on the fast lane: With interactive virtual
live events in vitero case study: vitero at AUDI Retailer Development / Training Germany
The market and service of premium vehicles require highly qualifi ed staff. Thus, the AUDI AG retailer network relies on continuous education and training. The Retailer Development / Training team has been successfully using vitero in a systematic blended learning concept since 2016. Therefore, the trainings have been entirely digitalized with the virtual team room, as face-to-face events had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. The question that remained open was how to implement big events like the “Anders” conference virtually. “How do I create atmosphere in a digital world?” asked Heiko Schmidt, head of Retailer Development / Training. Postponing the event was not an option. Could vitero be a solution here as well?
innovative formats in the area of further training.
Hybrid conference
More than 200 external trainers, lectures, discussions and a lively exchange: The “Anders” conference has different contents and different locations. It is something special and challenges Heiko Schmidt’s team every year – this time complicated by the pandemic. The seamless transition with vitero to entirely digital training formats led to the idea that the “different location” could be a virtual one this year. The team knew that “vitero can do more than just trainings and meetings”. Thus, a hybrid Anders-conference concept was developed for the implementation in vitero.
One place, one solution
Interviews, keynote speeches and discussions were broadcast live in vitero from one event location. While the attendees were thus able to participate in the program, further rooms were available for collaboration. Parallel work groups discussed technical topics there. The advantage: Audi could rely on an all-in-one solution for both components with vitero. As in presence, the joint virtual space with multiple rooms allowed different settings and a smooth transition. The switch from a lecture with subsequent discussion in the plenum to a lively exchange in the work groups was easily possible.
From passive observation to active participation: With the help of interaction, one could engage at any time.
Exchange instead of frontal sonication
For Heiko Schmidt vitero is “a tool that is able to transfer the character of presence very well into a digital character. I can do exactly the same methodical things that are possible in a conference room. Sticky points, multiple choice queries or the forum – “We used the entire range to get everyone involved.” The result was a lively construct: “Participants were able to ask questions during the live streamed lecture or engage in casual discussion with us afterwards. So passive watching turned into active participation. And a business TV show became a highly interactive business event.
Interactive business event
„We felt a bit like we were in a live show on TV”, reports Christiane Nicolai, also from the Retailer Development / Training team. The only difference was that the “audience” was involved in the event via vitero. The success of the format was also refl ected in the positive feedback from the participants: “We felt like we were there, too.” The fact that something like this is possible in the digital world means “a completely new and at the same time very important experience” for Heiko Schmidt. The mixing of technical workshops, loosening up live broadcasts and interactive elements ensured an entertaining character. Thanks to a professional support from an on-site fi lm team and vitero, the event ran smoothly.
The right partner
“It’s a challenge to manage everything so well”, says Christiane Nicolai. Such a format requires professional expertise. “We knew that we had competent partners at vitero that support us at all times. That makes it much easier for us.” Whether it was answering technical questions in advance or accompanying the conference: the vitero team was the right support for the implementation of the virtual business event. “This creates security and is a relevant necessity.” The great result shows: it was worth it and it makes you want to do more.
Only the beginning
The next format in the same style is already being implemented. With “Außergewöhnliche Einblicke”, employees of the trade organization can take part in interviews with unreachable people at AUDI AG. “For the participants, it is something special to get in touch with such exciting people. The beauty of it is that although it is digital, it feels very human and close”, says Heiko Schmidt. Even though the next Anders conference will again take place in presence, further live events with vitero are being planned. “I imagine having small digital conferences again and again. The world is hybridizing more. Many things are possible – we just have to dare.”
Further Case Studies
Well-known customers and partners from a wide variety of sectors and industries speak for the diversity of vitero inspire. The numerous possibilities of vitero are also evident from the variety of our application settings.