
Awareness and Adoption
The ideal model of virtual presentations is that the behaviors and/or subject matter that is taught, is adopted. All roads in virtual training must lead to that outcome. It is imperative that awareness and adoption are measured and discussed.
To that end, we place value on at least one session to reinforce the initial session or the series of modules. The follow-up is not to judge, but to encourage greater adoption of this very important material.
The Keys to Virtual Training really do, Begin with The Model. The best virtual training programs must be planned, properly implemented, and positively reinforced.
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