Going beyond the first keynote.
I’m seeing a trend where companies are demanding “more training” beyond the first keynote presentation. In the past, companies may have hired a popular keynote speaker for a general session at an in-person event. The speaker’s role was to inspire the audience, highlight the theme of the event, and amp up audience engagement. The following year, they hired a different keynote speaker with the same goals in mind, but who could deliver it with a different personality or a different perspective.
Now companies are looking for – and demanding – more.
The way in which companies do business has changed. It is in some ways easier, but oddly more difficult in others, to keep in touch with customers, engage employees, and keep teams working together effectively.
Learning new skills, changing the way things have always been done, and sharing information with team members who do not share the same geography – all of these goals can be met by looking at meetings and training programs through a new lens.
A new take on meetings and training.
Today’s virtual meeting space makes it possible for companies to approach training differently. Travel costs have been significantly reduced. And ever-advancing technology makes virtual meetings not only possible, but engaging and interactive.
Companies have realized there is more they can do for their employees and their organizations.
Internal training libraries deliver on-demand learning.
Virtual and hybrid meetings and training can be recorded, cataloged, and referenced long after the event takes place. Companies are able to provide their employees with more – and more targeted – training opportunities than ever before.
No longer are only certain employees able to benefit from advanced training or from hearing an inspirational keynote speaker who enthralled and excited his or her audience. Employees new to the company or those in new roles can access training targeted specifically toward their development as contributors and leaders in the company.
Keynote speakers delivering more.
Today’s virtual and hybrid meeting space allows keynote speakers to do more. They may deliver a keynote program that focuses on a high-level strategy – and then follow that program with a series of reinforcement training sessions during which that same speaker dives deeper with participants. This deeper dive can be delivered in several ways, depending on the goals of the learning and what delivery method works best.
Examples include:
- Webinars – live or on-demand
- Leadership coaching sessions via Zoom
- Online training courses
- Reinforcement virtual sessions 30, 60, or 90 days after their first event
Our speakers have responded to this trend like they always do: with creativity, enthusiasm, and ingenuity. They’ve embraced the idea of reinforcement training and truly enjoy taking audiences deeper into their areas of expertise. They provide a more personal experience for participants, and companies experience incredible gains from having greater access to our speakers.
Not only do our speakers provide additional, in-depth content, they are also speaking and teaching about topics and skills essential in today’s changing business climate.
- Marcus Sheridan – sales and virtual selling, digital marketing, and business growth
- Alan Stein, Jr. – organizational, leadership, and sales performance
- Jay Baer – business growth, customer experience, customer service, and marketing
- Shasta Nelson – connected leadership and a resilient workplace
- Steve Gutzler – leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal development
- Colette Carlson – stress, resiliency, and work-life balance
- Joey Coleman – customer and employee retention
- Jim Knight – leadership, organizational culture, and customer service
- Brian Fanzo – the future of work, technology, and trends
- Scott Shellstrom – creativity and innovation
Get creative with meetings and training programs.
The shift to meetings and training programs that go deeper is likely permanent. Be ready for companies to demand more. Seek out keynote speakers who can take your audiences beyond the keynote presentation. The right speaker with a program that delves deeper, and challenges participants to learn more and apply that learning, is an enormous asset to any company.
For more information on keynote speakers for hybrid, virtual, and in-person company events or training, we’d love to connect with you HERE.
Virtual meetings are great because we gotta admit that sometimes when you attend in-person meetings, you might end up zoning out. At the very least with virtual meetings, you have to focus your attention cause everyone can see what you’re doing.