No flights? No problem. We're still media training.
Face-to-face training sessions have obvious barriers at present, particularly if they involve air travel. So we've come up with an effective way of virtually training for media interviews and presentation skills. The secret is to structure the session differently.
There’s a lot of noise out there at the moment. Your stakeholders are being bombarded with information, and they want you to engage. No, wait. They NEED you to engage. That’s what leadership is about.
As a leader you’re expected to get on camera to deliver a clear, concise, well-presented message. We’ve already discussed how video messages are more effective than the standard CEO letter or note.
To come across well on camera, leaders need training. Even if it’s just a refresher course. But how do you access the right expertise with restricted movement?
From the first days of lockdown, we at HWM were asked by our clients to look at delivering media training effectively in a remote way. We’ve put our heads together, tried different things, put them into practice and came away with feedback. The end result: a suite of solutions that mix technology with ingenuity. We will give you the training you need, no matter where you are.
So how does remote media training work?
Here’s the idea: pre-Covid-19, HWM’s media training was in person, one to one or with small groups. On a training day we would usually mix up the “theory” and the “practical” aspect of what needs to be learned.
For remote training, we separate out the “theory” and “practical” elements. We also split the workshop into separate online segments (to allow for the fact that online is more tiring and demands more concentration than in-person training).
At the end of each session the participants “practise interviews” using the resources/technology available. We then review the interviews in playback with all participants at the next online session.
Participants practise interviews at their end using whatever resources they have. We review and analyse to prepare for the next session.
The key to message preparation
The key to online training is message preparation. Normally, we refine messages on the spot, in person, while practising interviews. But when we’re doing things remotely, we recommend having in-depth, online sessions with the company comms team, ahead of the training. This helps us all to outline and streamline messaging strategy and key topics in both English and Arabic. That way, we’re prepared before the online video training session starts.
The HWM team is working really hard to support our clients with their crisis communications and response. Get in touch today to see how our training can help your teams, no matter how remotely they’re locked down.