How to perfect a hybrid presentation. We recently spoke with a CEO who felt nervous about public speaking in a hybrid office. “When I speak now, it’s simple. Everyone is using Zoom,” he told us. “What happens when some people go home while others still work from home?”
His worries are justified. While Zoom presentations aren’t ideal, at least the audience is on a level playing field. Literally, the boxes on the screen are the same size. On the other hand, hybrid presentations can put remote participants at a serious disadvantage. One major reason has to do with the energy produced when we are together – and the energy that is lacking when we are not together. We share the energy partly from the nonverbal cues that occur when we are in the room together. Knowledgeable looks, facial expressions, and personal eye contact are all part of making conversation more natural. It’s worth noting that this isn’t available online, and the lack of shared power between remote participants can be frustrating (hence one of Zoom’s fatigue factors).
Business leaders
Business leaders looking to make hybrid presentations more inclusive, energetic, and successful can turn to the classroom for guidance. At the start of the pandemic and lockdown, we worked with a number of teachers and educators looking to improve speaking and screen presence. This school year, as some students return to school, we have seen remarkable teachers face the challenge of teaching effectively in blended classrooms.
We recently had the privilege of seeing one in action. This 7th-grade teacher from Bethesda is teaching poetry to a hybrid class. We were immediately impressed by his energy. Her body was in constant motion, and her eyes were constantly moving from the screen to the faces in the room. He also encourages children to be active – ask to raise their hands or ask children far away to stand up to read. Most importantly, he assigned small workgroups where remote and on-screen kids work together. Even though they’re mixed, the whole class is one.
Here are seven strategies for presenters and meeting moderators to engage people more effectively in their hybrid audience:
Focus on the positive.
Instead of focusing on mixed meeting responsibilities, focus on the value each person can bring. Consider how remote and in-person attendees can benefit from your presentation. And how can the whole experience be richer with a combined audience? A positive mindset will help you make people a big part of your presentation. Furthermore, this state of mind is highly contagious. The presenter sets the tone for the entire experience. If the presenter believes and expresses enthusiasm about the hybrid experience, it will positively affect the audience’s experience.
Ask to turn on the camera.
In hybrid meetings, it is more important than ever for remote participants to turn on their cameras to show their full presence. It’s also essential that the presenter be able to visually interact with the entire audience, not just the people in the room.
To level the playing field, consider asking in-person attendees to bring their laptops and turn on their cameras, and remain silent when not speaking. It can also be helpful to have a screen at the front of the room so everyone can see the participants from afar.
Make direct eye contact.
Start your presentation by looking directly and purposefully at the camera. This sends a message to the whole team that everyone on Zoom is essential. Try to focus the camera as if you were making contact with a person. Then, throughout the presentation, keep switching between looking at the individuals in the room and directing your attention back to the camera.
Move around to include everyone.
As your presentation begins, move closer to the camera to help remote participants feel connected to what’s happening in the room. As you continue speaking, intentionally move toward the people in the room, then back to the camera. But remember to keep the camera frame in mind. You don’t want to venture too far from the plane. This back-and-forth movement demonstrates greater inclusivity and makes participants in and out of the room feel more connected to each other.
Also, consider lighting. If someone in the room is speaking, pick up the camera (laptop) and bring it closer to the speaker (if they don’t have their own). This reminds everyone in the room that their distant colleagues are part of the room.
Emotionally engage remote attendees.
The hybrid model need not be a passive experience for those who are connecting. Helping them feel heard and seen is essential. Personally greet virtual attendees at the start of the session. And continue to reach out and engage them throughout the presentation. Easier said than done. The presenters may have the best intentions, but their attention will naturally be drawn to the people in the room. Designate a specific time in the presentation to speak to remote participants one-on-one and embed the message in content exclusive to those connected. 6.
Promote collaborative cooperation.
When dividing a larger presentation into smaller groups, the temptation is to put people in person and remotely into separate groups. This reinforces the idea that the two are separate teams rather than a team working together. Instead, try blending. Ask virtual and live participants to work together.
Be brief.
Zoom makes us waste less time in presentations. When we return to the room, resist the temptation to talk even longer. Keep mixed pitches as short and effective as possible. Try to time the meeting according to the energy levels of the remote participants. In the end, everyone will love it.
One of the potential benefits of hybrid presentations is that people join from their preferred location. The 7th grade teacher told us it creates more equity in her classroom and her classroom is richer as each student learns from her best. This state of mind is inspiring, both for students and business leaders. As we enter this new era of hybrid presentations, let’s follow his lead and strive to create an inclusive and energizing environment for everyone in the audience 카지노사이트.