Monday, December 28, 2009
Remote Demos – Consider Using Two Computers
Consider hosting your Remote Demo sessions (e.g., using WebEx, GoToMeeting, Adobe Connect, etc.) on separate computer – not the one you are using for the demo. This can help with bugs, crashes, managing the meeting, etc. It also makes it safer when using IM between vendor participants and presenters (sales person, presales, etc.)!
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2 comments:
Along these lines -- if your demo is client/server in any but the most trivial sense -- use two computers!! As a long-time corporate buyer, I can't tell you how frustrating it is to watch a demo where you can't tell whose screen is whose ("Now I'm the salesperson". "Now I'm the customer."); where the demoer is apologizing for slowness because SQL Server, Exchange, and the app are all running on a single $500 laptop; and where, as the post itself notes, stuff is likely to interact and go wrong.
If I invite demoers in or take the time to visit them at, say, a tradeshow suite, I'm doing so because I think their software may have something to offer. I want your demo to go well. Stop shooting yourself in the foot... and wasting both our time.
I disagree with both comments. More computers equals more complexity. Here's what I do:
First, either find a way to get a computer that meets your needs, or raise it as an impediment. If you are in sales and can't run a demo effectively, then send a note to your VP (or equivalent) explaining how your computer made the product look horrible on a recent demo.
Second, use a second screen. Put your demo window in the secondary screen, not your normal workspace. This will ensure that IMs, meeting invites, etc. don't pop up in your current screen.
Basically, if you commonly do demos, then setting up a demo should be as easy as pushing a button (to prepare your system), getting a cup of coffee, and then connecting to the meeting. If something else is in the way, then remove the impediemnt because you are wasting time.
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