If you own or work at a small nonprofit business, you know the satisfying experience of personally serving customers. But you also know the frustration of limited training resources for workers to develop new knowledge and critical skills to help the business.
Small nonprofits fill a marketing niche, providing special services or products. Many are run by a combination of paid employees and volunteers. And since workers often operate independently, continuous training is needed to ensure everyone has the same information and can provide consistent customer experiences. Individual training can take a lot of time. But if business owners use online training software, they can create modules that employees and volunteers can watch at their convenience on any digital device.
Training motivates employees
Over the years, I’ve worked for many small nonprofit businesses. The job could be demanding, but it was fun to work with other team members and volunteers to help the company succeed and also serve customers. We each had specific tasks for which we were responsible. While we liked the autonomy of the job, we noticed that we didn’t stay current with business practices that other larger nonprofits followed. We tried to teach ourselves the missing knowledge and skills but were not always successful. The owner was busy running the business, so he (she) didn’t have a lot of time to teach us what we wanted to know. And budgets were tight for special training programs.
But every once in a while, the boss was able to find a few dollars to send one (or two) of us to a training program. We were excited and felt as though we were living a rhyme from Dr. Seuss’ book, “Oh the Places You’ll Go”:
“You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights. 
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.”
The training didn’t give us everything we needed, and we certainly weren’t the best of the best. But we returned to work inspired. We shared our new knowledge and skills with others, and together we tried to improve on our work and better serve customers.
That’s the beauty of training. It can motivate workers to pursue new levels of excellence.
Trained employees require less attention
Nonprofit employees and volunteers are expected to work independently within a team framework. Each one has specific responsibilities critical to the success of the business.
Using online training software, nonprofits can provide the coaching and teaching employees need. The right software should be easy to use, so business owners can create entertaining modules using video, audio, charts, and photos. Employers can learn deep background on many aspects of the business, such as products and services, job duties, and competitors. Owners also can provide directions on handling sales and customer relationships. These modules can give employees the training they need to work independently without constant direction from business owners.
Training connects employees
Nonprofit employees and volunteers who participate in online training programs feel empowered to do their jobs. Since they have the same knowledge, they can work together more effectively on projects. It’s especially is helpful for employees who work in the field or from different office locations. And the business profits from the consistency of operations, so customers are happier with the service.
Online training conserves budgets
Small business owners I’ve worked for frequently lamented that they wish they could do more for their employees. They’d love to provide the latest equipment and learning experiences. Online training software enables owners to be creative in providing the training employees need. In the process, they conserve their finances for product and customer growth, instead of spending it on expensive training programs that may or may not provide the knowledge or skills that support the business.
Training offers unlimited options
Online training provides endless opportunities for nonprofits to teach, coach and train 
employees and volunteers new skills and knowledge. It’s an option that younger employees especially are interested in. They want to work for businesses that invest in them by providing training that helps them grow personally and professionally. When they receive learning perks, they tend to stay longer on the job.
With the right software, employers can track employees completion of training modules. The information can be recorded in workers’ employment records and listed in compliance files to document completed tasks required of regulatory organizations.
Discover more ways online training software benefits businesses.
