How to level up production in your online workshops 

How to level up production in your online workshops 

5 February 2024

How to level up production in your online workshops 

Chris Alexander

Online workshop producer

Online learning poses many challenges for both learners and facilitators.

  • How can you ensure that your online workshops are engaging, interactive, and effective?
  • How can you avoid technical glitches, distractions, and boredom?
  • How can you create a collaborative and human-centric learning environment in the virtual space? 

The answer is simple: you need a technical producer! 

A technical producer supports the facilitator and the participants by taking care of the technical aspects of the workshop. A technical producer can help you with :

  1. Advising on the best software and tools to leverage for the ultimate online experience. (Check out tools like @mural / @miro / @ahaslides / @slido for ideas).  
  2. Setting up and testing the online platform and collaboration tools before the workshop 
  3. Managing the audio, video, and chat functions during the workshop 
  4. Troubleshooting any technical issues or problems that may arise 
  5. Assisting the participants with any questions or difficulties they may have 
  6. Monitoring the feedback and engagement of the participants 
  7. Coordinating the breakout rooms, polls, quizzes, and other interactive activities 
  8. Recording and sharing the workshop materials and outcomes 

Many of our Senior Producers will also act as Co-Facilitators and are able to operate in a dual capacity, assisting with breakout topic moderation for example.

Our producers are ever present and communicative, a very crucial part of any online environment, we know the principles of L&D and take an active role in the learning journey; we are not simply silent technicians, but true learning delivery partners.  

By having a technical producer, you can free yourself from the stress and hassle of the technical side of the online workshop and focus on delivering your valuable content and engaging the participants. You can also ensure that the participants have a smooth and enjoyable learning experience, without any interruptions or frustrations. 

How we can help elevate your online workshops

At Virtual Approval, we have a global team of experienced and professional technical producers who can help you level up your online production. We are always well prepared for any eventuality, taking care of the tech and the logistics – with precision planning and meticulous production to create a robust virtual environment built for learning, interacting and enjoying the space together. We have a passion for technology and unlocking the potential for your online classroom, webinar or meeting.  

What our online training provider clients say:

We have been on a journey with one of our long-standing clients, Human Centric Leaders (HCL), and have worked collaboratively to continually improve the experience for the workshop attendees, and the facilitators alike. 

Human Centric Leaders are a highly skilled and experienced organisation who pride themselves on a deep, purpose driven, and people focused approach to leadership training, team building and one to one coaching, really injecting soul and personality into corporate environments and delivering valuable transformation – at a human level; and a business level – you can find out more about them here.  

We started our collaboration back in 2020 and were enlisted to help with smoothly producing their online workshops, specifically with finding solutions to transferring exercises they had previously done in the room to the virtual space.  

Over the past three years we have worked with HCL to conceptualize and deliver over 27 interactive virtual whiteboards using @Miro. Our workshop design team has created bespoke interactive activities using breakouts, whiteboards and gamification software. We have provided technical support to countless of their virtual workshops delivered to prestigious global consulting and financial brands.  

Here is what Xavier Garcia-Weibel, Director & Coach at HCL, has to say about our service: 

“Virtual Approval has been the magic ingredient to our virtual workshops. Their ability to support our workshop design and delivery with their agile, dynamic, and friendly presence is unmatched!”   

To learn more about our services and how we can help you click here for a breakdown of our workshop services

You can also contact us for a free consultation and a quote by filling in the let’s talk form below. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you on your next online workshop. Thank you for reading! 

Andy Griffiths

Executive Director at The Investor Forum CIC

“Virtual Approval helped us transform our annual meeting for over 150 senior business and investment leaders into an interactive webinar with keynote speakers, breakout discussions and a forum for feedback discussion. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner. Rachel ...

“Virtual Approval helped us transform our annual meeting for over 150 senior business and investment leaders into an interactive webinar with keynote speakers, breakout discussions and a forum for feedback discussion. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner. Rachel and the team created the perfect format, choreographed the discussion superbly and created an impactful series of post event videos for our website. The team at Virtual Approval is outstanding.”

Alex Stathis Tsao

Account Director, Taylor Partners, New York USA

“It’s a huge testament to all of you that we had such a strong showing and a highly engaged audience. Two media in attendance said it was the best virtual experience they have attended yet - WOW!”

“It’s a huge testament to all of you that we had such a strong showing and a highly engaged audience. Two media in attendance said it was the best virtual experience they have attended yet - WOW!”

John Brownhill

Co-Founder at food4heroes

“We used Virtual Approval to help us with our Online Auction for food4heroes, which raised a whopping £23,000. The Zoom show brought together presenters, performers, and video content over 1.5 hours [and] was flawless thanks to Rachel’s calm approach. If ...

“We used Virtual Approval to help us with our Online Auction for food4heroes, which raised a whopping £23,000. The Zoom show brought together presenters, performers, and video content over 1.5 hours [and] was flawless thanks to Rachel’s calm approach. If you are looking to run a live online event using Zoom, then look no further than Rachel if you want it to be a success.”

Bill Barton

Director at Barton Legal

"We engaged Virtual Approval to act in the role of administrator for the first-ever virtual trial in the Business and Property Courts. Rachel worked with us to organise, research, arrange and manage the secure registration of people to attend, the ...

"We engaged Virtual Approval to act in the role of administrator for the first-ever virtual trial in the Business and Property Courts. Rachel worked with us to organise, research, arrange and manage the secure registration of people to attend, the daily viewing and recording, and liaison with the transcription service. It is hard to overstate what a fantastic service Rachel and her company provided.”

Courteney Donnaldson, Managing Director

Christie & Co

"Rachel and her amazing team assisted us in facilitating a business networking dinner and they were truly exceptional. I would not hesitate in recommending Rachel and her colleagues. In the run up to the event nothing was too much trouble, ...

"Rachel and her amazing team assisted us in facilitating a business networking dinner and they were truly exceptional. I would not hesitate in recommending Rachel and her colleagues. In the run up to the event nothing was too much trouble, and they shared great ideas and suggestions based on their successes from previous event experiences. On the night, they were super organised, cool, calm, collected. The feedback we had from guests was first class. For all of our upcoming event needs, Rachel and her team will be my first port of call."

ToniMarie DiPietro, Event Coordinator

Covenant House New Jersey

"We have been working with the Virtual Approval team since 2020 and they are an amazing company to work with! Their team is comprised of professional, organized, talented, and extremely competent staff! They are extremely responsive and helpful in every ...

"We have been working with the Virtual Approval team since 2020 and they are an amazing company to work with! Their team is comprised of professional, organized, talented, and extremely competent staff! They are extremely responsive and helpful in every way. We host multiple virtual events a year and couldn't have done it without their expertise! I highly recommend Virtual Approval for all your virtual event needs!"

Paul Hayes, Director

Real Time Broadcast

"We have a fantastic partnership with the great team at Virtual Approval working on a number of successful virtual events together, They are always really organised, creative and really enjoyable to work with. The VA team also provide support for ...

"We have a fantastic partnership with the great team at Virtual Approval working on a number of successful virtual events together, They are always really organised, creative and really enjoyable to work with. The VA team also provide support for our Social Media helping us elevate our services, really capturing what we want to say. Couldn't recommend more!"

Solicitor

Clyde & Co

“We recently engaged Virtual Approval to provide virtual hearing management services for a virtual arbitration held via Zoom. Rachel provided comprehensive and invaluable support both during the build-up to the hearing and during the hearing itself. She was always available ...

“We recently engaged Virtual Approval to provide virtual hearing management services for a virtual arbitration held via Zoom. Rachel provided comprehensive and invaluable support both during the build-up to the hearing and during the hearing itself. She was always available to provide advice and support when needed.”

Xavier Garcia - Weibel

Leadership Coach, Human Centric Leaders, Switzerland

"Rachel’s fluency with virtual tools makes her the perfect companion of facilitated workshops. She is proactive, attentive to customer needs and helps you sort out difficulties in the moment where your mind as participant or as a facilitator needs to ...

"Rachel’s fluency with virtual tools makes her the perfect companion of facilitated workshops. She is proactive, attentive to customer needs and helps you sort out difficulties in the moment where your mind as participant or as a facilitator needs to be elsewhere. She is also eager to learn and improve, a great quality to hold in a fast moving business environment.”

Parvesh Patel

Client

"Saved our home and lives. 1st online High Court case (technology and construction) managed in a very professional manner without a glitch. if it was not for Rachel's input and management, the courts would not have been confident of the platform ...

"Saved our home and lives. 1st online High Court case (technology and construction) managed in a very professional manner without a glitch. if it was not for Rachel's input and management, the courts would not have been confident of the platform and our family would have been bullied and forced into bankruptcy by the council. Can't recommend the company highly enough. Thanks Rachel"

Jo Fife, Headmaster

Wandsworth Preparatory School

“Thank you for organising our first virtual event as a school. I was very impressed at your calm head in a stressful situation and your incredibly professional attitude throughout. The videos are looking fantastic.”

“Thank you for organising our first virtual event as a school. I was very impressed at your calm head in a stressful situation and your incredibly professional attitude throughout. The videos are looking fantastic.”

Rachel Buckler, Chair

Ofted Big Conversation North West & Early Years Hub

"I cannot recommend Rachel and her colleagues at Virtual Approval highly enough. Our event, the North West Ofsted Big Conversation, has twice now been hosted by Rachel and her team. Even though our future events might be able to take place ...

"I cannot recommend Rachel and her colleagues at Virtual Approval highly enough. Our event, the North West Ofsted Big Conversation, has twice now been hosted by Rachel and her team. Even though our future events might be able to take place again in a large venue we will still be asking Rachel to help us to manage the process again Possibly a hybrid option? Thanks Rachel and all of your amazing team."

Gareth Allen

Coach at Gareth Allen Performance Coach

“It was remarkable to learn that we had only been scratching the surface of what Zoom can do. There was so much more to it, and with your expert guidance, I now feel fully equipped to use Zoom to its ...

“It was remarkable to learn that we had only been scratching the surface of what Zoom can do. There was so much more to it, and with your expert guidance, I now feel fully equipped to use Zoom to its full potential.”

Duncan Bell

Director - Branchout Productions

"Cameron, I wanted to personally thank you so much for all your hard work, support and help. I know the project grew and grew and appreciate yours and Rachel's calm, professional and exceptional organisation to make this as smooth as ...

"Cameron, I wanted to personally thank you so much for all your hard work, support and help. I know the project grew and grew and appreciate yours and Rachel's calm, professional and exceptional organisation to make this as smooth as possible and come together. Look forward to working with you both much more in the future."

Phill Metcalfe, Commercial Manager

Protech Roofing

"Would highly recommend Virtual Approval to help your business take that extra step in getting you better Social Media and Marketing exposure to your working sectors. Please contact Rachel & her helpful team if you want your business to stand ...

"Would highly recommend Virtual Approval to help your business take that extra step in getting you better Social Media and Marketing exposure to your working sectors. Please contact Rachel & her helpful team if you want your business to stand out from the crowd!"

Lynn Mackay-Thomas, CEO

British Society for Heart Failure

"Virtual Approval did a great job working up to the event and on the day. They were professional, seamless and worked well together. Nothing was too much trouble and they tried to accommodate everything. "

"Virtual Approval did a great job working up to the event and on the day. They were professional, seamless and worked well together. Nothing was too much trouble and they tried to accommodate everything. "

Audrey H

VP of Operations, Learning Solutions USA

"Virtual Approval has made coordinating our virtual sessions a breeze!  I have worked with their team on the operations/logistics side, when we needed a broader team to support our virtual offerings.  Virtual Approval came in with a fully drawn-out process, ...

"Virtual Approval has made coordinating our virtual sessions a breeze!  I have worked with their team on the operations/logistics side, when we needed a broader team to support our virtual offerings.  Virtual Approval came in with a fully drawn-out process, they assigned multiple producers with time zone coverage across the world, helped us set up trainings with our facilitators, and then trained new team members on their own without our help once they knew the ropes.  They are transparent and reasonable with their rates, and are so easy to work with!"

Charlotte W

Operations Lead & Learning Solutions Manager

"Virtual Approval has become a true partner of ours in every sense of the word. Rachel and her team have been there to support our virtual and hybrid needs over the past 2 years, providing us not only with excellence ...

"Virtual Approval has become a true partner of ours in every sense of the word. Rachel and her team have been there to support our virtual and hybrid needs over the past 2 years, providing us not only with excellence service, but with support and guidance whenever we need it. We have collaborated to build a seamless working relationship with open and honest communication at the heart of it. They are organised, solution-focused and professional. No matter what the challenge is, the team has produced innovative solutions often with short notice. I couldn’t recommend Virtual Approval highly enough!"

Kate Burgess

Programme Manager, Learning & Development

"Virtual Approval are an extremely professional organisation.  Rachel, Chris and the team were very responsive to our initial enquiries, their documentation and contracting was simple and straightforward so made a stressful situation with difficult time constraints, easy to navigate.  Their ...

"Virtual Approval are an extremely professional organisation.  Rachel, Chris and the team were very responsive to our initial enquiries, their documentation and contracting was simple and straightforward so made a stressful situation with difficult time constraints, easy to navigate.  Their team of producers are all reliable, well-prepared and help above and beyond the requirements on paper, going the extra mile for the facilitators and client.  A delight to work with and asset to any team!"

Let’s talk