Planning a Successful Virtual Sales Kickoff

By Michelle Dotson, Zoom Sr. Manager, Sales Enablement

Annual sales kickoffs virtual for the first time in future . Don’t be afraid (SKOs) are a fantastic way August, bringing together to acknowledge those to boost morale, build a more than 2,000 Zoomies emotions and be open sense of community and around the world for about the challenges we culture, celebrate big wins, two days of connection, all face . and get everyone fired up to crush their goals in the year ahead . With the COVID-19 pandemic limiting travel and large gatherings, a number of companies — including Zoom — have had to adjust how they host inperson training and teambuilding events. education, and inspiration . Shared here is what was learned from planning and producing the first virtual SKO. Be frank with your teams The pandemic has caused an enormous amount of uncertainty for businesses and economies worldwide . Employees may be feeling The executive keynote wove in messages around connection and optimism for the future . The leadership team also thanked employees for their dedication and hard work through this historic time, setting a positive tone for the experience ahead . Zoom’s annual SKO, called overwhelmed, anxious, Growth Summit, went and unsure about the

Offer a customized experience Zoom’s Growth Summit featured sessions that were designed for With virtual events, it’s important specific roles, allowing content to be tailored and to ensure your agenda is filled with customized for different attendees . This helped a mix of valuable sessions and fun create more engagement, activities. and each employee left their sessions with valuable information regional agendas so your agenda is filled specific to their role. employees in EMEA with a mix of valuable Because there was no logical way to get employees across the world to attend one agenda that worked, three events were held over (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), APAC, and North America could hear success stories that were relevant to their region sessions and fun activities. Provide ample breaks for employees to stretch and grab a bite in between . Unlike in-person events that may go all day, three days . It was a lot of Gamify for engagement consider creating a more work, but it was absolutely Zoom hosted Growth compact schedule that worth it to provide an Summit on an online allows attendees a few engaging experience for platform that allowed hours of freedom before international employees gamified session and after the event to who might otherwise engagement by handle customer calls and feel left out or have to encouraging employees emails, or unwind and get attend sessions in the late to earn points through ready for the next day . evening or early morning hours . Here are just a few ways Zoom tailored the experience for international Zoomies: ▶ Sessions for APAC (Asia-Pacific) teams had live Japanese translation and English transcription ▶ Several sessions were page clicks, length of time on a page, and answering questions about sessions . The event leaderboard drove competition and engagement throughout all three regions . While 100% engagement, couldn’t be guaranteed, it was evident who was completely checked out of the event — and a friendly note to their manager Lastly, make it fun! Use humor, guest speakers, virtual backgrounds, competitions, and Zoom Chat live in sessions to create a meaningful, engaging, and successful virtual sales kickoff your attendees will remember . Looking delivered fully in Japanese with English helped them get right back on track . for more? translators Don’t forget the fun stuff! ▶ Included local With virtual events, it’s Learn More customers in the important to ensure