Revive Audio Conferences
September 08, 2008
Mobile workforces have made new training technologies obsolete and are placing an even greater demand on tried-and-true audio training, which can provide just-in-time learning.
By Kendra Lee
While interactive audio training is hardly new, it hasn't been used by organizations for some time. It's been replaced by Webinars and podcasts, which are sleek and exciting, but don't always meet the needs of mobile employees, such as field sales reps and technicians who are not in the office on a predictable basis.
The result? Organizations don't realize the full value of their training programs, and mobile employees are forced to "catch up" with training during off hours when their concentration levels—and interest—aren't ideal.
Faced with this dilemma, forward-thinking companies are returning to audio conferences as an effective just-in-time learning option. Here are some of the ways they're making audio conferences work:
• Establish effective lengths: Schedule audio conferences to meet the needs of the audience. This might mean a series of short, quick-hitting 10-minute sessions that cover one technique at a time, or extended 60- to 90-minute sessions covering a topic in depth. We have found that a series of four to six weekly or bi-monthly audio conferences are well received and attended because their impact on participants' time is minimal.
• Know the learning objectives: Often, because it appears so easy, trainers don't invest the same level of development preparation as they would for a Webcast or face-to-face program. Without that time investment, the program misses the mark. Outline the key messages to be conveyed and build in interactive discussion topics and activities.
• Provide materials: Create a participant workbook and make it available for download or via e-mail one or two days prior to the session. Include plenty of space for note taking and practice work.
• Embrace improv: While instructor-led training allows trainers to nearly memorize a script and add personal experiences, interactive audio conferences draw on improvisation skills. Without slides to guide them, participants let their minds explore different avenues, and great discussions ensue. A good facilitator creates guided discussions covering key learning points almost without participants feeling "trained."
• Address all levels of "learners": For example, if you are training salespeople how to get past a gatekeeper when prospecting, provide the basics while including advanced techniques for difficult gatekeeper situations only skilled sellers would encounter. Be sure to invite managers if they are expected to reinforce the content delivered.
• Record it: This will be helpful for participants who are unable to attend and for others who want to listen again. Set up recording of audio conferences and make them available on your Website or e-mail them to everyone enrolled. You'll find people listen to them on their iPod and refer back to them as a refresher.
• Make it a resource: After the recording, you will find many uses for your audio conferences. Often the message is pertinent for a period of several months, maybe even a year or longer. Consider using your audio conferences as resources for new hire development, channel partners, and other ancillary departments working with the primary audience. Extract clips to include in other training programs. Highlight it as a reinforcement resource.
The ancillary benefit of audio conferencing is the fact that it's simple to set up and doesn't require intricate graphic presentations. In fact, audio conferences usually require nothing more than a conference line with recording capabilities. Participants can call in from wherever they are and gather important information in a timely way, without leaving their field duties to attend a Webinar or class.
For more information, contact KLA Group at 303.741.6636 or info@klagroup.com, or visit
www.klagroup.com.
Kendra Lee is president of KLA Group. Specializing in the IT industry, KLA Group helps companies rapidly penetrate new markets, break into new accounts, and shorten time to revenue with new products in the small and medium-sized business (SMB) market.
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