Employee training has come a long way in the last decade. We have more options and technology to improve the experience for all involved.
That’s great news, but it can also be overwhelming. Each new year brings new trends and innovations. Businesses who want to stay on the cutting edge may struggle to keep up. This year, there are several practical virtual training strategies that companies are using to increase revenue and create teams of subject matter experts.
If you don’t have one already, now is the time to implement a solid LMS. Learning management systems are filled with features that make many of these strategies easier to implement. They can also track progress and help you decide if a strategy is a good fit for you.
As 2021 gets going, make sure your training program is ready to meet the demands of your industry this year. Which of these strategies could help your team be successful?
Start with a Formal Training Program That Includes Goals
Some businesses take the ad-hoc approach to employee training. They provide courses or materials here and there as needed. While this may help team members get through the day, it isn’t a good strategy for long-term success.
If you want your business to grow, you need to nurture your team. That begins with a formal training program. Everything should be outlined with clear goals, a review process, necessary training tools, and rewards for achievements.
A structured program will ensure that each person in your organization is presented with the same basic material. It maintains consistency and quality, which gives each new hire the same opportunity to thrive as those that come before or after them.
An Effective Training Program Needs Management Support
If you want your training program to pay off, then you need management support. Managers and supervisors should be on board. It will be their job to champion your efforts and encourage employees to get the most out of time spent in training.
When you present mandatory training and management is in agreement, then the program will become ingrained in your corporate culture. If management is against changes in the program, this could significantly hinder progress and reduce effectiveness.
Your executive team should be the ones delivering courses. Doing so shows that they are being proactive and supportive. It also indicates that they are committed to training and inspires the staff under them to do the same.
Getting management support should be among the first virtual learning strategies that you implement.
Identify Skill Gaps and Find Ways to Fill Them ASAP
Skill gaps cost businesses thousands of dollars each year. That’s why you should try to fill them as quickly as you can. One of the most cost-effective ways to do that is internally. Hiring is expensive and consumes time and resources. You may already have a lot of potential to pull from within your existing team.
Management is a good place to start to find out if skill gaps exist. When you see areas that are lacking, you should begin building training courses focused on those topics or job roles.
It’s also beneficial to have career paths set forth to help employees progress in their roles and fill those skill gaps. These paths should include classes and other objectives needed for an employee to move to a new position or earn a promotion.
Career paths will guide employees to the courses needed to fill skill gaps. Expanding your training program is also a good way to attract top talent.
Make Sure Your Virtual Training is Varied
Each person is unique, with a different approach to learning. There are many methods available that can help different learner types be successful. Your training program should include a varied collection of materials and formats to address these needs.
Many people have trouble remembering information when it was shared in a lengthy lecture. They may be more visually oriented and do better with an interactive video or slideshow. Others may prefer hands-on training or simulations.
A varied approach is an excellent strategy that will allow you to tap into the strengths of individuals. Many training courses use a combination of lectures, videos, group discussions, games, assessments, and on-the-job training.
You should find an LMS that offers a variety of tools to expand your resources. Some include diverse course authoring features that let you incorporate audio, video, and text as well as interactive elements. More advanced platforms may also include simulations or even support for augmented or virtual reality.
Encourage Ongoing Talent Development
Your virtual training strategies should extend beyond the initial courses a worker takes when they join your organization. Businesses that thrive must be adaptable, which means having a team that’s constantly learning.
Ongoing talent development should be a part of your culture. To do that, you will need to have courses available that cover all aspects of your business. An ambitious team member should have access to classes and materials that let them further their skills in their job role or work towards another role.
You can incentivize participation through gamification, promotions, or other rewards. Employees who have opportunities to better themselves are far more likely to stay, which improves your worker retention rates and reduces hiring costs.
eLearning is a great solution because it’s flexible, so employees can complete courses from anywhere at any time. This is necessary when someone already has a full-time job and may need to train during off-hours.
If you want to implement these or other virtual learning strategies, then you need a good LMS to provide the backbone of your training program. Visit LMS.org to read LMS reviews and find the best solution for your business.
