The evolution of training methods have evolved considerably in the digital age. Not so long ago, classroom sessions and a job manual were considered a substantial training program. After that, we made way for the more personal and customizable learning management systems (LMS). Today, the most effective training programs are rooting in technology based training.
Now, in our state of rapid digital transformation, we are beginning to see the need for even more robust training methods.
According to Harvard Business Review, when new hires use traditional classroom training methods, they need at least 8-12 months to become fully productive. A year is a long time to invest in one employee. We lose valuable time if we stick to this method of classroom training.
Steep learning curves for complex processes make it even harder. Classroom sessions are not the most efficient way to teach a difficult process. The classroom method poses difficulty for training managers to track success once it is applied outside the classroom. Data readily available for technology based training is less accessible for in-person sessions. This makes adjustments difficult and subjective.
It is time to take a step back and assess what is truly valuable for employee proficiency and training efficiency in the digital workplace.
Today’s Employees are Diverse
They live and breathe technology daily, whether that is on their smartphones at home or their laptops and devices at the office. They are used to being exposed to diverse technologies and having instant and digestible information at their fingertips.
That said, this technical aptitude only goes so far, and does not apply to all. Some people actively seek out new technologies while others need a little push.
So, might be necessary to hold an hour-long training session on a new CRM feature. But, that is not enough for the digital age employee. Employees need contextual learning and memory aids to be successful.
The Cloud is Partially Responsible
The nature of the cloud is one of constant updates. Technology is constantly improving and updating to meet industry standards and employee needs. These updates occur automatically as no IT maintenance is needed with cloud based platforms.
Even once an employees has mastered a system, they must still stay on top of all the eventual the changes. It is also important to think about the regulation standards that apply to technology. Employees are expected to understand how these changes affect the tasks they are completing. Each new software release requires additional training.
Empower the Productive Employee with Technology Based Training
New methods of training have risen to account for this shift in the digital workplace. We now train to empower, more than to teach. Training does not have to occur only in a classroom nor in an intimidatingly long manual. Rather, guidance is provided contextually within the application or software. This results in a more holistic and productive approach to teach and reinforce new methods.
WalkMe’s Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) is an invaluable tool for contextual training. Its ability to work cross-application makes it a practical addition to a multi-level training program that has employees learning various processes at once.
Beyond the seamless user interaction, WalkMe also provides an insights feature that tracks how the user completes tasks. This knowledge is helpful in assessing the success of your training program. Using this smart analytics platforms helps you gauge what is working and what can be improved upon in real time.
Training is facing a rapid transformation. By providing contextual technology based training and gathering insights on its usage, employees can efficiently stay up to date on their training and be empowered and productive members of the workplace.
