How To Emphasize The Real World Value Of Online Training
Your employees are pressed for time, dealing with work challenges, and are probably already resistant to online training, as a whole, especially those that have endured boring or tedious online training courses in the past. Fitting online training into their already busy schedules is no easy feat. But emphasizing the practical applications and benefits has the power to change all that. If they know what’s in for them, there’s a high likelihood that they’ll actively participate and remember the key takeaways. Below are 8 creative ways to stress the real world value of online training.
1. Interactive Infographics
Add infographics that give employees a detailed overview of the real world benefits and applications of the online training course. For example, highlight a breakdown of how they can use the knowledge to increase sales, improve productivity, and avoid common on-the-job mistakes. Include a brief explanation for each, as well as links to supplemental online training resources they can use to improve comprehension. For instance, the “increase sales” section might include online training activities or modules within the online training course that focus on negotiation skills or product knowledge.
2. Skill-Based Simulations
One of the most effective ways to show corporate learners how online training can benefit them in real life is to put their skills into action. Develop simulations that allow employees to complete tasks and overcome common challenges using all the resources at their disposal. For example, they must utilize their customer service and problem-solving skills to handle a customer complaint, or their newly acquired persuasion skills to land a sale and calm the consumer’s apprehensions.
3. Personal Anecdotes
Employees are more likely to grasp the real world value of online training if they know it has benefited you, personally. Include anecdotes and stories that showcase how the information or skills aided you throughout your career. It may be something as simple as using your product knowledge to find the perfect item for a customer. Include details about how you used spec sheets, infographics, and online training tutorials to expand your knowledge, as well as how your hard efforts were rewarded. For instance, you gained a repeat customer who ended up referring several of their friends. Just make certain not to make it too personal, as this might make things a bit uncomfortable.
4. Practical Serious Games
Serious games stress the real world value of online training while entertaining your corporate learners and helping them connect with the online training content on a deeper level. They advance levels, unlock rewards, and meet interesting characters that emphasize practical applications and reinforce favorable behaviors. For example, to reach the next level employees must apply what they’ve learned to successfully complete a product return. This requires POS experience and product knowledge, which are both essential for their daily work responsibilities.
5. Cartoon Demo Videos
Instead of taking the traditional production approach, substitute cartoons for live actors to up the engagement factor. This also allows you to add a touch of humor to your online training content while still stressing the real world applications and benefits. For instance, the animated demo video shows employees not only how to perform the task, but what comes after, such as the customer leaving the store satisfied and bringing in referrals. It can even work in compliance online training. For example, the cartoon cleans up a spill and prevents an accident in the workplace, which broadens the company’s profit margin and improves employee productivity, since everyone can focus on their job instead of filling in for an injured co-worker.
6. Engaging Case Studies
Sometimes the best way to emphasize the real world value of online training is to share case studies that drive the point home. These also help employees relate to the online training content and see how it translates in their own lives. For example, the case study covers a COI compliance issue that your sales team might face during a client meeting or sales call. It reveals the repercussions of accepting a bribe and explains the many forms of bribery they should be aware of. As a result, your employees are better equipped to handle tricky situations in the real world without offending loyal customers.
7. Problem-Solving Branching Scenarios
Demonstrating the real value of problem-solving skills can be challenging. This skill set covers a broad range of secondary skills that span every department and position. However, branching scenarios allow you to illustrate how problem-solving applies to their specific job duties, as well as how it can improve their productivity and teamwork abilities. Employees must choose the best decision-making path, in hopes of achieving the most favorable outcome. This helps them understand how their choices and actions impact their professional lives and the lives of those around them.
8. Learner-Led Live Events
Corporate learners share the knowledge they’ve acquired and how it’s going to apply in real world environments, allowing their peers to see things from a fresh point of view and put it into different contexts. For example, they share how they use their newfound communication skills to identify customer needs, as well as avoid work-related conflicts. Invite corporate learners to host their own live events where they can interact directly with peers and field questions. Then sum it up with a recap of how the topic ties into their job duties.
These 8 tips can help you stress the real world value of online training, therefore improving online training effectiveness and ROI by increasing employee participation. Just bear in mind, it’s crucial to personalize the online training process and tap into the power of intrinsic motivation. You need to identify your corporate learners’ driving factors in order to pinpoint which benefits they’re looking for, as well as how they’ll use their newfound knowledge and skills in the workplace.
One of the most effective ways to facilitate real world application is to offer practical examples. Read the article 7 Tips For Using Real World Examples In eLearning to discover the most exciting tips for using real world case studies, stories, and examples in your eLearning course.
About The Author
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Christopher Pappas is the Founder of The eLearning Industry’s Network, which is the largest online community of professionals involved in the eLearning Industry. Christopher holds an MBA, and an MEd (Learning Design) from BGSU.
eLearning Blogger | EduTechpreneur | eLearning Analyst | Speaker | Social Media Addict |
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