Integrating Social Learning Into Compliance Online Training
Compliance training used to be on-par with a root canal. In fact, some staffers might prefer the latter. However, modern learning technologies can change all that. Employees can collaborate with peers from afar and participate in interactive online training experiences, as well as tie all those theories and concepts to real-world applications. No more boring lectures followed by certification exams. Social learning gives you the opportunity to mitigate risks and foster knowledge sharing across your organization. Let’s look at some prime social learning examples you can add to your compliance online training course without breaking the bank.
1. Peer Mentoring Sessions
Peer mentoring is a more personal way to address compliance issues. Employees work together to bridge gaps and improve job performance. The mentor offers their unique expertise and helps the mentee develop favorable habits, and may as well provide real-world examples of policies and rules they have factored into their work roles. For instance, they encountered a COI conundrum last month during a client meeting. How did they resolve the problem and what did they learn from the experience?
2. Case Studies
Develop compliance online training case studies that help employees connect theories and rules to practical applications. Include important facts and stats to emphasize the importance of protocols and what happens when breaches occur. Real-world examples and personal anecdotes are other valuable additions to your social learning strategy, as they evoke emotion and let employees explore different perspectives of the same compliance training topic. Plus, they make dull compliance subject matter more engaging and relevant.
3. Video Demos
I’m not referring to those ever-popular safety training videos we all know and love. You know, the ones with outdated hairstyles and overacting. Social learning video demos are interactive and immersive. They give employees a realistic example to follow and map out every step of the task. Risky processes utilize animation to show them how it’s done and avoid common pitfalls. You can even invite employees to reenact less complicated compliance tasks to facilitate knowledge sharing and reduce expenses.
4. Live Events
One of the most overlooked social learning delivery methods is video conferencing. In this case, live events that feature your in-house talent and their insider know-how. Invite internal experts who can teach others about compliance issues and workplace challenges. Encourage them to share personal experiences with the team and field questions, or even demo on how to apply skills to mitigate risks and avoid penalties. Everyone has their own way of approaching the problem. Live events give employees the opportunity to offer their insights and help others identify areas for improvement.
5. Serious Games
Another unconventional social learning example is serious games that reinforce favorable behaviors and adjust bad habits. Or at least, encourage employees to reflect on their performance and reevaluate their assumptions. For instance, the game involves a tricky customer who isn’t pleased by any solution the staffer suggests. So, they have to get creative and use all their interpersonal skills and company policy knowledge to achieve the best outcome. Along the way, the employee training participant realizes their communication skills are lacking or that they need to bridge compliance knowledge gaps. That said, it’s still entertaining enough for them to endure the self-evaluation process and maintain the motivation.
6. Task Simulations
Compliance online training is usually best in small spurts. Aside from that, it involves learning by doing. Employees must be able to step into the action and see how it’s done from a firsthand perspective. Instead of just reading about policies and how they tie into their job roles employee training participants have the ability to immerse themselves in compliance challenges and gain firsthand experience. They can identify personal flaws that may otherwise result in violations or put their lives in danger, as in the case of safety training. The key to successful social learning task simulations is feedback. Recap their strengths, flaws, and how to improve proficiency using the JIT library. For example, they should participate in the new certification course to learn more about the COI rules or company dress code.
7. Social Media Groups
Social learning is not the same as social media. However, the latter is a valuable resource in online training. Launch a closed group where employees can share ideas and not have to worry about being judged. Everyone is there to spread knowledge and mitigate compliance risks. Post daily prompts or questions to focus on specific compliance issues that hinder on-the-job performance. Such as the new regulations customer service employees need to know about or tasks that everyone seems to struggle with. These prompts also encourage personal reflection. Group members evaluate how the topic relates to their daily work responsibilities and if their habits align with company policy. The platform also gives them a place to bring up important compliance issues that require company-wide attention. For instance, a newly updated rule that doesn’t translate well in the real world.
The wonderful thing about social learning is that it’s versatile. You can personalize your approach to bridge gaps and make the most of internal expertise. However, these social learning examples are a great starting point. A way to gradually integrate collaboration and team building into your strategy. Experienced employees can set the example while live events and social media groups give everyone the opportunity to interact and express their ideas. Just make certain you set some guidelines to keep the conversation on track and ensure everyone has a voice, instead of letting outspoken team members overshadow those who have valid points to make and insights to share.
Wondering what social learning is and how you can implement it in the workplace to motivate employees, facilitate knowledge sharing and talent development? Download our eBook Social Learning In The Workplace: How To Cultivate A Collaborative Online Training Culture and get to expose all the common myths around social learning!