When building your team, consider all of the skill sets needed before the event planning begins. You may have people who can cover more than one competency area. While you need someone skilled in every competency area in Table 1, this doesn’t necessarily have to be seven different people. Responsiveness, proactivity, organization, speaker management, attention to detail (Eventsforce, 2020 Frisch & Greene, 2020 Ramirez, 2020). Quantitative and qualitative data gathering techniques, creating an evaluation instrument, monitoring virtual conference activities, analyzing and interpreting evaluation data, communicating evaluation information to stakeholders (Harder, 2015 Seevers et al., 1997). Locating preexisting information, identifying needs, setting priorities and goals, identifying the target audience (Boone et al., 2002 Seevers et al., 1997).ĭeveloping content, selecting a virtual delivery method, identifying resources and materials, creating a timeline (Boone et al., 2002 Seevers et al., 1997). Understanding of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, platform knowledge and experience, social media monitoring experience, technical troubleshooting, audio, video, editing (Stofer, 2018 Ramirez, 2020). Verbal communication, written communication, concise and clear writing, developing aesthetically pleasing design (Leal et al., 2020). Instructional design, objective setting, measurement, teaching methods (Telg, 2018).
Each competency area describes skill sets needed to complete the virtual team profile (see Table 1). The virtual team profile consists of seven competency areas: (a) teaching instruction, (b) communication, (c) online technology, (d) program planning, (e) program design and implementation, (f) program evaluation, and (g) event management. A complete virtual team profile means that each member adds competency-value to the overall team, thereby making it complete. A competency is “a set of observable performance dimensions, including individual knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as collective team, process, and organizational capabilities, that are linked to high performance, and provide the organization with sustainable competitive advantage” (Athey & Orth, 1999, p. Leaders building a team should first identify the competencies needed for their team’s success (the team profile). Competencies Needed for the Virtual Team’s ProfileĪll teams, whether virtual or face to face, should understand what everyone brings to the table. Building a complete team means planning out all the team roles (Beckhard, 1972) and required skills (Biddle, 1986) needed to complete the task(s). Not only do the quarterback and umpire have specific roles in their respective sport, but they each bring specific competencies (skills) to help their games be successful. For instance, a football team can’t win a game without a quarterback, nor can a baseball game be played without an umpire. Building a complete team, based on the identified needs of the team, is essential to the event’s success. In order to reach the expected outcomes of your virtual event, you need to ensure all the right pieces are present, and one of the most important pieces is the right team. What is a team profile?Įvery member brings their individual competencies to a team collectively, this is deemed the “team’s profile” (Mathieu et al., 2014). Whether hiring staff or recruiting colleagues to assemble a team, it is necessary to ensure your team is built based on the specific competency needs (Kozlowski & Klein, 2000) for hosting a virtual conference or meeting. Fifty-three percent of event planners say they don’t have the necessary skills or experience to host an online event (Eventsforce, 2020). Much is different when comparing virtual to face to face, such as the effects of teaching, audience motivators, and technology (Frisch & Greene, 2020). Implementing a virtual conference or meeting can be a challenging task.
#EVENT MANAGEMENT UF SERIES#
This is the third publication in the Don’t Fake It, Make It! Series about virtual conferences and meetings.