Thanks to those who have joined me for the complimentary Virtual Community Calls. Missed them? Click here to catch up.

Welcome to the May 2020 EVC newsletter!



Welcome back to the April 2020 Effective Virtual Conversations (EVC) newsletter.What have you noticed about how your virtual conversations have changed in the last few months? By now, many are much more confident in using virtual tools, but they may not be as open to "yet another" Zoom call. This month's article is about 4 ways to signal how this is not going to be "just another Zoom call". You'll also find links to two of my digital ebooks geared for Virtual and Remote Teams - the

While last month's focus was all about getting up to speed quickly and leaning into the habits of exceptional virtual facilitators, this month I wanted to take us into making your own calls Memorable. 

Over at the Remote Pathways podcast the most recent episodes have focused on:
Conflict in the Remote Space - Listen in here
Building Trust and Connection in the Remote Space - Episode 13 -
Listen in here.

This Wednesday I will be offering another one day offering of the Virtual Facilitation Essentials program. From 9 - 430 pm ET you'll be building out your virtual toolkit and tools. We'll go through what makes virtual conversations MEMORABLE and IMPACTFUL. Participants lead short practice sessions and get feedback on their skills, as well. The next five week Monday afternoon session running from June 8 - July 6th.

As part of my way of sharing, I've started a daily author reading from Effective Virtual Conversations. You'll find these short 5-7 minute readings over at the site - starting with Day 1 and page 1. We've now covered chapter 1 (Context), Chapter 2 (Foundations), Chapter 3 (Core Skills), Chapter 4 (The Virtual Ecosystem).  Enjoy and please share with others, especially those who might not be able to get a copy of the book themselves. Kindle copies are available of Effective Virtual Conversations, and you can pick up copies of this and PlanDoTrack at Amazon.

I hope that you will find these materials useful, and turn to us to help you make the transition to exceptional virtual conversations, whether it is for you or your organization.

If you haven't checked out recent calls, do check out the following videos:

Mantras of Virtual Work Learning and Leadership
Mantras of Virtual Work Learning and Leadership
Remote Pathways Podcast Community Call 5 21 20 Trust and Connection in the Remote Space
Remote Pathways Podcast Community Call 5 21 20 Trust and Connection in the Remote Space

Remote Work and Teamwork Myths - Community Call April 20 2020
Remote Work and Teamwork Myths - Community Call April 20 2020


For those that work virtually, the latest episode (#12) of the Remote Pathways Podcast is now live. We explore Conflict in the Remote Space. Listen to episode 12 here.


I hope that you will continue to find my monthly newsletter a useful resource to refer to. Drop me an email and let me know what your biggest question is around visual design for virtual calls and I'll highlight the response in a future newsletter! Hit send now and let me know what your question is.


For those that are more focused on remote, visit the new RemotePathways Instagram feed.
If you are on Facebook, connect with our growing community @ RemotePathways Facebok.

In this month's newsletter you'll find:
  • This month's article  on 4 ways to signal this is not another zoom call
  • Links to the EVC community calls and recordings
  • Link to a video highlighting what we cover in the Virtual Facilitation Essentials program - View it here.
 
Resources To Support You In Your Work

Check out the Daily Effective Virtual Conversations Reading at the EVC blog. They are released every week day and run for 5-7 minutes. Listen here.

Recent blog post: Teams365 #2332 - Collaboration in the Remote Space. Read it here.

Recent blog post - Teams365 2304 - Remote Enablers in Focus. Read it here.
 
   
6 Things New Remote Workers Need -  
Doing your best work, when working remote -  View it here (30 min) 
 

The Effective Virtual Conversations Playlist of some of the past calls including the 5 Virtual Team Builders - View it here on YouTube.  
 
Don't forget to download the templates that accompany the book - If you have your own copy of Effective Virtual Con versations you'll find the code on page x (yes that's x) of the book!


Save the Dates! 
 
Join us - Community Calls are now being held twice a month, next ones coming up Monday June 1 at 1030 am ET (note new time!): Preparing for Summer Projects 
Monday June 15 at 1030 am ET: Mid-year Stock Taking 

Both calls from 1030 - 11 am ET in my zoom room (270-302-0415). These are complimentary and DO NOT require a sign up.
 
Also earmark Thursday June 4th at 7am  for the next Remote Pathways Community Call. We'll be joined by Enneagram specialist and podcaster Theresa McCloy. Bring your favorite breakfast beverage and join us to discuss conflict in the remote space. Also held in zoom room 270-302-0415
 
Build Your Toolkit of Virtual Approaches with  
 
In terms of paid programming, join us (registration links below) 
 
Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum -10 CCEs (including 9.25 hours of core competencies): Special 5 week session - FRidays 12 - 130 pm Eastern: Friday May 29, June 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2020. Take a deeper dive around the best practices, habits and processes of group and team coaching. Also get a chance to lead a 30 minute call, with feedback opportunities on your skills.  Cost: $525 US. CCE with ICF 2 spots open. Learn more and Register.
 
  Virtual Facilitation Essentials (8.5 CCEs)

One Day Wednesday Session - Wednesday May 27 (9 -430 pm ET) 
OR 5 weeks - Mondays 130 - 245 pm Eastern): June 8, 15, 22, 29 and July 6 - Want to boost your toolkit for leading and designing live virtual calls? Join us for the Virtual Facilitation Essentials where over the course of 5 weeks (or 1 day) you will get exposure to, and practice with, many different approaches to virtual call engagement. It's a program that will support you in building your skills and building out your programming whether it is virtual group coaching, a webinar, a virtual retreat or virtual team building program. Cost: $475 US. 3 spots May 27th, 4 spots June 8th program  Click and reserve your spot. You can also use the links below to register.


M entor Coaching Group - Summer 2020 (10 Hours for ACC/PCC): Fridays 9 -10 am Eastern: June 5 to September 4th or 11th. If this is your year to renew your ACC, please consider joining us! One installment and three monthly installment payment options $1100 US. Click here to grab one of the remaining spots
 

 

Article:  4 ways to signal this just isn't "any Zoom call"
With many in the virutal space becoming "zoom fatigued" and burnt out from virtual calls, it's never been more important for you to distinguish yourself as a masterful virtual faciltiator, one who is cultivating dialogue, connection and providing the best experience for all involved.

With cynicism becoming more common place as some step into meetings, this month's call covers four things you can do quickly to signal that this just isn't "any zoom call" :

#1 - Talk about what people can expect in terms of process and interaction
At the heart of setting the stage for a "different call" is creating clear expectations. Let people know what they can expect and how your call is going to be different. If it's going to be interactive, co-design agreements. Let people know what they can expect and how they may be able to pass if they don't have anything to add.

#2 - Connect people right away with their WIIFM - Connecting people early on with "What's in it for me?" boosts engagement and connectivity. If we don't see a connection with a topic, it's more likely that we will be unfocused or disengaged. Easy ways to connect people are to ask - What's your connection with this topic? or Who here ____ (fill in the blank)?

#3 - Make the start of the call different - Switch up the start. Consider incorporating Video? Story? Breakout?

#4 - Make it visually rich. Icons are a favorite go-to for me, as is converting shorter blog posts into video. I often use Lumen5 to quickly convert content over. What content do you have that can get repurposed quickly?

#5 - Think about the right tool, for the right platform. What's the right tool for the right platform?



For more on this topic, check out this 30 minute call on 6 Activities for Virtual Events. You can view it here.


FILL your DIGITAL toolkit with these DIGITAL LICENSES:

What are the different doorways you could enter with this work?
From innovation, to change to teamwork and goals - virtual conversations take us many places.
Looking for a resource to move your thinking forward? A reminder that you can find facilitated instructions for leading conversations around 40 different topics such as innovation, change, teamwork, goals, habits  using VISUAL CARDS in the 40 Ways to Work with Visual Cards e-book.  It's just $40 US. Pick up a copy and download right away.

Looking for images to use? Consider picking up the Digital Bundle of the Conversation Sparker Cards - 75 images (including some bonus ones)  from the original Conversation Sparker Deck and 52 Question Cards from the Teams365 deck - $85 US. Digital Download.

You might also add the Digital Journaling Conversation Sparker Cards set on as well (Seen below) -$35 US. Grab your digital jpgs here. 



Upcoming programs to support you with your own virtual programming:
 
Reserve your spot in these upcoming programs:

Advanced Group and Team Coaching Practicum - 10 CCEs: Fridays 12 - 130 pm ET: May 29, June 5, 12, 19 and 25 2020. Looking to deepen your skills and confidence around group AND team coaching? Join us for the Advanced Practicum where you will lead a session with us and get feedback on your skills. Ideal for Essentials alumni who want to take a deeper dive into the practices of team and group coaching. $525 US

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Group Coaching Essentials - Looking to add group coaching to your mix? The Group Coaching Essentials program provides you with an overview of the best practices around deigning, marketing and implementing group coaching (for corporate and public groups, in person and virtual). Calls will be held on Fridays 1015 - 1150 am ET: June 5, 12, 19 and 26th (note this is a 4 week condensed session). $450 US
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Virtual Facilitation Essentials - Take your virtual calls to the next level by getting the foundations of best practices around design and marketing of virtual sessions of all kinds  (virtual sessions, webinars, online and video-based programs) . 8.5 CCEs with the ICF. The June session will be held on Mondays from 130 - 245 pm ET - June 8, 15, 22, 29 and July 6 OR Join us for a one day session on Wednesday May 27th (9 - 430 pm ET) Cost: $475 US. More info here or use this link to register.
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You can also attend in a one day format - Wednesday May 27 - 9 -430 pm Eastern/Toronto:
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Mentor Coaching Group (for ACC/PCC) - Fridays 9 - 10 am ET: June 5 - September 5 with group calls June 5, 12, 26, July 10, 17, 24, August 7,  September 4. Meets ICF requirements for ACC and PCC certification. 10 hours. Cost $1100 US - payable in one or three installments. Use this link to pay your first of 3 monthly installments of $367 US:
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Questions? Please email me or call me at (416)996-8326

If you know of others who might also benefit from this newsletter, please forward using the link below. Thank you!
 
Coaching Business Builder and Plan Do Track are now available as a PDF Digital Download so you can simply PRINT and USE. Be sure to pick up a copy at the Potentials Realized Store

PlanDoTrack for Virtual and Remote Professionals - PDF Edition - $29 US (283 pages)

Coaching Business Builder - PDF Edition - $29 US (281 pages)

Part workbook, part planner, these resources will provide you with tools and resources to learn more about yourself, AND PLAN for your work - whether you are a Coach (CBB) or a virtual and remote worker (PDT)


Best wishes,
Jennifer


Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | GroupCoachingEssentials.com | EffectiveVirtualConversations.com
Author of Effective Group Coaching, From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching and Effective Virtual Conversations 
Email: info@potentialsrealized.com
Facebook: EffectiveGroupCoaching  or Remote Pathways
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Potentials Realized * Contact us at 416.996.8326
Supporting Coaches, Virtual Facilitators and Team Leaders, One Conversation At a Time