WHAT is a WEB MEETING?

Web meetings are just that, a place on the internet where we can have a meeting. The service we are using is called MegaMeeting (www.megameeting.com if you want to investigate it further). With a web cam, microphone & speakers, and a high speed internet connection, we can be talking and see each other much like a face to face meeting. During our meeting I can "share" my computer screen so that you can see whatever is on my computer screen. Just like looking over my shoulder, I can demonstrate selling software, show you photographs for critique. I can even take you to different websites or hook up a separate video camera and put on a live training 'TV' show from the studio, to demonstrate equipment use and setup, or would a video on posing children, or 'old folks' be helpful?

With only a little imagination, you can see how we could accomplish a tremendous amount of training and information exchange. Using the internet to cover a large area and with NO cost outlay for gas, motels, and meeting rooms.

WHAT DO YOU NEED

For the best meeting experience you will need all the following. The optional items are marked.

1) High Speed internet connection (Required)

2) Speakers (Required)

3) Microphone (Optional, but highly recommended)

4) Web Camera (Optional, but no one can see you without one)

Using only the optional items will give you a minimal conference experience, and minimal benefits of the video conference. I have checked prices at Staples and Compuserve: microphones can be had for about $10 and up, while a usable web cams start at about $25. If you find better prices, let me know and I'll post it here.

PREPARING FOR A MEETING

1) When I show my computer screen on yours over the internet, it's important that our computers have the same resolution. So, before we start, adjust your screen resolution to 1024 x 768.

2) Have any cameras, microphone, and speakers, along with their associated drivers, all installed and properly running before booting up your computer, for an internet meeting.

JOINING A MEETING

1) At the time we agree to start the meeting, I will send each member an e-mail "invitation'.

2) The invitation will contain the internet link to the meeting. You need only click on the link and follow the instructions. There is little else to do to enter the meeting.

TALKING ON MEGA MEETING

1) Talking on Mega Meeting is not quite like talking on a cell phone, but is more like talking on a CB radio where you need to hold down a button while you talk. If fact, because of some timing issues, you will need to press and hold the button for a portion of a second before you start talking, and to continue holding the button for a short time after you stop talking.

2) If you fail to hold the "talk" button for the short time before and after you talk, you will cut off the first and last 1/2 second of what you are saying. On a short reply, such as a "yes" or "no", the listeners will likely not hear any reply from you at all.

PRACTICE

For meetings to operate smoothly, it's best to have a "practice" meeting beforehand. This is the opportunity to insure that everything is hooked up properly, and that you are comfortable using the meeting controls. To set up a meeting for training or practice, E-mail me (pwilson@lifetouch.com or pixurman9@aol.co NOTE: the AOL address is not checked as regularly, but if it's personal use AOL) or call my cell (614-570-7971), and we can work out a time and date to insure that we are communicating perfectly on the first attempt at a real meeting.

GENERAL WEB MEETING INFO

The meeting site package I have allows up to "3 seats" in the "room" including myself. This costs $45.oo per month, ($15 per seat, per month).  I can add up to 16 seats total to the 'room.' This on a pro-rated bases, so we only need to pay for the seats and the time actually used by us. In other words, I can have a meeting with 5 more seats (total of 8) for 5 days and it only costs 12.50 plus my regular $45 monthly fee. So, the costs of web meetings with the MegaMeeting service is pretty reasonable. Compare this to the costs of 8 people from 3 different cities driving two hours to a 4th city for a 5 day meeting. Add in the cost of motel and meals plus a meeting room (or renting a church room)......well even if it's cheap motel rooms and you carpool in VW beetles, you will never beat the cost of a meeting on-line!... even at OLD gas prices.

Are online meetings the answer to all field training cost? ... of course not. However, meeting online is a viable response to increasing cost issues and will make a positive impact on the bottom line. It wont, and can't replace a face to face meeting or a one on one training session. But, the web has a place in our training  "tool belt" that will be part of every business' future, by necessity . And those businesses, like ours, with a large field force who embrace the cost savings of web meetings, will be the ones more likely to survive the current gas crunch, and will be positioned for a future of training on the web.

I started using web conferencing after being learning that, web training and meetings will be part of our future .... whether we want it to be, or not. Those companies who embrace it now, will be the ones to enjoy it's benefits and savings today. They will also be the companies with a better chance of being here in the future."

REGARDS,