How To Bridge Performance Gaps With Employee Training Software
By definition, performance gaps are the distance between what your employees already know and what they still have to learn. The million-dollar question for all businesses is how do you bridge the gap with the resources you have on hand? If you are running a small business or an expanding one, you know that you do not have any time to waste. Your competition is aggressive, and your budget is limited. Fortunately, with the right employee training software, your organization will have the opportunity to increase profits and improve workplace efficiency.
1. Offer Risk-Free, Real-World Experience
Employee training software allows you to create simulations of real-world challenges. For instance, creative and interactive case studies that allow employees to experience the consequences of the choices even before they step into the workplace. Branching allows your employees to choose a decision path and find out where it leads. The outcomes usually cover each end of the spectrum, from negative repercussions to the most favorable rewards that employees can achieve with enough expertise. This helps to improve their online training strategies and enables them to make better decisions. This way, they know where they stand and which online training courses they may need to revisit.
2. Search For Performance Pain Points
Before your employee training software can fill any gaps in your work performance, you must find out where those gaps reside. Your LMS will allow you to develop eLearning assessments and find out where your efforts need to be focused. For instance, if your employees are having a tough time performing a certain task in the simulation, they may need to build related skills. The reports and data provided by the LMS allow you to detect the performance issues that hinder employee productivity. In addition, self-assessments allow employees to monitor their progress and create an online training plan that is custom-tailored to their needs.
3. Personalize Your Approach
Traditionally, training programs have printed learning materials, physical space, and on-site instructors. In these types of training programs, the needs of the employees are rarely considered. Online training allows you to personalize your online training activities, assessments, and resources. Every employee has the power to follow their goals, despite their backgrounds or job position. This means they can conquer personal gaps that affect their on-the-job performance. They have complete control over the amount of time they take to complete each online training course and when they participate. They also have the option of listening to the audio instead of reading notes. Thus, they’re able to select online training resources that cater to their learning preferences and form a more meaningful connection.
4. Assess Frequently
Typically, online training programs involve self-assessments and pre-assessments that allow you to disclose corporate learners’ comprehension levels. Pop quizzes provided by the employee training software allow your employees to gauge their proficiency. Once a performance gap is noted, it is easy to offer supplemental online training materials that will help them fill the gap. The quizzes also allow them to track their progress and train autonomously, thereby empowering them to take charge of their own professional growth and fulfill their true potential.
5. Offer Moment Of Need Support
One of the reasons there are performance gaps in the workplace is because employees do not have access to the right information at the right time. The truth is that even your best employees will have a shortage of information at some point due to the forgetting curve and the limits of human memory. While they may pass the eLearning assessments successfully, they may forget some of the things they have learned in training. Employee training software allows them to have access to the information they need immediately.
6. Incorporate Social Learning Opportunities
If your company has remote employees, they do not have the same opportunities to mingle with other employees and instructors. However, online training courses allow employees to interact with each other and collaborate. Thereby, making better decisions in the workplace thanks to the shared experience of their peers. Even on a global scale, employees have the opportunities to personalize online training and benefit from remote knowledge sharing.
7. Make The Most Of LMS Metrics
Many employee training software solutions feature robust reporting and analytics. As such, you’re able to gather and evaluate large quantities of user data in one centralized location. Namely, how employees perform online training activities and assessments, then view data visualizations that help you identify patterns. You can also use this data to sort the top performers from those who are struggling. Then pair them up in your online mentorship program so that everyone gets the individual support they require.
8. Use Simulations And Branching Scenarios To Evaluate On-The-Job Performance
Simulations and branching scenarios are also ideal as quantitative evaluation tools. You can see how employees perform in the workplace without diminishing customer service scores or sales. For example, the simulation allows employees to walk through every step of a sales transaction, as well as ensure that the customer is happy with their purchase. Include as much realism as possible to mimic real-world emotions and settings. Thus, employees are more likely to provide honest responses and reactions, given that they are fully immersed.
Employee training software can help you bridge the gaps and bring your staff up to speed. The trick is knowing how to use the tool effectively and personalize the online training experience so that everyone has the chance to focus on their individual goals and areas for improvement.
Download our eBook Take L&D To The Next Level: Your Guide To Bridging Gaps And Boosting Profits With Employee Training Software to discover how to conduct a training needs analysis before you invest in new employee training software. We’ll also share the secrets to select the best software and common implementation challenges to avoid, in addition to the top features and functions that all employee training software should have.
