Working together virtually
From online workshops to webinars and training programmes
To successfully work interactively with people online takes a lot of creativity, good design skills, and thoughtful planning and execution. Beyond the tools, we also care about keeping it human, with sensitivity to your group’s composition, dynamics, experience working virtually, and the emotions associated with interaction online.
We take pleasure in helping our clients to stretch their ambition when it comes to using online environments. You can achieve things you might not have imagined possible, with high interactivity, engagement and enjoyment.
Our virtual experience
Below are some examples of our experience working in virtual environments, from 2009 until today.
Training and coaching for effectiveness in online environments
We train and coach hosts, moderators, facilitators and trainers.
Training moderators and staff ahead of a major international virtual conference
Online training of moderators and team members for a six-session virtual conference hosted by a major UN agency and an inter-governmental economic organization. This project also included design inputs and individual moderator coaching prior to the 300+ person online event, which was hosted on Zoom. (2020)
Online training of facilitators of virtual Communities of Practice (VCoPs)
Developing skills and experience for the convening of impactful virtual Communities of Practice (VCoPs). Using webinars in Webex and a highly experiential, action-learning approach over several months to build the skills of UN agency staff. (2017-2018)
Open subscription courses to facilitate collaboration and create change online
Running online open-subscription training courses in the design and facilitation of online events as part of the Bright Green Learning Academy, building the skills of programme and project managers, social entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to facilitate collaboration and create change (2016 to present). Delivered using a blend of Zoom, Skype and a variety of other online tools for comparative experiential purposes.
Building capacity for leaders in virtual governance meetings
Providing interactive training in good practice for online meetings and ‘how to’ guidance using Skype for Business as part of an induction programme for new governing board members in a large international membership organization. The goal was to build their confidence and capacity to participate in virtual governance meetings and working groups. (2016)
Upskilling staff to run effective webinars and use online tools
Building the online facilitation skills of staff supporting a global network of humanitarian-focused NGOs in the design and running of highly effective webinars and the valuable use of online tools in virtual and face-to-face meetings. Run via Skype and a variety of other freely available online tools. (2016)
In-house continous training in facilitation skills to ensure productive meetings
Strengthening the facilitation skills of staff in an independent, globally renowned international organization that convenes leaders of society. The goal was to ensure productive face-to-face and virtual meetings (using Adobe Connect). Long-term training process over 5 years. (2010-2014)
Design and facilitation of virtual workshops, meetings, conferences and training
These projects often involve technical (behind the scenes) and participant-facing (MC/host) facilitation. This includes converting existing face-to-face designs into successful virtual events.
Blended workshop for strategy validation for a sustainability NGO
Design and facilitation of a blended F2F and virtual workshop aimed at validating a strategy and next steps for an 18-month co-creation and agenda-setting project for an international sustainability NGO. Run via Zoom. (2020)
Strategic planning for a distributed team in a public health organization
Design and facilitation for strategic planning and a major resource mobilization initiative for a distributed bi-continental team from a public health and development organization, using Go-To-Meeting and Microsoft Teams. (2020)
Virtual consultation for an environmental assessment initiative
Design and facilitation of a six-session virtual consultation with the steering committee of a global environmental assessment initiative, aimed at providing substantive input into a 1-year process. Delivered using Go-to-Meeting and Google docs. (2020)
Large-scale international online Community Exchange
Design and facilitation of a large-scale international online Community Exchange which convened national focal points, partners and team members of a global biodiversity network. The exchange provided a platform for peer learning and to share good practice among countries and generate new collaboration initiatives. Hosted on Zoom. (2020)
Two-day review workshop following a public consultation
Design and virtual facilitation of a two-day workshop to review the inputs from public consultation and prepare a final version of an industry guidance document to minimize impacts on biodiversity. This was hosted on Zoom. (2020)
Virtual meetings for work planning, with simultaneous interpretation
Design and technical facilitation support for three virtual meetings with simultaneous interpretation online. The goals including bringing together a biodiversity task force, with company engagement, to make progress on their 2020 workplan. (2020)
Strategy development and international consultation for a new regional project
Design and facilitation of a 2-part process to develop a new regional project. This included team strategy development and an international consultation on the programme initiative with 75+ participants. This was held in Zoom. (2020)
Collaborative creation of a global strategic plan for a humanitarian organization
Design and virtual facilitation of a strategic planning process with senior managers from an international humanitarian organization. Held over four days, to discuss and collectively write online a global strategic plan. This was held in Zoom. (2020)
Online curated curriculum on Industry 4.0 for a Public Private Development Partnership (PPDP)
Development of an online curated curriculum for introductory learning about Industry 4.0. (2019)
Virtual learning materials for skills development
Virtual learning materials development, including explainer videos, virtual learning nuggets and online micro-learning activities. Dissemination through a bespoke platform, LKDF. (2016-2019)
Pedagogical design for corporate biodiversity training at a cement company
‘Ghost-designing’ the pedagogical approach for an online training programme to ensure the effective incorporation of biodiversity in the management practices of a cement company. We used a train-the-trainer model to implement a corporate biodiversity directive. (2013)
Development and delivery support for online sustainability training at a textiles multinational
We provided curriculum development and delivery support for an online training programme for the global supply chain social and environmental responsibility team of a multinational business in the textiles industry. This was a 20-week course, with 40+ hours of training time including ten 1-hour webinars.
This online course on Environmental Sustainability built critical knowledge in team members to contribute effectively to a transformation in the way the company did business. (2009)
Inspiration & guidance
We’ve put together a selection of posts from the Bright Green Learning blog that capture our learning about working online.
We have been writing about this topic for over a decade now. For example, already in 2011 we were blogging about how to run Carousel Discussions and World Cafés online.
Running an Open Space Technology (inspired) Session Online Using Zoom Breakouts for a Large-Scale Community Learning and Good Practice Exchange
If you can't run your Open Space session in real…
20 Creative Ideas for Online Gatherings Using Zoom (or similar)
Article by Lizzie Crudgington, Bright Green Learning
When…
When…
Здравствуйте / Hello Bi-Lingual Zoom Meetings? It’s Possible! Tips for Working Effectively with Simultaneous Interpretation in Zoom
(Note: This blog post is long and detailed, and really only…
The Many Splendid Shapes and Sizes of Virtual Workshops
There has been a raft of flipped workshops recently where…
F2F or Virtual? Not Always So Different – Workshops are a Means to an End
There is an excited flurry of activity right now among meeting,…
No Flipcharts at No-Fly Workshops – Using Google Docs and Google Sheets to Capture Virtual Group Work Effectively
(Note from Gillian: This is a very long, detailed, and rather…
No-Fly Workshops: Tips for Grounded Facilitators
No-Fly Workshops are becoming increasingly popular as people…
Online Educa: Follow Us There!
We're going to Online Educa, 17th International Conference on…
Online Facilitation – Adapting to a Virtual Environment with Free(mium) Tools – Part One
We've written a number of posts about both facilitation and the…
Online Facilitation – Adapting to a Virtual Environment with Free(mium) Tools – Part Two
Following part one of this blog post (which shares some examples…
The Connected Facilitator: What’s in the Online Toolbox?
Full disclosure: I ran a workshop at the International…
Knowledge at a Distance: Skype Video – It Works!
We were very sad a few weeks ago when Joan Davis, one of our…
Where Learning Practitioners Go to Learn: Online Educa
One of the most useful conferences I go to each year is Online…
Look Behind You! The Webinar Facilitator’s Non-Technical Checklist
I am currently in the middle of an online sustainability learning…
The Two-Day Total Twitter Immersion: Using Twitter for Social Learning
Many people do not see the point of Twitter. I know this because…
Ahead of the Curve: This Year’s Learning Trends at Online Educa
I just spent the last two days at Online Educa, one of the largest…
Create a Facilitator Role for Your Conference Calls and Webinars
Last week I was asked to facilitate a conference call. Sound…
Are We Sinking or Thinking? Learning at the Workplace Re-Invented Online
Well, it turns out that many institutions have figured this one…
Blogging as Reflective Practice?
Many people say that they do not have time for reflection in…
