Streaming Media?now a well accepted Internet technology. Yet streaming is still not being widely utilized by members of corporate training staffs. Why is this? I would venture to guess that lack of direct experience, hesitation to try new methods, and fears about costly "TV type stuff" have all contributed to make streaming seem like something too difficult to attempt successfully.
Granted, streaming media still has its limitations especially in the area of delivering full- screen, full-quality video. But most of the big players on the Internet, even those in head-to-head competition for the fast-growing streaming audience, agree that as bandwidth continues to improve, streaming provides a value added service to the Web. Live and on-demand streaming has definitely arrived on the Internet and on corporate intranets as part of a multimedia mix for all kinds of applications including sales, marketing, and training. (I think that the entertainment value need not be disputed.)
Streaming is economical and extremely affordable. Once the training production has been completed, there is no need for expensive tape, or CD-ROM, duplication and shipping charges. The stream is available 24 hours a day without human intervention and can remain on the company site for an indeterminate time. Streams can also be archived for easy access by new employees, customers and visitors. The cost of hosting and archiving these streams is minuscule compared with the costs associated with tape duplication, storage, mailing, and the personnel required to perform these tasks
What is streaming exactly? Streaming promises quick access to meaningful content without the aggravating wait for files to download. Downloading requires that files be sent to the user's PC in their entirety before they can be played; MP3 is a perfect example of this. The files then remain on the user's machine until they are deleted. Streaming continuously sends these same files, which have already been digitized, to the user's PC while the user is listening or watching. When the stream is ended, no data is left behind on the user's machine. Streams can also be password protected for additional security.
Why is this technology so well suited for training purposes? The first and most compelling answer is its availability. Unlike a video or tele-conference, the participant sets the time and place for the training activity, not the training provider. This is critical when you have a widely dispersed sales group, your company has remote locations, or workers who require training are on different shifts. This is also a very appealing feature for those seeking higher educational opportunities.
Maintaining training standards and techniques is facilitated with streaming media. The training provider is assured that all participants will see and hear the same program. It also makes the producer's job easier; he or she only has to "put-on" the program once Instead of many times and can put more emphasis on quality production values.
Streaming media can be seamlessly integrated with other tools as part of the same program. An audio stream could be used with still or 3-D graphics to talk about complex machinery, architectural plans, or engineering drawings. Use a video stream in conjunction with workbook exercises for the classroom. Combine audio, video, and graphics for a facilities tour for remote sales people and their customers. Utilize streaming as an effective employee orientation tool, also. Company manuals can be adapted for on-line use and be available on the company Intranet for training on demand.
Streaming media can provide the answer when a company needs to reach a great many consumers at one time. I spent several years in the juvenile products industry where product recalls are common. Many of those recalls involve products that require a simple mechanical adjustment that the end-user can easily perform when provided with clear instructions. Streaming media could be used to demonstrate the corrective procedure and save the company a small fortune by eliminating unnecessary phone calls and product returns.
Streaming media technology is fast becoming an accepted method for disseminating information as well as a technique to entertain and amuse us. Now that broadband connections are readily available, companies that are willing to harness these new techniques will be called "creators of value" and the innovators of the future.
Ronni Rhodes is the owner of WBC Imaging, an Internet company that specializes in web site enhancement utilizing streaming media technology. With her husband, Don, a digital media engineer, they work with companies to incorporate streaming as part of successful and meaningful sales and marketing programs.
Please direct all questions and comments to: ronni@wbcimaging.com 520-742-5780 ronni@wbcimaging.com
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carDon't you just hate the process of exchanging web site... Read More
Promote your website using articles - Internet is all about... Read More
Website owners and webmasters who are trying to improve their... Read More
Being a restaurant owner means you are always interested in... Read More
How to improve conversion rate for your website? How to... Read More
Here's a fairly obvious Multi Linking Strategy that is probably... Read More
Almost anyone who has tried submitting to free-for-all sites will... Read More
So you have completed that new site and want to... Read More
Creating a sense of credibility for your product and website... Read More
Link Value is the perceived value another site will derive... Read More
Webmasters across the globe are involved in a race to... Read More
At present there are over 3.3 billion pages indexed by... Read More
Yes, it can be done. Here are 7 ways that... Read More
Market my website? Why should I have to spend time... Read More
DMOZ editors are supposed to be professionals in the category... Read More
The number one key to getting business in the real... Read More
When we ran the contest back in 1998 we had... Read More
Writing articles for submission and distribution on the internet is... Read More
With the increase competition on the Internet, it can be... Read More
I took a look at a new Website recently in... Read More
Have you even been to CNN's website? Odds are you... Read More
Success in business thrives on ideas.The more creative you're the... Read More
A great way to get the word out about your... Read More
If you have a website and desires to attract traffic... Read More
Record keeping measurements for Internet marketing Record keeping tracks money... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Would you attempt to use a cell phone with a... Read More
Recently one of my students asked a great question: We... Read More
Description: one way of jumpstarting you link campaign is to... Read More
1. Using Hidden Links to increase subscribers or for a... Read More
Yahoo! allows you to set up your own front page... Read More
Hundreds of millions of people have spent thousands of dollars... Read More
Ok, now if you've started reading this article thinking that... Read More
Here's ten simple yet POWERFUL ideas for you to reflect... Read More
There was a time when reciprocal linking was a number... Read More
We get so caught up with internet marketing and "web... Read More
Writing articles for submission and distribution on the internet is... Read More
When webmasters have created their final master piece, their next... Read More
1. Ping weblogs.com and other search engines. When you ping... Read More
If you've subscribed to an seo newsletter for longer than... Read More
A great way to get the word out about your... Read More
Until recently, audio, video, Flash, and static graphics were all... Read More
Let's face it, getting (and keeping) a good Google... Read More
In the current competitive climate, tourism-dependant businesses in Coastal Maine... Read More
The latest trend in online marketing focuses on local search.... Read More
Each week I receive dozens of article submissions to my... Read More
It is estimated that it can take the average consumer... Read More
Does your business struggle with profitable online marketing? If so,... Read More
1. Create a free ebook directory on a specific topic... Read More
It is said that content is king, but today 'fresh,... Read More
I doubt that anyone reading this article hasn't at one... Read More
Web Site Promotion |