Lea Remigio

The obvious reason to record your software training sessions using web conferencing tools is for use as a future training tool. A while back, I started using ReadyTalk to do this on web conference training sessions and making the video available to participants afterward. It’s a common practice. And a good one.

Recently, however, I stumbled onto another good reason to record training sessions which is especially helpful when working in person with a group of people. Recording a session puts people on their best behavior and keeps them focused.

I used to work in a small, close-knit office where most staff had worked for years. Everyone knew each other well and liked each other a lot. It was a great place to work, but often our staff meetings and small group work sessions got consumed with tales of family tragedy, medical procedures, political viewpoints, gossip, new diets, pets, and topics that have to be looked up on Urban Dictionary. Meetings that should have lasted an hour could last three. A good time was usually had by all and the work somehow always got done, but I struggled to keep meeting agendas and keep focus. I usually found myself getting sucked in to the camaraderie and leaving the meeting feeling less than accomplished. Sometimes we all just turned into a flock of squawking chickens and wandered away from our agenda, pecking at various shiny things on the ground.

Then one day recently I discovered that recording one of our sessions via web conference tools was incredibly effective. Everyone stayed focused and engaged (or if they weren’t, they faked it really well, which is just as good). When we felt frustrated that we couldn’t speak our minds we employed hand signals and eye rolling and finished our sessions ahead of schedule! It was amazing.

Maybe a lot of other people have already figured this little trick out and I’m late to the party, but for those of you who haven’t thought of it, here you go. Fire up the web conference tools next time you’re conducting an information-rich meeting, click the record button, and stay on track.