In this article, I will walk you through everything you need to do to make your next virtual breakout session more fun and engaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are Breakout Sessions Really Worth It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Liz Lathan, CEO Haute Dokimazo<\/strong> says: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust like with face-to-face meetings, people attend virtual events for learning and making connections. So, locking people for long hours doesn’t cut it. It doesn\u2019t work in live meetings, and it won’t work in a virtual setting either.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n That is why during virtual meetings, breakout sessions provide room to breathe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They offer more one-on-one conversations that help to engage the participants. They also help generate a more conversational and welcoming experience for the attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Case Study:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To illustrate this better, let\u2019s look at an experiment<\/a> conducted by HCA Healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They introduced virtual breakout sessions into two separate online sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each online session was an hour and a half long. And the breakout sessions were timed at 15 minutes. After the session, participants came back to the main group and reported their breakout discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Individuals reported loving this format of virtual meetings. The closer interaction between group members facilitated learning. In the end, 86<\/strong>% of participants were happy to try breakout sessions again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, the take-away is, even though virtual breakout sessions are challenging, they are worth the effort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When done right, they can greatly enhance learning and spark conversation. It results in healthy group discussions and better engagement overall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Virtual breakout sessions surely have their own merits, some of which are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Online breakout sessions are highly advantageous. But you may have to with a <\/a>few hiccups along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of these might be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though breakout sessions can be a pain for you, planning them properly can be key to generating new ideas, finding solutions, and creating understating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, to get the most out of your breakout sessions, follow these tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.<\/strong> Appoint a Moderator<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting a moderator to manage your breakout ensures greater efficiency and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since moderators are expert in the industry, they can help facilitate the session and will be able to know if there are any technical issues <\/p>\n\n\n\n They can also guide participants if they face difficulty navigating the breakout sessions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.<\/strong> Tech Test<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To carry out a successful online session, fix problems even before they occur. Here\u2019s a great infographic<\/a> from Quill.com you can use for virtual sessions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides this, you should also consider if your chosen platform matches your meeting\u2019s goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For a breakout session to go smoothly, your platform must be equipped to support the way you plan to carry out exercises and activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Otherwise, you may face unnecessary delays on the day of the presentation due to a mismatch of format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.<\/strong> Come Prepared<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Targets are easier to achieve when things are done according to plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For an online event, it is best to sort out your plan in advance. And it is also important to communicate the plan to all attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is to make sure that all participants show up prepared for the session when they know what is expected of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If there is one thing that single-handedly makes breakout sessions more effective, it is ENGAGEMENT<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The structured small groups generate organic conversation. They also let the participants get to know each other better and create meaningful connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Amy C. Edmondson<\/a> and Gene Daley<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, while striving to make things more interactive and interesting, it is easy to lose track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is hard to know if what you are doing is right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So here is a list of some tips you can use to make your breakout sessions more engaging and productive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.<\/strong> Initiate Fun Activities <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is nothing better than an icebreaker to make people feel a little more at ease. The same concept applies to the virtual world as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The host of the meeting has to be the icebreaker to make a breakout session more fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They can ask an interesting question from the participants. Or they can have them take part in a fun little activity to get things started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Such actions can make people feel more welcomed and relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.<\/strong> Get Everyone on Board <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n During breakout sessions, it is important to make sure that everyone gets a chance to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For this, employ a bridge moderator who makes sure no one is left out from group discussion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is their job to assist anyone facing technical issues to ensure total inclusivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Give Clear Instructions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As a host, it is your job to clearly communicate any and all meeting instructions with the participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People have different ways of soaking in information. So, it is best to provide them the instruction in every way possible- be it verbal, written, or through visuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, don\u2019t forget to include instructions about how your online platform works so that attendees know what to expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4.<\/strong> Gather Feedback<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of the session, ask participants for their feedback on how to improve the overall experience. After all, we are all a work in progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, listening to the valuable feedback of your attendees and acting on it promptly is necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It will guarantee a quality experience for both you and your meeting attendees next time. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat are the Benefits of Virtual Breakout Sessions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reasons Why Breakout Sessions Can be a Pain for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Ensure Smooth Breakout Session?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Test your online platform in advance for any bugs or technical issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/MN9R70KNmENCFkGWcN_fEIlLkhF2l6y4WYw1kmCEP-AxCZLTfamE_1_usHN08wY6ufyx2HlHURujMx18NgzU23Spl_fq6PGuA1Ng7xpFbGS0RxN-FVEIbclDq_kcrIAUydXezic\" "\\"-\\"")
How to Make Your Breakout Sessions More Engaging?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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