How do I run a virtual training session?

In 2020 we saw an increase in the popularity of working remotely. Although many offices are reopening with the rollout of the vaccine, many companies have opted to remain online. Working remotely has many benefits for both employees and employers. There is a lot more flexibility and no geographical restrictions.

But if companies want to move their workers to remote or hybrid working they need to change their training methods. First of all, you will need to add additional technical training for your team. You cannot take it for granted that your colleagues will be able to use all software from home. As well as that, companies need to adapt their training methods to keep the sessions interactive for everyone in the team.

Sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how to adapt your virtual training when moving online. Here are some tips on how to run a successful virtual training:

• Turn your cameras on to add a personal element to the screen.
• Use an interactive virtual events platform, such as Remo, to engage with your team.
• Play some fun icebreakers at the start of the virtual training to warm up your team.
• Collect feedback at the end of the training so you can improve things.

Now that you know the basics of how to run virtual training sessions, let’s take a look at the benefits for your team.

Top 4 Benefits of Running a Virtual Training Session:

Flexibility

One of the main benefits of virtual training is better flexibility. Your team can decide to run your virtual training live or recorded. Recorded training is very flexible as your team can do it whenever they find time in their working day. A live training session needs to be scheduled into your team’s calendar but they save time commuting to the training, making it easier to pick a time.

Your colleagues could also do asynchronous training, so everyone trains at a different time. This will allow your team to complete the training in their own time. It will also make the training more beneficial as your team can take their time if they find a particular aspect difficult.

Cut costs

If you decide to move your training virtual, your budget will benefit! There are many ways that virtual training will reduce your costs:

• You don’t have to pay for the trainer or coach to commute to the event. Since the training will be happening on virtual event platforms you do not need to provide transport for them. They simply log on and can provide the training from their home.
• More of your team can attend the training. Your team is not restricted to an enclosed room with virtual training, so more people can attend. You could also record the training to deliver it to new members of your team. So, the price of the training per person is reduced overall.
• No classroom costs. Your virtual training does not need teaching materials, food, or classroom rental. You will also save the cost of transporting your team to a new venue.
• Less production time away from work. There is no commute with virtual training. Even if your physical training was happening in the same office building it takes a couple of minutes for the team to go to and from the training.

You can use the money saved by using virtual training to benefit your team in other ways. So it’s a win-win for your team.

Better Accessibility

Your virtual training session also reaps the benefits of being accessible to everyone on your team. There are no geographical restraints, so everyone can train together. If you have an international office, people from different countries can train at the same virtual location. This will lead to better diversity for your training, with people having more interesting discussions on the call. The in-depth discussions will help your team to benefit more from the training.

You can also invite specialized trainers from any part of the world to give your team the best training possible. It will be easier for you to find the perfect trainer to teach your colleagues the skills they need, without needing to fly them out. Again, your trainer can be from any part of the world, making virtual training more diverse. Different trainers will make the training more engaging for your team, there’s no better way to keep things interesting than a new voice.

Easy to apply to the working day

Virtual training allows your team to benefit from working in their job at the same time as the training is happening. As they are learning and doing their job at the same time, they will be able to practice what they have learned while they work. Your team can apply the skills more gradually, as opposed to doing all the training at one time and having to apply it to the job straight away. As the working world is moving more towards technology, it makes sense that training should too. Your team will achieve new technical skills outside the scope of the training. They will practice getting to know their team online using virtual communication. This will prepare your team for using a virtual events platform to communicate with colleagues and customers.

How do I run my virtual training?

Now that you know all the benefits of virtual training, you’re ready to run your first virtual training. The first thing you will need is a virtual events platform. Don’t forget that not all virtual event platforms are the same, so try to get one with interactive features. The more engagement at your training, the more your team will learn.

‍Remo is a super engaging virtual events platform. We have features like breakout rooms and customizable floor plans that will make your virtual training exciting! But take a look for yourself with our free Free Plan. We also have some success stories you can read to see how other companies found our product.