The Secret To Creating High-Value Teleconferences Without Hours of Prep . . . It’s All In The Approach, Participation And Format

The First KeynThe first key to approaching your teleconferences so they don’t requires hours of work: a clear intention to serve your participants (clients-in-waiting), and to not do their part, too. Make a commitment to yourself that you will show up as a coach and facilitator, which you will share all you have of value and that you will expect your participants to participate! nnnSecondary Keysn*Give yourself permission to end early if they don’t choose to participate. n*Ask lots of questions to encourage them to participate. n*Give them plenty of silence after you ask them to participate. (Practice waiting waaaaaay longer than you feel comfortable before jumping in. They will respond!) n nWhether you have 3 or 30 or 300 people on your teleconference, you only need a few to participate to make it wildly successful.nnnEncouraging ParticipationnKeep service to your clients-in-waiting foremost in your mind. And, ask them repeatedly what they need to best be served. n n“What questions, clarifications or concerns do you have about this material?”n“What else do you need so that you can start using this tomorrow?”n“Who would like to role-play this with me to help you integrate it?”n“Would you like to commit to using this new idea this week?”n“Who wants to play?” Remember, you are not there to entertain. You are there to share, coach, facilitate about their important challenges. Just like when you coach someone one-on-one, it’s not going to give anyone much value if you give a monologue. And, it will exhaust you and burn you out in no time . . .nnnTeleclass Formats which Require Almost No Prep TimenOnce you feel clear about your approach, your intention and their participation, then consider using different formats which require 0 to 15 minutes of prep time:nn*Create a title about which you have experience and knowledge. List your three key points around that topic. Present those three points and your experience with them in your teleconference.nn*Put a question or topic out to your participants and facilitate a discussion around that question or topic.nn*Introduce a book relevant to your participants. Cover key points of the book. (With the book right in front of you as an outline.) Ask participants who have read the book for their insights and take-aways.nn*Invite a guest expert of interest to your participants to be interviewed on your teleconference.nn*Offer a topic you know has huge relevance to your participants and ask them about their specific issues and concerns. Role-play with or coach a willing participant around that topic.nn*Trust that you will show up fully in the moment, just like you do when coaching a client one-on-one. Have fun serving and allow your clients-in-waiting to have fun learning and participating!n nCopyright 2007 Ann Strong. All rights reserved.n