If you think face-to-face training is the best way to go, think again. New research shows that a combined approach produces 35 to 69 percent better results than face-to-face alone.

What is a combined approach? It is a combination of application modes, grouped in a pattern to create the best result. For example, a blended course may involve a full day in person, followed by several one-hour webinars that run sequentially over several weeks. Another example could include a self-paced DVD program, followed by three two-hour webinars, followed by a live individual training session.

The combined approach offers even greater value than its impact on workplace results. It is also an important part of reducing the need to travel for training. The time in training sessions is time away from work, which is why many employers are happier with desk training that lasts just an hour or two. In addition, corporations around the world are eager to eliminate travel, weather in the city or on the other side of the world. So when your company offers some or all of its training online, you have a competitive advantage that the companies that hire you will value.

Therefore, if your company offers training services, it is important that you review how to restructure your training offerings to provide a significantly greater impact. If you are planning to take live online training via web conferencing technology, here are some success factors to help you.

  • Keep your online learning session short.

    For training webinars, limit each session to one to two hours. One hour is best, but two hours works well when the training is interactive enough.

  • Tell the students no to take notes, but to enjoy the experience of learning together.

    Promise your participating students a handout at the end of the session that captures all the notes on the slides. If your slides are proprietary, you don’t have to give them a copy. Instead, give them a high-value brochure detailing the critical points, lists, and actions that are required for your participants to be successful. In an online learning environment, a short, focused PDF booklet is better than a long, full book.

  • Design your training webinar for vigorous, relevant and continuous interaction.

    The most difficult audience in the world is the one that connects from the desktop. At any moment, people are seconds away from multitasking. The only way to prevent people from multitasking is to create (1) extremely high value content, (2) delivered at a fast pace, (3) interspersed with constant interaction that adds value to the learning experience at that moment. When online trainers cannot see students’ non-verbal cues, they must be even more deliberate in building high-quality interaction throughout the session.

  • Have students meet from individual desks, not from a conference room.

    For the highest level of interaction, it is best if each student is separately linked to the online learning session of the web conference. That allows each student to easily and quickly participate in surveys, chat discussions, copycat comments, and voice interaction. When students gather from a conference room, sharing a computer inhibits the quick interaction that is needed to keep everyone else involved. No one should be placed at a disadvantage from being a full and equal participant in learning.

  • Design your slides to engage the brain.

    Your students cannot see your face. But they can be very involved with the PowerPoint slides you use in your training webinar. Avoid standard Microsoft PowerPoint templates. Instead, look for business templates that best express the topic of your training. Avoid clip art. Instead, use commercially available photographs and photographic images. Avoid the standard format. Instead, skillfully learn how to create and design slides that will grab the attention of your desk students.

  • Teach online learning sessions as a team when you can.

    With experience and training, a single person can manage all aspects of an online learning session. But it’s best to teach as a team in your initial training webinars. For example, while one person gives directions, the other notes, administers polls, establishes chat conversations, observes student participation, and asks questions to maintain interaction.

  • Finish off with an online version of a standing ovation.

    You know it when you have given an excellent learning session. Students are eager to say how much they enjoyed the experience of learning with you. In an online learning environment, many trainers don’t get that feedback. Before ending the online learning session, ask students to use the chat to tell you what they learned and what they will apply. Encourage them to make several notes. Then a moment later, ask them what they liked best about the class. They can share their comments with the group or with you privately, as you specify. If you ask your participating students to share their comments publicly in the chat, everyone will see dozens of positive comments reinforcing the high value of your content, as well as a very enjoyable interactive session.

  • End the e-learning session with a three-minute online survey.

    Most web conferencing platforms will allow you to drop the student on a website where you can poll them on metrics that show the value of their online learning session or program. If you were hired by a company (versus individuals), summarize the information in the feedback form and send it to the customer. If the students signed up independently, please neutralize the comments and post the data on your website, along with citations (of course, with permission).