Zoom Training – The Right Way

Full disclosure: I own Zoom stock. So I’ve got a vested interest in seeing them succeed. And from recent experiences in Zoom-based training, I fear for their future. And my sanity.

These bad experiences motivated me to write about the basics of good training design. Ones you can – and definitely want to – apply to Zoom sessions.

* Keep it simple. Focus on what’s most important for participants to learn. What will help them succeed? What are the 1 or 2 things you want them to walk away with? Include only the must-haves. Forget the nice-to haves.

* Be practical. Provide useful and useable tips, tools, and concepts

* Use fewer slides with fewer words.

* Have less of you and more of them. Break up the content with questions to participants. And, when possible, let them answer them directly. Use breakouts to engage participants with each other. And when you say “we’ll leave time for questions at the end,” mean it.

* Be energetic and keep things moving with humor.

There are also a number of technical things that enhance a session. For example, use speaker view, mute non-speakers, use video sparingly if at all, have someone who can drive the session and troubleshoot if needed.

And please remember – while smart use of technology will keep your training running, only good design will keep participants engaged and learning!