The Covid-19 pandemic forced engagement professionals to move their work entirely into the online space.
As we think about a future where we can hold face-to-face workshops again, it will be fascinating to see what we carry forward from this online experience into our engagement programs.
Getting the best out of both online and face-to-face engagement was the focus of MosaicLab’s most recent Continuous Connections (CC) conversation held on September 25. For the first time we hosted this conversation with a colleague and friend, Scott Newton from Gauge Consulting in NSW.
CC participants received a handout with 10 key benefits for online and face-to-face engagement and discussed options for what this means going for future activities. If you missed out, we can’t give you the full package but we would like to give you a taste of the conversation.
The main messages shared were:
The deep dive into digital delivery has revealed the unique opportunities online tools provide, as well as highlighting – by contrast – those elements that make in-person engagement so special.
As we look to the future of engagement, it is important we do not ‘pick a side’ or shut ourselves off to the possibilities of one mode or another. By understanding the strengths of both online and in-person engagement and employing both, where appropriate, we can better reach and enable stakeholder and community input into decisions that affect them.
Key benefits of face to face engagement
More opportunity to build relationships
Be flexible in the moment to respond to group needs
The ability to use movement such as standing discussions and sociometry.
Key benefits of online engagement
The ease of reaching more people
The comfort of being in one’s own home
The lack of distraction that allow people to hold more in-depth conversations in their break out rooms.
Click here to find out more information about our Continuous Connections sessions. You can also register for the next session.
We are also running new training sessions for facilitating in the virtual world in October and November 2020, covering both skills in using zoom and core group facilitation skills. Click here to find out more and to register.
ENJOYED THIS POST?
Stay in the know! Get new posts, actionable ideas and fabulous free resources delivered to your inbox - subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter 'the Discussion'.