Why can't you be more like me? (or, how not to make a big splash)

I'm currently up skilling, or skilling up, or learning some new stuff, and it entails listening to some Web-Ex recordings. Now some of you will already be lapsing into paroxysms of lethargy due to your own experiences with this marvel of the age. The problem is a straightforward one; you have to be more interesting!

I've sat through dozens of these but I've also done quite a few as well, and I'm, always struck by how different people perform when they are 'virtual'. Otherwise fluid speakers are reduced to gibbering morons, diction gets left in the suitcase in the hotel and the distant learner begins to feel, well, distant.

WebEx and Adobe both offer training courses to prepare you for this type of delivery but does the acquisition of some technical skills really prepare you for delivery?

I recently did a wholly virtual course on virtualisation (I know) to a bunch of guys in Canada, the US and Brazil (well, the Brazilians didn't show, but I had to prepare for them anyway). As is the way in technical training, budgets are slim and accommodation and travel can take a big bite out of what you have. So I had my guys from Mississauga, Ohio and Houston all desperate to learn the mysteries of VMware. 5 days, 9 hours per day and all virtual.

In training you have to engage your students, or whatever the hell you call them in your world. In a V class you have to be extra vigilant and take that much more notice of their language patterns and even their silence patterns. Take some time to socialise a bit, get to know your guys and never talk s about anything contentious (yes, religion, politics or gun control). Above all though, be interesting. Be prepared and try your very best to, uh, not ah, hold on a minute guys.............................got it, waffle! Use modulation more often, inject real interest, or as much as you can fake, into your delivery. Emphasise that you're a long way from them too and get them on your side.

Some simple tips, folks but none more important than ....  switch your mic off before you go to the bathroom.