When organizing a meeting, seminar, workshop, or training session, the question of whether to conduct it in person or remotely often arises. Here, we focus specifically on training.
1. The Key Element to Define Before Choosing In-Person or Virtual
Let’s consider the example of Simon Sinek, author and management speaker, who introduced the concept of “Start with Why.” This concept emphasises defining an organisation’s purpose before focusing on its actions. It helps mobilise teams, inspire action, and align decisions with the mission. In short, the “why” is the foundation of sustainable success.
This concept also applies to training. The purpose of the training and the organisers should be solely guided by the goal of creating a successful participant experience. This is the guiding principle: the participant’s experience should always be at the center of decision-making.
Training is simply a tool. To choose the most appropriate format, go back to basics and ask: Why are you doing this? What problem are you trying to solve? What is your goal?
Moreover, training represents a significant investment of time and resources. Therefore, it is essential that the training is engaging and quickly translates into practical outcomes.
Once this is clear, the question remains: in-person or virtual?
2. In-Person vs. Virtual: The Advantages and Disadvantages
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning was rarely considered. Training sessions were generally held in person, especially when they involved collaboration, co-creation, or team-building.
From the trainer’s perspective, it is often easier to capture and maintain participants’ attention with in-person sessions. This format offers a more convivial, participative experience and allows for deeper reflection. However, organizing in-person sessions can be relatively challenging.
“We offer our clients both in-person and remote options. We notice a significant difference: when organising in-person training, the time between the decision to hold the training and its deployment is three times longer. You need to consider participants who don’t work at the training site, room availability, and everyone’s vacation schedules. The impact is huge and can sometimes delay skill development on strategic topics by several months.”
Ninon Stref, Co-Leader of the Wemanity Learning Center
On the other hand, remote training offers greater flexibility. By eliminating travel time, it saves considerable time and overcomes potential geographical barriers for your teams. Additionally, it is often less costly—on average, two to five times cheaper than in-person training. A more adaptable approach, such as digital or e-learning training, can also be effective. However, if you choose this format, we recommend combining it with interactive moments, such as Q&A sessions or webinars.
The virtual format may seem less engaging for participants, and it can be more challenging to maintain their attention. It’s common for participants to check their emails during a virtual session. Be aware that this behavior is more frequent in remote settings, and plan accordingly when preparing the training.
Establishing good practices is important: set participation rules, keep cameras on, ensure a good connection, schedule shorter training sessions, and incorporate more frequent breaks and energizers.
“In a remote setting, we offer training modules of 1.5 to 2 hours. This makes it easier to fit into participants’ schedules and fosters a culture of continuous learning. It’s much easier to dedicate 2 hours of your time each month to training than to free up entire days. In this short format, the learner stays focused and is enriched and inspired by new knowledge.”
Ninon Stref, Co-Leader of the Wemanity Learning Center
The format also matters. Trainers must be vigilant not to fall into the trap of a top-down session. Sharing and interaction are key in any training session and can be hindered in a virtual setting. It’s up to the trainer to maintain this dynamic. An engaging format could include a serious game, which makes the session more playful and engaging, breaking the monotony of the virtual setting. In small groups, learners can put their new knowledge into practice.
3. Combining In-Person and Virtual for an Optimal Experience
“At the Wemanity Learning Center, we believe that remote training complements in-person training. In some situations, remote training is more practical (e.g., for distributed teams or when finding common availability is difficult). That said, some employees really need to be on-site to stay focused and learn. The key to a successful learning experience is to create varied and adapted learning paths by combining remote and in-person formats, both synchronous and asynchronous.”
Ninon Stref, Co-Leader of the Wemanity Learning Center
As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Each format has its advantages and disadvantages. The most important thing is to keep the learner at the center of your training approach: the success of their experience should be the guiding principle when choosing your training format.
So, in-person or remote? Contact us to find the best option for your needs.
The participant’s experience. The choice between in-person and virtual should be guided by the goal of ensuring an optimal experience for learners.
In-person sessions capture attention better and promote interaction, but they are more challenging to organize and less flexible than virtual options. Choose in-person if interaction and reflection are key, but be mindful of the cost and logistical challenges.
Yes, and it’s often the best solution. Virtual formats can be used for short, theoretical modules, while in-person sessions can be reserved for more interactive and practical training.
