Training content
Online facilitation and facilitating hybrid meetings
We regularly facilitate virtual and hybrid formats ourselves – award-winning consulting with more than 21 years of experience.
What we offer on virtual facilitation & collaboration
Online-facilitation training
- Prepare and facilitate online-meetings professionally!
- Online tools and methods
- Creating positive group dynamics in remote teams
Moderators for Online Meetings, Retreats, Large Groups
- Professionally facilitated online-workshops
- Activating and interactive Formats
- Promoting cohesion in remote teams
Leadership Collaboration in virtual Teams
- Develop lead virtual teams
- Transform remote teams into high-performance teams
- Trust, reliability, collaboration
Can online meetings completely replace face-to-face meetings?
Quite a lot can go wrong in virtual meetings. Here are some examples that we address directly in the training: You can achieve the same goals with online meetings and virtual workshops – but sometimes you have to take a different route.
In our digital training courses, you will learn how to achieve even better results in online-meetings and skilfully designed online-workshops than in conventional "face-to-face meetings".
The challenges in virtual meetings
Quite a lot can go wrong in virtual meetings. Here are some examples that we address directly in the training:
Little interaction
Meetings seem rigid, there is little interaction. The cameras are switched off, one person is holding a monologue, there is little interaction or discussion. This hardly generates any creative ideas and no culture of innovation.
Limited perception
People are used to perceiving on several "levels". Gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice are certainly conveyed in video meetings. Body language details, on the other hand, can be lost - this "perception level" is only available to us to a limited extent via video conferencing.
Pitfalls in communication
Spoken communication in online tools is different and sometimes limited. Sentences become shorter, language changes, nuances are sometimes not perceived. In our training for online moderation and virtual meetings, we teach you how to effectively compensate for these effects.
Sequence of events
Even in online-workshops, strong characters may dominate the meeting. You can avoid this by using a clever scenario or a well laid-out proceeding. We teach you what it takes for a successful remote workshop/meeting.
Dealing with unequal "presence"
The tendency for extroverted participants to dominate in online meetings and for introverts not to have as much "air time" is reinforced in virtual meetings if you don't counteract as a moderator. We will show you, as future online-facilitators, proven methodologies on how to Engage and activate silent participants.
No feedback for presenters
For presenters or trainers who have to get content across, it often feels like speaking into a black hole with no response. While you are talking, everyone else gets quieter and quieter and you wonder whether they are still listening and what has actually landed. In face-to-face meetings, listeners can become sleepy or distracted too. In our training on professional online facilitation we show you the tricks for avoiding this in virtual meetings, and how to respond skilfully so that everyone stays focused and involved.
Technical challenges
As a moderator and presenter, you need to prepare online meetings much better and also have Plan B and C ready in case something goes wrong. But what to do if the Internet connection suddenly suffers breaks down or other technology involved doesn't work as expected? We show you how these situations can be faced and resolved professionally in virtual meetings.
In-depth knowledge of tools and their functions
In most virtual meetings only a few features of online meeting tools are used: audio and screen sharing. Most tools allow far more virtual interaction once you know the features and know how to use them well. We teach you formats and tools with which you can achieve far more online than just showing things and collecting comments.
The physical environment in online meetings
Where I sit, and whether I am on my own or in a room with several participants, makes a difference. Is the room too noisy? That disturbs the other participants. Is the background too private? That looks unprofessional … With us you also learn how to run online meetings professionally from a home office.
These are the methods and tools you will get to know
If you want to facilitate efficient online-meetings and good virtual teamwork, you need these skills:
- Knowledge of suitable tools
- Practice in applying virtual interactive methods
- Skilful handling of functions and platforms
- Knowledge of how to control group dynamics in a virtual environment
- Development of efficient and goal-oriented workshop-formats that work well in online-meetings
- Measures and tools to promote and consolidate collaboration in remote teams
Training for Professional Online Moderation of Virtual Meetings
With us you learn
- how to use these tools efficiently to get things done in a short time
- Methods and formats to make meetings interactive
- how to promote group dynamics in such a way that close cooperation is developed in remote teams in the long run
- which platforms are particularly suitable for which purpose
- how to select the appropriate online-tools and use them effectively and professionally
- know all relevant functions
- and you will learn goal-oriented workshop scenarios and formats to achieve your workshop goals in online-meetings.
These are the methods and tools you will get to know
- Interactive, engaging, and activating online methods with which you can develop goals, strategies, and action plans online in all group sizes
- how to use interaction-triggering elements online in a targeted manner
- how opinion-forming and decision-making work efficiently and fairly in the virtual space
- Methods on how to specifically prepare your online presentations for this medium, so that you can convince your audience and receive feedback
- How to present yourself best, with optimal audio quality and suitable background
- alternating small group work online
- How to skillfully implement "Liberating Structures" and other activating online workshop methods
- virtual constellations that map polarities and opinions and create resources for collaboration
- how to share small group results online and form valuable extracts from them
- how to design plenary discussions "in large rounds" effectively
- How to celebrate special team moments online, project milestones, team holidays....
Raw outline of the training
We always train online
Because you only learn to swim in the water.
A digital mix of methods
A digital mix of methods that keeps everyone actively involved: interactive online sessions, work in learning groups between the sessions and exchange on a virtual training platform to consolidate what has been learned between the training dates.
Case clinic & transfer
We encourage participants to try out what they have learned directly in their work, so that we can reflect on the results, the difficulties and the moments of insight in the training.
Tips, tricks and methods
We show tips, tricks, and methods that bring quick changes
Leading virtual teams
We will also train you to meet the challenges in leading virtual teams
new ways of working
But we also talk about "new ways of working" and how you can embed online-meetings into new work processes
Online Workshop Moderation: Questions Addressed in the Training
- How can I, as an online moderator, conduct a web meeting or webinar and focus the attention of participants?
- In an online-meeting or webinar, how can I foster the participation of individuals and the interaction between participants ?
- Which tools are particularly suitable for which purposes in online-meetings? And if you are bound to certain tools: How do you get the most out of your existing toolkit?
- What can I do to avoid misunderstandings and lead virtual meetings with confidence?
- What is the best way to prepare web meetings and how do I design a webinar in the virtual classroom?
- What online-facilitation tips are there for the individual phases of the online-meeting?
- How do I conduct online-workshops in an efficient, interactive and participation-oriented way?
- Can I do exercises and group work in the virtual classroom?
- How can a team feeling be created in virtual team meetings?
- How can I tell that the attendees of my digital webinar really understood the material?
- How do I deal with different nations, behaviours and language barriers in a virtual meeting or webinar?
We always offer our online facilitation training tailor-made. If you are looking for a short course in professional online facilitation, we keep to the essentials. If you want to dive deep into the subject, we develop a suitable curriculum for you as well – we always train to fit.
We tailor-make our training concepts, so that we meet the exact needs of our clients and trainees. We do not deliver a standard programme. In doing so, we use the platforms that you are familiar with and already use in your everyday work-life.
We always train to fit; the exact structure depends on the learning objectives we define with you beforehand. These (or similar) formats are frequently booked, however:
- We conduct a non-binding initial interview
- make you an offer (as above - or modified to your needs)
- We determine the goals and contents of the training together with you
- create an individual curriculum for your company
- carry out the training
- provide high-quality and informative training documents for downloading
- evaluate the success and participant assessments in the follow-up, if you wish.
Short Training: Moderation of Online Meetings
We always offer our online facilitation training tailor-made. If you are looking for a short course in professional online facilitation, we keep to the essentials. If you want to dive deep into the subject, we develop a suitable curriculum for you as well – we always train to fit.
Hybrid formats are becoming more and more important in the everyday life of many companies and organisations. Hybrid formats are workshops or events in which some of the participants take part in person and others online.
The challenge is to give all participants, whether in the home office or on site, the same opportunities to take part and to interact. But how do people on site and people taking part virtually share the same working tools, such as virtual pinboards, voting tools and so on? Ensuring this takes a certain amount of extra effort, both technically and in terms of staffing.
"Short and crisp"
- 3 h of punchy input
- try out some tools
- Attractive training documents with all the knowledge to download
"In-depth"
- 2 sessions of 2–3 h each
- pointed input
- Trying out and practising tools and formats
- Attractive training documents with all the knowledge to download
"Learning Journey"
- 3 sessions of 2–3 h each
- pointed input
- Trying out and practising tools and formats
- Acquisition of a "method toolkit"
- Developing your own workshop processes
- Meeting in small groups between the workshops to further try out and practice together
- Exchange and sharing of learning experiences on a virtual learning platform between training sessions
- Attractive training documents with all the knowledge to download
In our hybrid facilitation practice – as consultants we now regularly facilitate such hybrid formats – we have seen every relevant pitfall by now, and we would like to spare you every one of those mistakes.
Training hybrid meetings and hybrid workshops
Hybrid formats are becoming more and more important in the everyday life of many companies and organisations. Hybrid formats are workshops or events in which some of the participants take part in person and others online.
The challenge is to give all participants, whether in the home office or on site, the same opportunities to take part and to interact. But how do people on site and people taking part virtually share the same working tools, such as virtual pinboards, voting tools and so on? Ensuring this takes a certain amount of extra effort, both technically and in terms of staffing.
In our hybrid facilitation practice – as consultants we now regularly facilitate such hybrid formats – we have seen every relevant pitfall by now, and we would like to spare you every one of those mistakes.
We have
- Implementation tips
- Proven tips for the technical setup
- Tools that have proven to work also under hybrid conditions
- Things you should definitely pay attention to already when inviting and planning hybrid events
- Proven practical tips for hybrid and yet very efficient breakout groups
- Time for all your questions
- Example proceedings for interactive elements in a hybrid environment
- Time to work on your practical examples
10 Reasons why You should Participate in our Webinar for Online Moderation Methods
- Comprehensive training: You get to know the subject in full depth and breadth. After the training you are guaranteed to be an online facilitation specialist.
- Experienced practitioners: Our trainers are experienced practitioners
- Learning from the model: We apply virtual facilitation methods in the training itself. So you learn from the very first minute.
- Bookable at any time: A wide choice of dates available.
- Individual: We adapt the training content to your specific needs.
- Flexible on timing: Our trainers live and work in different time zones and are well used to working with clients in international settings.
- case clinic: Coaching for tricky cases and particular challenges too (also bookable as individual coaching).
- Customised:: Tailor-made trainings for closed groups ("inhouse trainings")
- Current expertise: Our trainers are specialists and long-standing users of the methods, approaches and formats taught here – they come from practice.
- Good value: A lot of output for a moderate investment (more than worth the money).
One on one coaching reflecting your individual needs regarding online meetings
- Are you a manager, project leader, or internal consultant?
- Our training on facilitating online meetings and virtual and hybrid meetings is aimed at existing groups from companies or organisations (in-house training). We do not currently offer open courses for individuals.
- FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the online facilitation training
- Online-Moderation
- Moderation of virtual meetings
- Team building and team development for virtual teams
- Collaboration in virtual teams
- Leading remote teams
- Remote office culture
- Lateral leadership - online and offline
- Trust and reliability in virtual teams
Florian Grolman, Managing Consultant at initio Organisationsberatung
Your contact
FAQ
Managing Consultant · initio Organisationsberatung
What do you learn in the initio online facilitation training?
Everything you need to facilitate interactive meetings and workshops online: the right tools (with their strengths and weaknesses), plenty of methods and tricks. You learn to avoid the most common pitfalls. By the end you can facilitate workshops on any conceivable topic on your own.
How long does training for virtual meetings take?
That depends very much on your level of knowledge. We train beginners and advanced participants and adapt flexibly to your prior knowledge. Usually it is between 2 and 6 sessions of two hours each.
Can it be short and punchy?
Of course. If you want to prepare for a specific online meeting, we coach you personally beforehand and work out a coherent, activating and varied methodological sequence with you that you can be proud of.
How much does the online facilitation training cost?
Less than you think. Get in touch for a free initial consultation and a quote!
What our clients say
What clients say about working with us
A very helpful, well-run workshop. The results served us well through the restructuring phase too.
It was striking how much came out of our workshop. That was outstanding.
Many thanks again for the excellent collaboration, the organisation and the very good workshop results.
I am very happy with the consulting. The workshop moved us a long way forward. Thank you.
You prepared our workshop thoroughly and precisely. Both the method and the facilitation fitted our objectives very well. We were able to carry on working very successfully with the results. Many thanks.
Four days of workshop and still playful, creative, inspiring and well structured, with good methodology. Thoroughly recommended.
Thanks again for the excellent workshop — we have already started putting the first ideas into practice, and enjoying it.
Rarely have I been given a seminar so well structured and so well put together in terms of content.
The methods training was very helpful. We can warmly recommend initio Organisationsberatung for future seminars.
The seminar was very helpful and will stay with me for weeks and months.
The training was enjoyable and, above all, it moved us forward and inspired us. Thank you for that.
I thoroughly enjoyed working with you, personally and professionally, and it was a great pleasure to run this workshop with you.
Free initial consultation
Contact.
We have more than 21 years of experience and would be glad to advise you. Book your free initial consultation – we will get back to you.