While barriers to training adoption have existed for a long time, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced an entirely new set of challenges. Companies need to start digitizing their approach to learning in a way designed for the expectations of a changing workforce. Here are a few considerations to do this effectively, shares, Ramesh Ramani, co-founder and CEO, ExpertusONE.
The pandemic has presented significant challenges for many companies, but the need to provide training resources on more digital formats has emerged as a top concern.
Barriers to training adoption are nothing new, but as the world has gone remote, these barriers became ever more apparent. They can cause massive gaps in training as well as hinder employees’ productivity. For companies to succeed in maintaining a highly productive and efficient workforce, they need to make more investments in digital platforms as a channel for learning & development.
When we think about training in a post-pandemic world, one thing is abundantly clear — it is imperative for companies to integrate comprehensive digital learning programs into their 2021 business plan. And although Q1 of the new year is almost over, it is not too late to find innovative solutions to the problems facing our new way of life.
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What Digital Learning Needs To Be Successful
Online education and learning platforms are only effective if they can seamlessly integrate into existing employee workflows. To do this effectively, there are a few key things every digital learning model should include. Based on our experience implementing digital learning management systems for companies with hundreds of thousands of employees around the country, below are our top six recommendations.
- Keep it contextual — Personalized training and resources must be accessible inside the applications learners already work in. Seamlessly integrating new platforms into existing employee workflow creates a smoother transition and a better learning experience. Some companies are going about this by making their training programs available on the channels employees use most in their daily workflows. While switching between email, social media, business communication apps (such as Slack), and CRM platforms can often decrease productivity, the opposite can happen when these tools become their access points for learning.
- Make it mobile-first — Training that is just offered over a desktop to supplement or temporarily replace in-person instruction will not be accepted by employees in the future. And it should not be. In this digital age, we are always on the go. Even if we are staying home, we are juggling multiple priorities and tasks on a minute-by-minute basis. Work-life balance has become work-life integration in our new economy. To best benefit your employees, digital learning platforms must be designed for smartphones, not just desktops.
- Use cloud-enabled technology — Overhead costs and security risks can quickly get out of control without proper system management. Cloud-enabled technology, on the other hand, helps you rest assured that your data and information are stored securely. The tremendous benefits and growth potential of cloud-enabled technology mean fewer limits for your company and the ability to store more data, giving you an advantage when it comes to storage and security.
- Move towards automation — Operational workflows that are mostly manual result in a loss of agility. With increasingly zero-touch workflow, automations will save you time and increase productivity. Automations in technology are becoming increasingly expected over time. Employees do not want to go through training that is clunky, time-consuming, and inefficient. Automation streamlines the learning process, making it significantly easier for people to absorb and retain information without getting distracted by unnecessary hurdles.
- Become predictive — We have all become accustomed to some level of predictive text, whether it is when we are filling out payment information online or typing in a word document. Why not carry the ease of predictive technology into your learning processes? Data-driven and preference-based recommendations help programming feel customized to the individual. This level of customization and automation helps them feel more engaged and comfortable, bringing a sense of ease. With access to so many data points, it is worth going the extra step to make your LMS predictive for the user, lessening resistance to the process.
- Be omnipresent — We now live in a world where technology makes communication ubiquitous. Companies who want to succeed will embrace every opportunity to meet their employees where they are and give them the resources they need on the platforms they use the most. Be available wherever and whenever the learner needs it. It is imperative that learning platforms such as this become relatively ubiquitous and easily integrate with enterprise systems (HRIS, CRM, SSO, ERP, and more).
Using a digital LMS can help access these necessary features. Innovative tools such as dynamic shareable links and embeddable widgets help personalize training in the areas learners need it most. Access is seamless, with no time wasted searching for the information required.
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Embracing Innovation
While 2020 exposed the shortfalls in digital learning, 2021 will be the year companies make permanent changes in how they offer training. With additional investments that make training flexible and more easily accessible, the way that employees experience learning in the workplace will look very different 12 months from now. And that is a good thing for companies everywhere.
How can your company get ahead of the game? Set yourself apart from the rest by becoming an early adopter of this emerging technology. A comprehensive training and development program for your employees will only set you up for success in the future. And now, more than ever, it is vital to consider how companies can adapt to our new normal.