Web 2.0 tools continue to give people an easy method to influence others through the expression of opinions, facts, pictures, and videos. This trend is growing and presenters, trainers, and leaders need to be fully aware of what is happening in your face-to-face and virtual meetings. People are no longer talking behind your back, they are electronically talking right in front of you. And, you’d better start listening!
In my July 2, 2008 blog post, Collaboration Trumps Control!, Josh Baer is credited for bringing this issue to my attention via his post titled “We need Twitter and IRC integration for PowerPoint” (June 15, 2008.) He makes the case for having real time feedback during a presentation via Twitter. Imagine you are part of a panel or giving a presentation where the participants get to raise questions, express opinions, rate your effectiveness, etc. with 144 characters or less in real time. Get the picture? It is coming.
Current TV collaborated with Twitter.com to air “Hack the Debate.” Comments from Twitter users were streamed live throughout the recent U.S.A. Vice President debate. As the debate rolls on, you see Twitter users providing real time comments that overlay the video and flow across the screen in the foreground.
Think back – when was the last time you saw a TV program focus primarily on the audience comments and secondarily on the broadcast. This is a huge shift that further shows how audiences are taking an active role in all types of presentations. Ignore the temptation to judge how useful it is and focus your attention on the fact it is starting to happen.
It is impossible to put the proverbial Genie back into the bottle. As leaders, trainers, and presenters, you need to realize that your participants are already using text, email, and Web 2.0 applications like Twitter to voice their opinions during your meeting or presentation! What Josh recommends in his blog post is making the comments visible real time during the presentation so everyone can see what others are saying.
We are close to Halloween so a good scare is in order! A presenter or leader’s worse nightmare is about to come true. You will soon know in real time, with certainty, that your presentation or meeting is a bust.
The solution is simple (I said simple, not necessarily easy ok?) You’ll have to consistently lead presentations, trainings, and meetings (both face-to-face and virtual) that are engaging, interactive, and highly productive. The bar is being raised and mediocre meetings will no longer be tolerated.
The tidal wave is coming and it is only 144 characters long. Are you prepared?
Please add your comments. Interested in learning about Twitter? Follow me on Twitter.com via @headset.
Posted by Byron Van Arsdale
Author – 6 Principles of Powerful Conference Calls
ConferenceCallTraining.com
