Even before COVID, we had already been running online training sessions — but it was during the pandemic that we truly learned what makes virtual training courses engaging and effective. Before 2020, experienced training companies had already developed solid methods for delivering sessions that were both useful and enjoyable for participants.
Then, in March 2020, classroom training sessions almost disappeared. Some organizations paused their learning activities altogether, but many switched to virtual delivery — and we adapted quickly. By 2021–2022, a lot of organizations never fully returned to in-person programs. It became clear that virtual learning can be almost as effective as classroom training — while being more cost-efficient and easier to fit into participants’ schedules, especially when teams are geographically dispersed.
After more than five years of intensive experience with virtual training, we now have a clear understanding of what makes it work. Here are three key success factors:
- Building a Learning Journey – Online sessions should ideally be no longer than 3,5-4 hours, and to achieve real behavior change, participants need multiple touchpoints. This makes pre-work and follow-up activities even more important — all connected ideally through a consistent online platform.
- Keeping Attention and Engagement High – In virtual settings, the risk of losing participants’ focus is much higher. It’s easy to start replying to emails or browsing the web. That’s why frequent interaction, variety, and smart use of tools (such as Conceptboard, Menti, Ideaboardz, Kahoot, etc.) — as well as breakout room sessions — are essential.
- Tailored Design – Participants are more present and motivated when the content is directly relevant to them. Precise goal-setting and careful participant selection are therefore even more critical in virtual programs. Only those who truly need the training should attend.
At Flow International, these principles form the foundation of how we design and deliver our programs. They are one of the key reasons why many of our clients trust us with their international leadership development initiatives. The virtual format ensures cost efficiency, while thoughtful, professional design guarantees effectiveness.
I’ve been working in HR field at companies for 27 years, 24 out of these as HR manager. I gained experience in companies of all types and sizes, from large American multinationals to large Hungarian companies, from FMCG to agriculture and the IT Telco sector.
Organization Development Consultant, Leadership Expert, Facilitator and Business Simulations Trainer. Partner and Consultant at Flow Group in Central Asia. Professionally helps people and organizations to reinvent and transform through changes to build lasting impact.
Co-Founder of FLOW Group International, I combine a passion for future trends and innovative approaches to life improvement, with expertise in People, Organizations and Culture Development.
Ian’s talent is translating complexity into simplicity. This applies especially well in his chosen areas of M&A, Leadership, Executive Coaching, Executive Team Alignment, Change Management & Strategy which he performs all over the world.
I am a qualified economist and have an MBA degree. After 7 years in HR consulting I spent 4 years in senior management positions working for ICT companies. I returned to consulting in the spring of 2005 as an associate managing director of Creanova; I work as a partner and senior consultant/trainer of the Flow Group.
Starting out at the University of Economics and most of all with the priceless experience AIESEC provided to me in as a student, I can now look back on a multifarious, colorful and successful career of 20 years.
Economist by education, Organization Development consultant by profession, one of the founding partners of Flow. I had my share of middle and top-level management exercise in multinational environment at the early years of my professional career. During the 35 years gained experience in the airline and courier industries, built a few successful consulting organizations, steered a school and a technology start-up. Experienced in leadership on the practical and the development sides as well. Recently I’ve enjoyed working in agile leadership and Organizational Network Analysis.
I am an organization development consultant, a senior trainer, a founding member and the managing partner of the Flow Group. I have been into organization development for 15 years and have 20 years of experience with running training courses.
Andrea Frenyo
