Does your current training program involve a Policies and Procedures Manual that’s thicker than a brick? Or perhaps a PowerPoint presentation with tons of text-heavy slides? Do “employee onboarding” and “compliance training” seem like code words for punishment?
If so, it’s probably been on your radar for a while that your training materials need a makeover. And now, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, not only does your training content need to be updated it also needs to be online, ASAP.
Feeling overwhelmed? Rest assured you’re not alone. Even companies that were on top of their training game pre-pandemic have had to scramble to adapt to the new normal – not to mention the stress of so much change and uncertainty all at once.
In some ways, there’s never been a better time to revamp your learning and development activities. The disruption brought about by the pandemic is actually an excellent opportunity to ditch outdated, ineffective training materials and start fresh.
Ready to transform your employee training program? No matter your industry or company size, here are some tips for getting started.
Conduct a Training Needs Assessment
The first step is to figure out what scenarios you actually need training for, how that training will be implemented, and how it all fits in with your organization’s strategic goals. Make sure to ask these 5 Critical Questions for a Training Needs Assessment as part of your process.
Channel Your Inner Editor
Less is definitely more when it comes to digesting and retaining information. Let go of any attachment to the materials (this can be hard if you’re the one who developed them!) and get rid of superfluous information and wordiness. The goal is to present your content as clearly and concisely as possible.
Harness the Power of Visuals
Once you’re done editing, leverage the impact of your training by incorporating visuals. Studies show that when information is presented exclusively as words, people remember about 10% after three days; add a relevant image, and retention goes up to 65%. Additionally, visuals help us process information faster and are unbeatable in their ability to present content efficiently (worth 1,000 words, right?). Depending on your training needs and format, you might opt for infographics, charts, photos and/or videos.
Rework Your Content for Online Learning
Thanks to the pandemic, the trend toward virtual training has accelerated at warp speed. It’s important to understand, however, that simply recording an in-person training and publishing it online isn’t a very effective (or engaging!) strategy. To generate real results, online trainings should be designed from the ground up and tailored to the learning environment. For more guidance, check out “What to Consider When Designing an Online Training,” then take a deep dive into these excellent tips on how to convert traditional materials into online training resources.
Update Your Top Training Priorities First
No matter the scope of your project, get your most critical training content updated and launched first, then move onto the next phase. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and realistically it may take some time to overhaul all of your materials. Create an action plan, and move forward in manageable chunks.
Look for External Support
Even with a clear way forward, sometimes the best strategy is to get outside support. Whether you need help creating infographics and other visual solutions, transforming training manuals into interactive digital content, or designing a customized learning and development program, we’re here for you.
Click here to reach out to Spin team of instructional designers and let us know how we can support your training needs.
