There was a time when employee training consisted of watching a video on a VHS tape and reading a set of handouts or a manual. The information was often dense and outdated and employees typically felt like they learned more through direct experience. This approach to training can lead to burnout and bitterness because employees don’t feel prepared to do the job or valued enough to be trained properly.
Now, thanks to tremendous advances in technology, employers can offer innovative training solutions. The benefits of this shift are myriad, but most importantly, utilizing the most up-to-date technology to train employees can lead to an increase in productivity. Innovative training is often better and more thorough, and employees who feel properly trained are more likely to excel at their jobs. Why?
They’re More Engaged
Humans want to be engaged in interesting and enjoyable ways. You see this in people of all ages, from kids to adults. When they’re not engaged, people will lose interest fast, which means they aren’t learning or absorbing any of the material you’re trying to teach. The truth is that very few people probably watched those VHS training tapes or poured over those training manuals.
When you provide innovative solutions like guided work instruction software, you’re more likely to get employees willing to follow and learn from instructions. Digital information is typically easier to understand and offers opportunities to view 3D images they can manipulate on a screen. With modern technological training, employees will learn more, quickly, and can get to work to put what they’ve learned into practice.
They’re Better Equipped
Innovative training solutions also set employees up for success. It’s a terrible feeling to start work on day one worrying about failing. It’s more common than most people realize. A company may think they’ve trained a new team member, using outdated materials and maybe a few days with a disinterested trainer, only to find out the employee feels helpless on their first day. They feel thrown to the wolves.
Training solutions that include a knowledgeable, experienced trainer can help employees feel like they have all the tools they need to do their jobs. When you have someone passionate about their work teaching what they love, you’re more likely to see that passion spread as well. And that’s great because passionate employees are naturally more productive because they are eager to promote products and services.
They Take More Pride in Their Work
It can be difficult to keep slogging along in a company that seemingly refuses to step into the 21st century. Perhaps a staff member is hoping for a promotion, or a new employee starts out excited to get to work. Outdated, irrelevant training processes can quickly dampen those high spirits because it can feel like the company doesn’t care about staying modern and moving forward.
In contrast, when you show employees through innovative training solutions that your company is moving into the future, they are more likely to want to be a part of that. Modern online training software, knowledgeable trainers, and regular training updates give your employees something to be proud of, something to work with. Those employees will feel like they are contributing to a business that will continue to matter.
They Feel More Challenged
Just like with being engaged, people want to feel challenged. You’ve surely heard the stories of children in school who act out because they’re not challenged enough in the classroom. This same rule applies to workers. Employees who don’t feel pushed to learn more and excel at work will do just the opposite — they’ll silently quit. Quiet quitting is when people still come to work, but they don’t actually do the work.
Instead, you can keep your employees continually challenged with innovative training solutions. Classes, certifications, testing, conferences, and more that encourage growth and learning at work can help keep employees feeling like they’re growing in their jobs. The more employees feel like they’ve still got opportunities to improve and advance are going to want to work harder and smarter for your company.
They Feel Supported
Finally, by stepping into the future with your training solutions, you show your employees that your company is in the business of supporting its employees. A major complaint of staff members who work hard is feeling like no one has their back. They may turn to a supervisor for help only to be turned down or, worse, derided. This company culture can lead quickly to disengaged and unproductive workers.
When you create training programs that are modern, efficient, and employee-centric, you show your staff that you support them. Your trainers, your software, and your entire enrichment program should reflect what most successful companies today know — businesses are built around people. An empowered Human Resources department will keep training up-to-date and innovative for this reason above all.
In the end, the most productive employees are the happiest employees, and happiness at work comes largely from respect and empowerment. When you implement innovative training solutions, you offer your staff both of these elements. Modern, updated learning programs show your team that you care about their journey at work and that you trust them to get the job done.
Angela Spearman is a journalist at EzineMark who enjoys writing about the latest trending technology and business news.
