The new WebEx Meetings is focused on making online meetings easy.
The user interface makes starting an online meeting as simple as one click! The price of a meeting is very affordable - you can get a free Basic account - and you can host a meeting with two other people using your computer for audio by starting an instant meeting!
Get your free Basic WebEx Meetings account here. Here's how to get started with your first meeting.
This blog comes at the request of a tweet from @AlisonScammell.
“I’m looking at #webinar ice breaker ideas. Does anyone have any suggestions? #webex”
What a great question!
WebEx is incredibly useful for online meetings, but bringing a group of people together across time zones in remote locations can present some challenges when it comes to warming up the room. We posted some tips last week for adding color to your meetings which creates a mood. And we’ve talked about using polls and the whiteboard.
But what else can you do to get things moving? Here are 15 ideas that we think are well suited for online meetings or webinars. Read More »
Are you collaborative communicator?
You can do a better job with meetings by using Cisco's Clarity of Purpose Model - a four-step process for having better meetings. By defining the meeting's purpose, establishing presentation goals and structure, clearly communicating expectations and owning your meeting, you can improve the quality of your meetings. Instantly.
Watch this video of Vice President of Corporation Positioning, Ron Ricci as he explains the model and how you can use it to be a better leader.
Then read his article, Meeting Hell: Stop Wasting Time where he talks about the time wasted in meetings. You can change the way your company is doing business with just a few changes in your approach to meetings.
Here are some more tips on making your next meeting a success. Based on research conducted by WebEx, we know 9 out of 10 workers would prefer to interact with their co-workers in any other way than to attend a meeting.
It's time to change the way we work. We hope these tools are a useful first step.
Since WebEx has to be so many things to so many people, the opening screen we provide is very neutral (click on the images to enlarge).
For me, arriving at a meeting with a big white screen is almost disappointing. I sit there waiting for someone to share their desktop or switch to video chat – I am inspired by visuals and once I have something to see, I am engaged.
Adding color to your WebEx is very easy.
Maybe the fastest way to establish visual engagement is to load an image into your meeting as soon as you start it. I usually fire up the WebEx a minute early and import a picture to set the mood. Here’s how it looks:
To import the image simply go to Share > File > From My Computer and then upload an image file.
If I want to stimulate pre-meeting conversation as folks arrive, I choose a provocative image. If I just want folks to relax and focus on what I want to talk about, I choose something soothing – very non-office like.
I use PowerPoint to rapidly edit an image by adding an agenda (a text box) to the image. Then PowerPoint will let you save a slide as a .jpg that can be easily imported into WebEx. The type is a little bit pixilated but it's easy and fast.
Don’t have much time? Simply share!
The other easy way to set the mood – or even “brand” your meeting – is to immediately share your desktop and use an internet page as your background. Loading your company webpage as the visual can be a fast way to let people know they’ve come to the right place without requiring a lot of extra work on your part.
Just click “Share Desktop” as soon as your meeting loads.
Be sure to open the participant list so you can see who is arriving at your meeting while you're sharing your desktop (see top of the image above). And also make sure email, IM, chat or anything else that might be an unexpected surprise is turned off.
You can get a free trial of WebEx and host your own online meeting easily. Give it a try - and have some fun creating a great setting for your next meeting.
So you have put together a great webinar. Used our tips for doing things right and avoiding mistakes. But you need to get people to come!
That’s where social media can help.
We have a few short webinars we created based on what we do at WebEx for our events. We use our blog, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to spread the word both before and after our events. We also recommend recording your webinar to you can enjoy the long tail of engagement.
I have put together a short WebEx that explains how we promote our events at WebEx. Watch it here.
And remember, you can always read more...
Watch this on-demand WebEx to learn five key steps for delivering a successful webinar.
This is one of two webinars expert Sharon Burton has recorded for us to help you create a successful event.
From her book, “Eight Steps to Amazing Webinars,” Sharon runs through five key areas that are often neglected when producing a webinar. In this short session, you’ll learn how to manage the process, add value to your event, extend the reach of your event and more.
We found four organizations that are taking full advantage of technology and using webinars to add value to their brand, reach new customers, educate their audiences and/or support their current staff.
We hope these folks offer inspiration as you plan your next event.
This is a member-driven organization of e-learning professionals that use webinars for showcasing the latest ideas from a range of expert speakers. Their hour-long webinars teach new techniques and strategies. The monthly events are recorded so users can view them at their leisure. For example, on January 17, 2012, “The Secrets to Rapid eLearning Success” dealt with keeping up with the latest technological demands and producing effective e-learning.
An online community interested in the process or the ability to engage people in understanding ideas, not the final product, uses webinars to educated people about visual thinking and about other topics, like “Journalism in the Age of Data.” They have set up a nice page with easy access to their series of webinars that are free to the public. This is a great way to help people find your library and see what you have to offer.
An independent, nonprofit, PetSmart Charities uses online webinars to train volunteers and staff working to help animals. They have programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. Read More »
And what to do to avoid them!
A well-run webinar increases leads, adds value to your brand, and educates and informs your audience. A poorly run webinar can make your company look foolish and unprofessional. It’s a high-profile opportunity to shine and we want to make sure you do everything you can to succeed.
In this 20 minute on-demand WebEx, industry insider Sharon Burton discusses five common mistakes people make when giving a webinar. Learn what those mistakes are and how to avoid them. Read More »
In today's 24/7 work week, finding the time to finish everything on the to-do list can be next to impossible.
Since you can't add hours to the day, the solution is to “work smarter,” right? Well, how do you do that, exactly? You don't have to work harder, longer or faster... here are seven easy steps to try and squeeze more output out of your workday.
1. Mono-task.
Be more productive and concentrate on doing one thing at a time well, instead of doing several things and giving them a quarter (if that) of your attention. Ali Hale from Dumb Little Man offers more tips to help you focus.
2. Don't procrastinate.
This seems obvious, but putting off something until later can waste your valuable time, especially if you spend any time whatsoever thinking about the job you're avoiding. Rita Emmett, author of “The Procrastinator's Handbook,” says that “the dread of doing a job uses up more time and energy than doing the job itself.” If you're spending a lot of time worrying about that big project, tackle it first. To learn more about being a “recovering procrastinator,” read more of her advice.
3. Delegate.
Got underlings? Use 'em. Baron Christopher Hanson, lead consultant of RedBaron Strategy/Consulting, offers an example of how small-business owners can use a particular delegation metric in order to improve their profit margins; this metric could be applied to a variety of situations. It's worth a try and the upside is all yours.
4. Set boundaries.
If you find yourself being constantly interrupted by coworkers, phone calls, texts and email, the cure is to build a few fences and eliminate those distractions. Fast Company's Expert Blog tapped the Blanchards who note that the most productive and happy workers are the ones who set boundaries. Ken Blanchard explains, "In some organizations, even the concept of boundaries is alien. People are expected to be available as needed. That’s why you have to set boundaries for yourself."
5. Eschew obfuscation (hee, hee, be clear).
Again, it's obvious, but if your team doesn't understand your instructions, they will spend a lot of time asking questions and wasting your time. Same goes for you and your boss. Make sure you understand the project and its scope up front, before you get started. Writer Jeff Goins, author of The eBook Manifesto, offers some great tips.
6. Slow down, double check.
Your new mantra: If you don't have time to do it right, you don't have time to do it over. Just ask bestselling author Seth Godin. Finishing well is critical and in Seth's words, it's "how you will be judged."
7. Reduce stress.
Since increased job-related stress can have an effect on your physical self, not to mention your productivity, it behooves you to try and live as stress-free as possible. David Allen's book, Getting Things Done, talks about practicing stress-free productivity, overcoming your feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed, and is chock full of clear, helpful tips. You can also check out the American Institute of Stress and see what they say about "America's number-one health problem".
What are you tips for working more effectively?
I am not a great networker.
I don't really enjoy parties, I hate talking on the phone and I don't have a lot of patience for idle chit chat. But I know these are the kinds of things that help keep my professional network alive. And having a thriving professional network is pretty much essential in today's work environment.
So is there a way to network that won't be so painful?
Thankfully, the answer is "yes". From the experts, here are five ways you can keep your network alive.
1. Have a positive attitude.
Okay, I appreciate the irony, especially if you share my position on networking! From the Washington Post Career Coach, "Networks are critical to our success." We have to bite the bullet and here's why.
2. Be prepared.
If you are approaching networking formally - like for a job search when informational interviewing is an important tool - be ready to manage the entire interaction. The TimesUnion's Tom Denham offers a list of dos and don'ts (including some great questions to ask) to make the meeting a success.
3. Let people who are good at networking help you.
When you work hard to cultivate your core network, you build trust and then, when you really need a referral or introduction, your core network is there, ready to help. Ivan Misner from Entrepreneur explains the value in Key to Networking.
4. Let social media help you.
Penelope Trunk, the wizard behind Brazen Careerist, talks about the value in using tools like LinkedIn, Twitter and blogging. Goodness knows blogging has worked for her (and if you aren't following Brazen Careerist on Facebook, you should be. She offers great content for career development.
5. Face your fears.
So you have read tips 1-4 and thought, how nice but I can't do this. I am still too chicken. You aren't alone. Denise O'Berry at The QuickBase Blog has some down-to-earth tips to help you get over your initial fears. Three simple tricks that will help you take those first steps to getting out there. Remember, we are all human and generally, other people want to help you succeed. You really have nothing to lose!
And finally, I just came across this from Inc. Magazine, an article by Harvey Mackay. He suggests there is one Golden Rule for networking:
My Golden Rule of Networking is simple: Don't keep score...What makes that a little tricky is that it goes against every naturally acquisitive, ambitious and self-serving impulse in you. [read the entire story]
I hope these help you stay on track. We owe it to ourselves to invest this time in our careers and our relationships. I would love to hear if you have other ideas. Please comment on this story if you do!
