Virtual sales kickoffs are an easy and cost-effective way to review goals, future marketing and sales plans, and provide information and training at scale.
They also offer loads of interesting digital tools for audience engagement, performance analytics, and data collection. The possibility to prerecord keynotes, repurpose content after the event, and deliver a hyper-personalized experience to participants also greatly benefit both the hosts and the participants.
For the attendee, virtual events are a very convenient way to connect with peers and learn more about a shared topic of interest. They can join the event from the comfort of their home or anywhere in the world with a decent internet connection.
There are a ton of benefits to virtual events–whether it’s completely virtual or just has a virtual component to it. Here are some of them:
As you enter the planning phase, envision your ideal event with these questions in mind:
You may be tempted to livestream your content to a virtual audience or send them a replay, but successful virtual and hybrid experiences require the same forethought as in-person events to be truly engaging. Here are some things to consider:
Think about your event assets (agenda, session content, and visual elements). Choose a virtual event management solution that will support these foundational planning activities by making it easy to design, create, and customize event details.
Before you dive into planning a virtual sales kickoff, get clarity on your goals for the year, so you can incorporate the right messaging into your event. In this selling environment, leaders can no longer measure sales reps based on traditional KPIs, like the number of face-to-face meetings or in-person demos they give.
After you reflect on the previous year (what went well and what didn’t), share your strategy and intentions for the year ahead.
Putting in the work on this ahead of time will ensure everyone on the same page.
Consider polling your organization to see what subjects are top of mind. Are they interested in learning Soft Skills, such as empathy? Do they need a better understanding of sales cadences? Consider conducting discovery sessions with your account executives and product marketing to identify challenges and needs facing your salespeople. That’s one way to ensure that your kickoffs address pain points and foster meaningful growth.
The ideal virtual kickoff agenda should:
Sales kickoffs often focus on metrics and selling strategies, but now more than ever, teams need to hone soft skills like communicating with empathy. This is essential to connecting with prospects in uncertain times.
Managers also need to learn how to use one-on-one meetings to really take a pulse on how someone is doing and not just look at metrics. Make sure your kickoff agenda includes some of these soft skills, as they are crucial to your teams’ success and longevity moving forward.
For a virtual sales kickoff event, creating compelling content is key to keeping the audience engaged and ensuring the event is memorable. Keep in mind to always include the customer and foster interaction and engagement.
Here are some ideas:
Incorporating a mix of these elements will create a dynamic and engaging virtual kickoff event that resonates with your audience.
Enhancing reinforcement learning in your virtual kickoff event can make it more engaging and memorable for participants. Here are some strategies to consider:
1. Interactive Quizzes and Polls
Why? Quizzes and polls keep participants engaged by requiring them to actively participate. Reinforcing learning through instant feedback helps solidify concepts.
How? Use Xyvid PRO to create quizzes that recap key points discussed during the event. Offer rewards or recognition for top performers to encourage participation.
2. Breakout Sessions with Group Activities
Why? Smaller group discussions allow participants to digest and discuss information in a more intimate setting, reinforcing what they've learned.
How? Plan breakout sessions where teams solve problems or discuss case studies related to the event’s theme. Rotate groups to keep the discussions dynamic.
3. Gamification
Why? Gamification turns learning into a fun and competitive experience, which can improve retention.
How? Incorporate elements like leaderboards that participants can earn throughout the event. This could be tied to completing specific tasks, answering questions, or contributing to discussions.
4. Real-Time Collaboration Tools
Why? Collaborative tools encourage participants to apply what they’ve learned immediately, reinforcing their understanding.
How? Use tools like Miro or Google Jamboard for collaborative exercises. For example, you could have participants brainstorm ideas or map out a plan in real-time.
5. Storytelling and Real-Life Examples
Why? Stories and examples make abstract concepts relatable and easier to remember.
How? Invite speakers to share real-life experiences that illustrate the principles you’re trying to teach. Encourage participants to share their stories or challenges as well.
6. Follow-Up Activities
Why? Reinforcement is stronger when learning is spread out over time, rather than being a one-time event.
How? After the event, provide participants with follow-up materials like short videos, articles, or exercises that revisit key points. You can also schedule follow-up webinars or discussions.
7. Peer Learning and Mentorship
Why? Learning from peers can be highly effective as it encourages collaboration and the sharing of different perspectives.
How? Create a mentorship program where experienced participants can guide newer members through the learning process or organize peer review sessions where participants can give each other feedback.
8. Use of Visual Aids and Memory Cues
Why? Visual aids and mnemonic devices help in retaining information.
How? Use slides, infographics, or videos to reinforce key points. Consider using acronyms or other mnemonic devices to help participants remember important concepts.
9. Encourage Questions and Reflection
Why? Asking questions and reflecting on what has been learned are crucial parts of the reinforcement process.
How? Build in time for Q&A sessions and encourage participants to share their thoughts and reflections. You could also use tools like Padlet or a forum where participants can post questions or insights throughout the event.
10. Simulations and Role-Playing
Why? Experiential learning, like simulations and role-playing, helps participants apply knowledge in a practical context.
How? Set up scenarios where participants have to role-play or work through simulations that mirror real-world challenges they might face.
By integrating these strategies, you can create a more dynamic and impactful virtual kickoff event that reinforces learning and ensures participants walk away with a deeper understanding of the topics covered.
Virtual icebreakers are activities or games designed to help participants get comfortable, build rapport, and engage with one another in a virtual setting. They are especially useful in online events where attendees might feel disconnected or awkward due to the lack of physical presence. Here’s how you can use virtual icebreakers to help your business:
Benefits of Using Virtual Icebreakers:
When working with external speakers, discuss their presentation’s focus and format early on in the planning process before they develop their content.
Out of respect for speakers’ time and to avoid any tech snafus during your virtual kickoff, conduct a tech dry run before you do a speaker dry run.
After a virtual event kickoff, reinforcement and feedback are crucial for ensuring the momentum continues and participants remain engaged. Here are some best practices to consider:
1. Immediate Follow-Up Communication
Thank-You Email: Send a thank-you email to all participants, summarizing key takeaways and providing access to the event recording and materials.
Highlight Key Points: Reinforce the key messages and objectives discussed during the event.
2. Provide Event Resources
Access to Recordings and Presentations: Ensure that participants have easy access to the event recording, slide decks, and any additional resources.
Create a Resource Hub: If applicable, create a dedicated webpage or repository where all event-related materials can be accessed.
3. Engage with a Post-Event Survey
Feedback Form: Send out a survey to collect feedback on the event. Focus on what worked well, areas for improvement, and additional topics of interest.
Anonymous Feedback Option: Consider allowing anonymous responses to encourage honest feedback.
4. Reinforce Learning and Key Messages
Follow-Up Webinars or Workshops: Organize additional sessions to dive deeper into specific topics or address any questions that arose during the kickoff.
Knowledge Checks: Implement quizzes or knowledge checks to reinforce key concepts discussed during the event.
5. Encourage Networking and Collaboration
Create Online Discussion Forums: Encourage continued discussion on topics from the event through forums or collaboration platforms like Slack, Teams, or LinkedIn groups.
Networking Opportunities: Facilitate smaller group discussions or virtual meetups for participants to connect and share insights.
6. Provide Actionable Next Steps
Clear Action Items: Clearly outline the next steps for participants, including any tasks or goals that need to be achieved post-event.
Timeline for Follow-Up: Establish a timeline for when follow-up actions will take place, keeping participants informed of what to expect.
7. Track Progress and Engagement
Monitor Engagement: Track participant engagement with follow-up resources and activities. Use this data to identify trends or areas needing further attention.
Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular check-ins with key participants or stakeholders to assess progress and address any challenges.
8. Recognize and Reward Participation
Acknowledgment of Contributions: Publicly recognize participants who contributed significantly to the event or follow-up activities.
Incentives: Consider offering incentives for completing surveys, participating in follow-up sessions, or achieving post-event goals.
9. Continuous Improvement
Review Feedback: Analyze the feedback collected and identify areas for improvement in future events.
Implement Changes: Use the insights gained to refine future events, ensuring that each iteration is more effective than the last.
10. Share Success Stories
Case Studies or Testimonials: Share success stories or testimonials from participants who have benefited from the event’s content.
Publicize Results: If the event had specific goals or metrics, share the results with participants to highlight the impact of their participation.
By following these best practices, you can ensure that the momentum generated by the virtual sales kickoff meeting is sustained and that participants remain engaged and productive in the weeks and months following the event.
