Sher Downing was a pioneer in technology and online learning, before it was cool.
When the world came to a screeching halt in March, due to the coronavirus pandemic, her years of hard work in using technology and remote learning, were suddenly in demand.
“Suddenly businesspeople began working remotely and were trying to figure out, what and where to plug things in, and how to use the technology that had been there all along. I was thinking to myself, this is just a normal day for me, because I embraced technology a long time ago.”
Sher began her working career in the late 1980’s as an admissions administrator for higher education. Sitting behind a table greeting people and writing information down on small cards she learned the value of relationships. As time progressed and her roles increased, she was drawn to distance learning and its possibilities.
When Sher was asked to research the new concept of online education for the small college she was working for, she became totally immersed with the idea of remote learning. The marriage of her two first loves, education and technology was very intriguing to her.
She studied the process in depth and received several degrees culminating with a post-doctoral Master’s in “Intellectual Property and Digital Media.” She never tires of learning more about using technology’s various components to enhance and further education.
“It’s been a journey. I had a wonderful career in higher education and worked for various types of institutions. I gained experience working in private and corporate training sectors, but finally, I came to a midlife realization. I was tired of spending my 40 hours a week for someone else and being locked into something I wasn’t totally committed to, when I could create something of my own.”
Sher’s company, Downing EDTECH provides help to her business clients in three areas.
-e-learning design & development – customized to the needs of the client
-affiliate partnerships with vendors
-executive coaching, specific to the edtech industry
She does work with several companies, but her main focus is working with entrepreneurs, and small businesses. In 2020, entrepreneurs, who previously conducted face-to-face meetings, had to pivot, because of the pandemic. Coaching and training had to be conducted with the aid of zoom, or other virtual technology and be available online.
“My company, Downing EdTech has an experienced team of instructional and graphic designers that can create an online training, or meeting that will set you apart from your competition. We can conceive the best methodology and guide you through the areas that you are struggling with.”
Once the program is established and the video series is completed her company can also help launch it on the platform desired. Her team guides a client through the process and makes sure the training is timely, informative and interesting.
Sher realizes that each presentation is unique and needs to be broken down to its core elements.
“One of the biggest problems we see is a client that wants to complete an entire project at once. They haven’t considered marketing and distribution.”
A second problem, Sher finds with potential clients, is that they haven’t done their homework. Is there really a market for the proposed training, or informative series? What is the end target? Who is your audience?
“Sometimes we have to take a step back and do market research and ask several questions before we actually create an online training program.”
Downing EdTech has also launched the Speakers Resource Group as one of their incubators. The goal is to help people who want to be speakers or use speaking as a marketing tactic by creating a community of people who can learn from each other and from experts to learn from on the platform as well. It’s resources and network, on demand.
The Speakers Resource Group is initiating a new campaign to engage potential presenters. The Engagement Director for the membership will be talking with the members and making sure they are getting connected with the resources they need.
When we asked Sher, what were the things that people who are up-and-coming speakers need to work on she mentioned preparation, being ready to speak, even if it’s a 30 second commercial, not having a good microphone, because that is a bad reflection on the overall presentation, and finally, not having passion for their own personal brand.
Another one of the most important items to address with new virtual presenters is making sure their backgrounds are relevant and the lighting will not make the person disappear and cause a distraction in the meeting.
“Recently I was on a Zoom call and looked away from the screen for a second. When I looked back to the screen his head and hands were gone. I could only see his shirt. He looked like the invisible man.”
Sher feels the pandemic has forced business to understand and become more comfortable with the idea that there is a better way.
“Office buildings are expensive to maintain. If a job can be done at home, or from a remote location that is a huge savings to the company.”
The recent experience of salespeople using technology to continue relationships using Zoom and other virtual services has proven that expensive traveling for sales calls is not necessary.
One of the side benefits of people working from home is less time commuting and wasting time in meetings. By working from home, people are more relaxed, spend more time with family and are sleeping better. Thus, they are more attentive when in a meeting and more productive.
Sher feels the key items everyone should remember is that a virtual presentation requires planning. Not only with the content, or information, but also in the production, sound, lighting, background and speaking. These things should be written down and checked before any interaction is attempted.
Another key element for any speaker, or presenter is to understand their personal brand.
“You just can’t be enthusiastic about your product. The passion for your personal brand must come through that digital screen, as well.”
The pandemic has shown business across the country and the world that relationships can be built and maintained virtually. Prospects can be met, and sales can be made. Training can be accomplished to elevate performance, without spending thousands of dollars for travel.
Sher’s company, Downing EdTech can help your company, big, or small, improve your virtual presence and guide you into the digital age.
If you would like to learn more, visit her website: DowningEdTech.com, click on the Contact Us button and ask your question in the comment box.
She is also on LinkedIn and would welcome connecting with business owners.
Visit the Speakers Resource Group to learn more about it. The Speakers Resource Group is offering a free 30-minute coaching consultation to determine what help you may need and how they can help or if you know you are interested in participating in the Speakers Resource Group, just put Soar to Success in the comment box and you’ll receive three free months.
