We all love Zoom, but not for an SKO

With the holidays right around the corner, now is the time to start planning Sales Kickoffs (SKOs) for early 2021. Especially because they will have to be in accordance with the new COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. (Hint, this means a virtual or hybrid solution.) 

The challenge, now that virtual events are no longer a novelty, is designing a virtual event that’s worth the time for guests and speakers alike, as well as your company’s financial investment. “Zooming” has become synonymous with virtual meetings and may sound like an easy solution, but we feel strongly that it’s not the right platform for an SKO. 

Sales Kickoffs are Multifaceted Events

In order to achieve the main goals of educating and inspiring a sales team, in-person SKO’s tend to be a series of different types of events spread out over multiple days.

For example, SKOs we have produced can include (but are not limited to) a welcome reception, presentations ranging from keynotes to panels to an awards ceremonies, networking opportunities, a blow-out party, regional office and/or team games, and, of course, some sweet, sweet swag your Sales Team will wear with pride.  

Zoom Is Only Great for What It was Built For

Zoom is an excellent platform for certain types of events. For example:  

• Team & client meetings

• Casual gatherings & happy hours

• Collaborative working or brainstorming sessions of less than 20 guests

• Distance learning

What do all of these events have in common? They are all relatively short in duration and are intended for all attendees to participate in a singular event. The platform as a whole is not designed to accommodate multiple, simultaneous events and does not provide a central hub for communication and networking.  Don’t worry, Bash Creative has a very affordable platform solution in the Virtual SKO Blueprint, meant for teams who are looking to thrive in this new normal, and we would love to connect on what will work for your virtual SKO! 

Challenges of “Hacking” Zoom Past It’s Intended Use
Zoom is designed as a single solution and customization is either not an option or cost-prohibitive for the majority of companies. Our in-depth research of Zoom uncovered several challenges that would remove it from the running as a platform for an effective & engaging SKO. 

• Lack of a centralized hub or single access point to multiple sessions - Each activity or session has to be a unique meeting or webinar that requires attendees to log in each and every time.

• Not designed for a series of presentations in a single livestream.   - Webinars have a “practice mode” where presenters and moderators get setup before going to broadcast. Once the webinar has started broadcasting, there is no built-in “backstage” to prep the next presenter if, for example, there are multiple keynotes that are part of the same webinar. 

• Limited Security Features - Without using Zoom’s built-in registration (which has minimal options for customization), the workarounds required to create secure meetings have a large margin for human error.  

• Complex Setting Controls - The settings to customize a Zoom webinar or meeting are found in multiple locations and occasionally override each other. These can include:

  • Presenter’s Zoom Desktop Client 

  • User Account that the meeting is scheduled to

  • The Meeting or Webinar

  • The Zoom Desktop Client on the computer of the active meeting host   

  • Attendees’ Zoom Desktop Client  

• Inconsistent Video playback - Zoom has a higher probability of dropping frames; risk low quality and/or failure of pre-recorded content. 

• Minimal Branding opportunities

• Does not record in HD 

• Unable moderate chat and Q&A - There is not a feature to remove inappropriate comments or irrelevant questions. Which can leave your company and employees in a really vulnerable position. 

• No way to incorporate Sponsors or Partners 

Overall, Zoom is NOT a primary platform for an SKO and will require bringing in supplementary platforms or services to create the desired experience you are hoping to achieve. While we know it is an “easy” solution to turn to, it does not necessarily mean it is the right one.  

We have combined world-class event management with strategic sales training to create a solution for your 2021 SKO that is both easy and affordable. Are you ready to find out more? We would love to share our Virtual SKO Blueprint and collaborate with your team on making your 2021 SKO everything your sales team is looking for - and more!

Bash Creative is an event planning company that specializes in incredible gatherings that go beyond just great design. We’re known for teasing out smart goals for your event and serve up a stylish execution that will keep your guests buzzing. Located in San Francisco, but often found in New York, Austin, Chicago, Seattle, and beyond.