Introducing ways to utilize webinars, which are gaining more and more attention, and specific examples

Due to the effects of the new coronavirus, meetings and events in places where people gather are restricted.

As a new work style, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has opened
a “Telework Comprehensive Portal Site”
to promote telework and online meetings.

Webinar is a general term for seminars and conferences held online.

Due to the spread of the coronavirus, it has become difficult to gather people for real seminars and meetings both inside and outside the company, so demand for webinars that can be attended from anywhere as long as there is an environment where you can watch videos is rapidly increasing.

In this article, we will introduce the overview and benefits of webinars, which are gaining more and more attention, as well as how to utilize them and provide specific examples.

What is a webinar?

Webinar

is a coined word that combines the words “web” and “seminar,” and refers to online seminars, training, and lectures distributed over the Internet.

When holding a seminar at an external venue, various preparations and costs are required, such as finding a venue, making reservations, securing management staff, and transportation expenses for speakers.

However, since webinars are distributed over the Internet, although there are costs such as usage fees for external platforms, there is almost no effort required for advance preparation and management.

In addition, there is no limit to the number of customers you can attract on the Internet, and you can attract customers not only from Japan but from all over the world.

These benefits are not only for the organizers.

Participants also have the advantage of not having to travel to the venue, and can participate from anywhere as long as they have a device such as a PC or smartphone and an internet environment.

Additionally, even if you are unable to attend the webinar due to inconvenience, if the organizer

archives

the seminar video, you can watch it at your convenience.

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How to use webinars in your company

Here are some ways companies can use webinars:

1. 
   Company information session
   

Webinars can be used as an opportunity to promote your business, company, and services to new and potential customers. Since the host and participants can communicate in real time, questions and answers will be no problem. Additionally, an increasing number of companies are holding company information sessions for new graduate hires via webinars.

1. 
   Product/service briefing session
   

Webinars are also useful when explaining your company’s products and services to the outside world. Real seminars are expensive to run, but webinars can be held whenever needed while keeping costs down.

1. 
   Communicating information to existing customers
   

It can be used as a place to convey information to existing customers about how to use your company’s products and services and know-how. While it is necessary to appeal to new and potential customers, it is also important to maintain connections between customers and the company in order to continue retaining existing customers.

1. 
   Study session for employees
   

In addition to being used externally, webinars can also be used as a study tool for your own employees. Study sessions that use videos can be disseminated to the entire company at once, and have the advantage that employees can watch them over and over again.

1. 
   General meeting of shareholders
   

Shareholder meetings using webinars are also called “virtual shareholder meetings,” and more and more companies are adopting them due to the effects of the new coronavirus. The advantage is that there is no need to prepare or manage the venue, and it is easy for shareholders who live far away to participate.

Specific examples of online customer attraction using webinars

From here, we will introduce specific examples of webinars that companies are actually holding.

1. 
   Otsuka Shokai Co., Ltd.
   

Otsuka Shokai Co., Ltd., which sells, develops, and maintains communication equipment and software, uses webinars to introduce the latest industry trends and new products. All public seminars are free to attend, but advance registration is required.

Reference: Otsuka Shokai Co., Ltd.
“Online Seminar”

1. 
   Mynavi Co., Ltd.
   

Mynavi Co., Ltd., which provides employment and career change information and introduces human resources, holds company information sessions, internship seminars, and corporate research courses through webinars. In addition to live streaming, past back issues are also available on-demand, so if you see a video that interests you, you can watch it over and over again.

Reference: Mynavi Co., Ltd.
“Mynavi 2022 Web Seminar”

1. 
   Rakuten, Inc.
   

Rakuten, Inc., which provides various services such as e-commerce, digital content, and communications, is holding a webinar on how to open and open an online shop on Rakuten Market. The courses are divided into those for beginners and those for experienced users, so users can choose courses according to their level of experience. Advance registration is required, but there is no participation fee.

Reference: Rakuten, Inc.
“Rakuten Market Online Shop Opening and Opening Online Seminar”

summary

◆Webinar is an online seminar, training, or lecture delivered over the Internet.

◆Compared to on-site seminars, webinars require almost no effort or cost to manage.

◆Methods of using webinars in companies include company information sessions, product and service information sessions, information dissemination to existing customers, employee study sessions, and shareholder meetings.

◆While it is difficult to hold events at venues due to the effects of the new coronavirus, many companies are using webinars to distribute their information.