You’ve heard the saying that in life, your glass is either half-full or half-empty. Due to the pandemic, many small businesses would probably say their business glass is mostly empty. You have encountered unbelievable circumstances, from losing revenue and employees due to the shutdown to changing sales models and promotion tactics because customers prefer to shop from the safety of their homes.
But as a small business, it’s possible to keep your glass
mostly full by focusing on training employees to become experts in different areas of the company. Expanding your employees’ knowledge and skills will help you be poised to take advantage of new business opportunities. So essentially, online employee training is an investment in the company’s future.
Review
B
efore developing a training program, you need to know the skills and knowledge your employees possess. Start by creating a chart of each employees’ current skills and knowledge areas. Look at work schedules and current projects to determine how team members’ abilities complement each other. Next, look at your customers’ needs for business sales. Examine whether the employees who support them have the skills and knowledge needed to provide the best experiences. If not, make a list of topics for training modules and ideas to help workers develop the necessary skills.
Pulse survey
One of the best ways to keep employees engaged is to ask
for their feedback about their job, employee-management relationships, or your business products. Often employees have insights and ideas that could improve your business.
- It’s easy to gather employees’ feedback using an online survey tool. Keep the survey short, asking a few specific questions using simple words. When inviting employees to participate in the survey, explain that it’s a confidential pulse to learn what they’re thinking. Explain how you’ll use their feedback, such as to improve their work environment, strengthen project communication, or enhance connections with customers.
Compile the results and share an overview of the comments in an online training module.
Growth
Often people leave an employer because they feel stuck in a dead-end job without growth opportunities. Regularly ask employees for a list of things they’d like to learn about or skills they’d like to develop for their job. Also, ask about job cross-training interests in your business. You may find employees who work in one area have the skills to excel in another position. While you can’t make instant changes, you can look for ways these employees can shadow another team member or help out on a project in a different business area. If it’s impossible to take these actions, make a list of employees you want to consider for future growth opportunities.
Prepare
Now it’s time to create your employee training plan. Review
your notes and make a list of the skills and knowledge you want employees to develop now and for upcoming business projects and new product sales.
Start working on online training module topics. One topic should explain what employees can do to take advantage of job growth opportunities. Provide a step-by-step overview of the knowledge and skills needed for each position or project. (For example, watching one of your new training modules on improving communication skills.)
Create
With the right online training software, it’s easy to create fun and exciting modules. Employees enjoy watching entertaining videos. It’s easier to get them interested in complete online training and to keep them engaged while they watch.
Make the content relevant to your business. Don’t stress about making the videos and training modules by yourself. Once you develop a content script for each, ask employees to help you create fun videos. Many will jump at the chance
to help out and show their creative side.
Since employees want authentic training, make sure training information and videos are natural and not stiff. Depending on employers’ acting skills, the training modules could get a few laughs.
Ready, set, go
Training employees takes time. But, investing in developing online training programs is one of the best ways to keep your business glass full and ready for new opportunities.
There are many online training software systems. Review this information to help you find the right option.
