If you ask the average entrepreneur what lessons or skills they have learned and developed over the past year, one answer comes up again: ZOOM (a.k.a. flexibility.) There is no flexibility in the modern business world without a digital presence.
The Shift to Digital
COVID-19 and the resulting changes to the day-to-day operations of millions of people worldwide have accelerated this shift toward digital infrastructure and technological competency. At ICSB, we believe that this transition to a more global and digitally connected environment provides opportunities for all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and sustainable entrepreneurs to increase their knowledge and to network through a collection of digital conferences.
While in-person meetings remain the ideal for a robust exchange of information and perspectives, we must be ready to adapt to a changing world. Digital conferences offer unique benefits, including:
* Location neutrality: It becomes easier for distant parties to attend events.
* Accessibility: This approach centers on disabled actors and other parties that require a different set of accommodations.
* Sustainability: The environmental impact is a fraction of the average ecological costs of long-distance travel.
Maximizing Event Effectiveness
As Lawton (2020) writes, some of the key considerations for hosting effective digital events include:
- Time Zones: Timetabling of speakers should be optimized to account for different time zones.
- Training: Presenters should be taught how to use software, including optimizing their environment, lighting, and positioning.
- Engagement: Audience participation via questions and polls is essential to keep the audience engaged.
- Tech Support: A dedicated team should be assigned to troubleshoot and make contingency plans for technological failures.
- Recording Strategy: Decide how recorded content will be made available and whether this will be restricted to registered participants.
We believe a foundation emphasizing preparedness, audience engagement, and technological competency is a definite beginning as we evolve our practices. Incorporating these strategies will create a special and unique experience that does not merely look to replicate the features of a traditional, in-person event.