Zoom. We’ve all joked about how PowerPoint slide shows are boring and awful. What made us think it would be any different with videoconferencing?
Many of us haven’t figured out how to “Zoom” yet.
I feel qualified to make that judgement: I’ve watched my father help schools adopt learning management systems and videoconferencing for close to two decades. He’s been in IT, and training and development, for much longer.
He knows how to facilitate a group, in-person or online. He has figured out how to “Zoom,” because he knows to facilitate differently with the technology.
It’s a technology we have to figure out how to use effectively. Technology has been helping us for a long time: I have many clients who prefer to be coached over the phone. No distractions. Just a voice in your ear, helping you think.
A Zoom success story
Some of my clients have always met with me exclusively through Zoom. But when the pandemic forced other clients to use videoconferencing, I was surprised by how it helped. (My colleagues with Ford Motor Company’s Consumer Experience Movement get some credit here: Their learnings about remote coaching have helped many of us develop.)
I had a client battling a low customer service score. Our launch of an employee team to address the problem had to be conducted online thanks to the pandemic.
Other clients have found Zoom more effective than in-person.
The meeting was so easy to attend–in and out in 60 minutes–that we decided to meet more often. Every two weeks I facilitated the team researching the problem and implementing process improvement.
It led to 12 perfect surveys in a row. And it was more affordable for the client since I didn’t have to chew up an entire day, and travel expenses, to visit them.
Beyond faster and cheaper
Convenience is the tip of the iceberg. Other clients have found Zoom more effective than in-person: breakout groups, polling, passing the mic. Zoom has allowed some clients to have richer discussions than they might have had in-person, with more participation and deeper thinking.
I don’t always agree with Seth Godin, but his evolving thoughts on Zoom, et al (31-minute podcast) give a real picture of the opportunity we are all wrestling with.
If you’re thinking about how to implement online training and conferencing for your team, talk to my dad. And if you see opportunities to improve you and your team’s remote communication, let’s explore.