Tag Archive

android apps Blogging Brand Management Digital Immigrants Education Facebook Facebook Business Page Facebook for business Facebook PAGES FAN PAGES Farmville Foursquare Future Geolocation Gina Schreck Google Gowalla Innovation iPad iphone Learning LinkedIn Mobile Technology Second Life Second Life Events Skype social business Social Learning Social Marketing Social Media Social Media for Business Social Media Management Social Media Marketing Social Networking Technology Technology Speaker Trends Twitter Twitter for Business Twitter Hashtags unplugged Virtual Worlds Virtual Worlds Speaker YouTube

Posts Tagged: Virtual Worlds Speaker

Virtual Events for Business: What are they and how are they different?

When you hear the words “Virtual Events” or “Immersive Environments,” what comes to mind? Geordi from Star Trek? Perhaps a giant question mark since they sound so foreign?

Gina Schreck, Social Media for Business, Virtual events, technology speaker

I'm Attending a Virtual Event

Many of us participate in virtual events regularly via webinars and streaming video events, and if you want to get technical, even a conference call is a virtual event. Now what comes to mind are probably visions of sleepy office scenes with participants multi-tasking while a speaker drones on and on in a monotone voice (no, I wasn’t on that call with you yesterday!).

Virtual events have become a necessity in business today, for meetings, learning and more. There are different virtual platforms for different uses and we tend to get stuck with one or two because it’s easier than learning how to use new technology. I have used many webinar platforms such as GoToWebinar, WebEx, AdobeConnect and ReadyTalk. While webinars do allow for participant chat, the platform is typically flat (few if any can run video clips without the possibility of hiccups) and we have all learned how to multitask during the webinar, only tuning in if we are called by name or asked to complete a poll or other activity. I have found the platforms that allow for participants to use annotation tools and actually write or use draw tools on the slides can be more fun and engaging. When I tell participants to “draw on the tech tool you use most” they go crazy, marking all over the slide. It is fun to watch! People will try to write with the freehand draw tool instead of chatting, which is GREAT because they are actually engaged.

I’ve also been involved using hybrid virtual event systems such as Unisfair, On24, and InXpo, where they combine video streaming with slides, audience chat, a few social engagement pieces, and some cool 3D conference entry points where you can see the different breakout sessions being offered.

Gina Schreck, virtual events, technology speaker, social media for business

Virtual Hybrids

These are extremely engaging for larger conference events where you have keynote speakers and breakout sessions. Attendees can be both live and remote or you can host the event completely for remote attendees. They allow participants to pop into the sessions they want to attend and skip the sessions that are not relevant to them. These platforms are for one-to-many communication. The speakers deliver the content and the attendees can interact via chat.

The most engaging, in my not-so-humble opinion, is the 3D immersive environments. I say this for several reasons, one being the environments are so different from anything you have probably used, that your brain is trying to grasp what is going on. You are hearing each person speak with 3D sound, which means the people on your right are heard on your right (if you are wearing a headset or have good computer speakers), and the person on your left is coming through in your left ear. The person’s avatar who is standing further away sounds quieter than the avatars right next to you. The avatars are gesturing when they speak and their little cartoon lips are even moving. These avatars gather in conference rooms, open-air amphitheaters or possibly a build that resembles the inside of a computer as someone points out the changes that will take place in the new product roll out. Another reason 3D immersive is more engaging is the simple fact that there is so much going on visually. Participants are not just looking at slides on a computer screen (although sadly many people load up boring slide decks in virtual environments just as often as they do at face-to-face events). Participants are IN the environment. They are moving their avatars around and taking in all the amazing visual surroundings. All the other participants are avatars in the same shared environment and they are looking at the same documents, slides, or even white board.

Gina Schreck, Virtual Events, Social Media for Business, Technology speaker

Second Life for CREATIVE LEARNING

There are many different 3D immersive platforms and not every 3D environment is created equal. I have found Second Life, Teleplace and VirtualU to be some of the best for business and learning events (many will have other opinions and by no means is this list comprehensive so please chime in with more that we should check out in the comments). Without going into too much detail, here is why:

SECOND LIFE- Most people have at least heard of this platform, but many have only heard the strange social networking or personal gaming side of the platform. I love the flexibility of Second Life; the ability to change and create your environment to enhance your outcomes. Avatars are more realistic looking and can be customized until your heart’s content. This picture here shows an education conference that was built around a desert theme and the creativity was MIND-BLOWING!

Some of the downsides to Second Life are the intense graphic nature of the program (gaming computers are ideal, but most of today’s PCs have great graphics to run the program) and the fact that this “world” is most like our real world, in that anything that you can think of, you can probably find in Second Life somewhere. I tell people that virtual environments are event and destination driven. You log on and attend an event or go to a specific location and when you are finished you log off. If you start wandering around and looking to see what else is in this environment, you will find some strange places and people, just like you would in our real world. (Trust me, I’ve been lost in New York before!)

TELEPLACE- This is a great platform for people new to the 3D immersive idea. It is great for business meetings and is most like a webinar than any other that I have seen. You do have simple business avatars (or you can choose a lego-man body with your photo in the square head-see photo of green lego-man here) and you enter the business office or conference center.

TELEPLACE

The choices and customization of avatars is very limited and your environment is less flexible as well, which can be a good thing for some businesses, who are a little tech-skiddish. With Teleplace, you download a small program (much like GoToMeeting) and within 10 minutes you are ready for your meeting to begin. You can share video, websites, documents and slides, which makes it great for small group meetings and corporate training classes.

The downside to this tool is they are not set up for event pricing (one event this month, two next month and perhaps none the third month). They require annual licenses and it is a bit pricier than other platforms.

VIRTUALU- This is a promising platform that is a good blend of Second Life and Teleplace. A very simple download, easy on the graphics, but the customization is not as robust as Second Life. I do love that people can create a free account and come in for a class, meeting or to network and practice. You don’t pay until you want to have your own space designed.

Gina Schreck, virtual events, technology speaker, social media

VIRTUALU

Imagine logging into a webinar 30 minutes early to chat with folks and network before the event began. That is what will happen when you host an event in this great environment. There is even an art museum to get people mingling and meeting one another before beginning. This photo is from their expo hall where participants can chat with exhibitors.

The major downside (for me anyway) is it is not supported on Macintosh. I do have a PC on my desk but travel with my mac, so cannot log in from the road. (I know they are working on this)

I believe we will continue to see greater adoption of virtual events as travel becomes tougher and budgets become tighter, but also as technology becomes more and more engaging to use. Dive in, learn about these virtual options, but then attend one for yourself in each environment to see how you could use them.

We host regular webinars and meet weekly in our Second Life campus for business discussions, classes and professional networking. You can join us for FREE on Thursday nights 6pm (PT)/9pm (ET) by clicking on this link to begin setting up your account-it will place you in our campus when you are finished with the set up. http://bit.ly/6aINpd

Gina Schreck

Gina Schreck

Let me know how we can help you and your organization use today’s technology to build your business or manage your brand. Contact me on Twitter @GinaSchreck or email me Gina@Synapse3Di.com

September 7, 2010 | Filed Under Education, Future, Second Life, Second Life Events, Social Learning, Technology, Virtual Worlds | 1 Comment

Speakers and Trainers are a CHALLENGE to Event Planners

I am attending a great conference today, The Virtual Edge, which is going on physically in Santa Clara, California and also being webcast and brought into several virtual platforms so that people can attend from all over the globe.

A planner from Disney was on a panel and he said that one of the challenges to pulling off successful virtual events is “Getting presenters or trainers up to speed with the technology. Most are not there.” This really hit me and made me sad to think that professional speakers and trainers are seen as a CHALLENGE to pulling off successful events using the latest in technology.

Experts are Chasing the Bus

As professional content deliverers, we need to be leading the way, not chasing the bus! Whether it is webinars, teleseminars, live video-streaming, or virtual world events, it is time to get out front and lead the way. Quit being one of the challenges.

If you need someone to walk you through any of this give me a Tweet- a Facebook shout out or even an old fashioned email or phone call! We hold regular MeetUps in our virtual world campus where you can practice as you learn to grow your biz–ask me for information on My VSTA (virtual speaker’s and trainer’s association)

February 22, 2010 | Filed Under Second Life, Second Life Events, Social Learning, Virtual Worlds, Webinars | Leave a Comment

Second Life Biz & Education Meet Ups-Schedule of Events for February

Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch!

Here is a schedule of events coming up in the next few weeks! I hope to see you at one of them! To join in, simply click on this LINK. If you already have a Second Life account you will be asked if you’d like to “teleport” to the location. If you do not yet have an account set up (it takes approximately 10 min) Click the same LINK and you will be guided through the process of selecting your “starter” avatar and creating the account, after which you will be placed in the meeting location (our campus). No need to start at Linden Labs main orientation- simply come a few minutes early and we will get you ready to FLY!

IMPORTANT: We use voice at all of our meetings, which means we all have headsets on that allow you to use Voice Over Internet (VOIP–like Skype). A simple USB plug in headset is all you need. If you already have a headset, just plug it in BEFORE you start to log in. If you do not have a headset..no worries, you will be able to hear us talking and you can participate using chat. If you have any quesitons, please don’t hesitate to send me a Tweet or contact me via email Gina (at) Synapse3Di.com

January 27, 2010 | Filed Under Second Life, Second Life Events, Social Learning | Leave a Comment

How will Technology Affect Your Biz this Decade?

When the video store down the street closed I was actually celebrating. My $18 late fees were erased forever. Our family was banned from most video stores years ago. Thanks to Netflix and on-demand video viewing, people just couldn’t see the value in stopping in and reading the backs of empty boxes only to find the good movies were all taken and the second choice videos came home and got lost in the couch cushions for 8 months.

Last month a large yellow dinosaur was dropped on my front porch which made me stand in wonder. Who is still using the yellow pages? Do we need them delivered for that occasional short guest that comes for dinner and needs a booster seat? Do we still feel that they make an attractive door stop? Who is not Googling everything? I hope those who work for the phone book companies have updated their resumes. What about the people who design resumes for those job seekers? Many of the resume companies didn’t anticipate LinkedIn lasting very long. Did the employees that made Poloroid cameras and film not see that picture of themselves in the unemployment office in their future? The digital readers, like Kindle and the Nook, are here to change the publishing and library industries forever. Some already wake to download their custom KINDLE PRESS News Paper instead of going out into the snow to fetch that old tattered newspaper.

Technology…progress… it does change things, but how can we be ready? How do we learn to read the trends and prepare for our future? I have been in the learning and professional speaking business for over 15 years (which is a strange business in itself) but that is another industry being rocked by change and technology. In the past, most companies flew employees in from all over the country or the world to attend large (and expensive) conferences or learning events. The speakers or trainers would fly in and hopefully wax eloquently, and deliver pearls of wisdom that would change lives forever (or inspire folks for a few hours at least) before flying home. Now I know I will get slammed with letters from speakers and trainers–so of course I am NOT talking about YOU! It’s those OTHER speakers and trainers that I reference.

Companies today are still bringing folks together for learning events or sales events, but not as often. Is it technology that has changed this? NO. The global nature of business and the watchful eyes on those corporate budgets have changed how often and how extravagant these events are, BUT technology has come along providing some new tools to deliver learning nuggets, inspiration and even team building events.

From webinars and company pod and vodcasts, to virtual team building events like mountain expeditions and team competitions all within a virtual environment. Times they are a changing. Here are a few steps to get you moving in the right direction:

1. Let your mind imagine the future. What does your industry look like in your mind 10 or 20 years from now (Okay with lots of facial creams and futuristic vitamins you will still be there in the picture!) ?

2. What skills might be needed to be successful in the future? Even if you are not using them today.

3. Where can you begin to learn these skills? Can you take a community college class or perhaps one offered through your local rec center?

Regardless of your age or industry, take steps to make sure the KINDLE PRESS posts a blog entry about you celebrating your 100-years in business! You’d better start those vitamins now.