How To Develop Just-In-Time Online Training For Your Logistics Department
We live in an age of instant gratification. We get impatient with microwaves, or websites that take three seconds to load. This ‘rushed’ feeling isn’t good or bad, it just is. The trick is to tap into it and harness it for good. Just-in-time online training is one such technique. It gives your team access to information in their moment of need. These on-demand training resources are purposely designed to be easily digestible. They need to be clear and simple to consume, ideally at a glance. That may be all the time your employee has to address workplace challenges and improve productivity. Especially busy employees who are charged with planning routes, scheduling deliveries, and/or managing inventory. Here are 7 tips to develop effective Just-In-Time online training for your logistics department.
7 Secrets To Create Just-In-Time Training For Your Logistics Team
1. Make Just-In-Time Online Training A Team Effort
The process of developing Just-In-Time online training materials begins in the mind. Your organization needs to acquire an interest in ongoing education. If you have a learning culture, everyone will invest in study materials. You could actually crowdsource your content. Invite colleagues to create and upload tutorials they found helpful. It doesn’t have to be complex. It could be a simple presentation on freight forwarding protocols. Or a podcast on how to properly handle materials that they record on their smartphone. You want your whole team to buy into JIT, but from a teaching and learning perspective.
2. Get Feedback To Gauge Gaps
Team members ‘on the ground’ have a clearer vision of their training needs. They know where the gaps are and have an acute awareness of ‘things they wish they knew about the job.’ Even if they’re unwilling or unable to build training materials on the office LMS, they’re aware of knowledge rifts. Find out from newbies what data they require. Check in with your veterans. They can share nuggets on things they wish they had been told. Hindsight gives them a sharper view of what new hires do and don't need to know. For example, conduct a survey to find out what your delivery team needs to expedite the process and maximize efficiency. Such as tutorials on how to use the navigation software. Or demos on how to package items without racking up on-the-job accidents.
3. Make It Responsive
Touchscreens are now a standard feature on smartphones and other connected devices. They have a low learning ramp, even for the more technophobic among us. They can also be gratifying because they respond effortlessly, even through gloves. The content itself should be light and fast-loading. Employees will probably access it during a time crunch. They can’t afford to wait five minutes for it to display. Help them find the data they need in seconds, through optimized design and intuitive search options.
4. Center On Practical Application
The long-term goal is to develop a digital reference library. It should be consistently reviewed and upgraded, removing dated material and eliminating redundancies. Just-In-Time online training materials are rarely theoretical. They can be jargon definitions, discount policies, or on-the-spot tutorials. Keep it contextual and action-oriented. Skip the backstory and go straight into action points and troubleshooting tips. For example, how to deal with a transportation backlog or warehouse emergency.
5. Keep Just-In-Time Online Training Short And Sweet
Because of pressure and time constraints, you want something that can be absorbed in minutes. It isn’t just about the length of the material. Just because you can read a passage in minutes doesn’t mean it has sunk in. And a 30-second video could take hours to parse if it’s too complex. You don’t necessarily have to dumb it down, you just have to simplify it for quicker comprehension. Infographics are a good choice. Their format is high in visuals, low on text, and it usually fits on a single page. It’s concise, memorable, and fun.
6. Boost Engagement With Diverse Delivery Formats
It’s an accepted fact that we have different ways of learning. Some of us want clear, written instructions with diagrams and labeled parts. Others would rather watch or listen to a step-by-step guide. Still, others prefer to dive right in and fumble their way through. Cater to all these learning segments. Every piece of content should be presented in multiple formats. It must also accommodate different moments of need and job requirements. Short videos, audio clips, eBooks, Virtual Reality simulations, put it all in there. And test thoroughly to be sure content can be accessed from multiple phone brands, devices, and workstations.
7. Focus On Real-World Performance And Skills
Just-In-Time online training for your logistics department should include their diverse skill set and job-related tasks. It’s a broad umbrella, ranging from warehouse operations and shipments to inventory and storage logistics. Your JIT training must offer them real-world activities that center on daily tasks, so they can identify areas for improvement. As well as give them the opportunity to apply fundamental skills in context. For example, a simulation that helps your employees negotiate with shipping companies to arrange the best price. Or a serious game that helps them fine-tune their organization and space management skills in the warehouse to increase efficiency.
Conclusion
Just-In-Time online training can be a real lifesaver during office emergencies. It allows your team to pull up the exact knowledge they need to handle a scenario. From a warehouse catastrophe to a minor issue with the transportation schedule. Build a culture of learning within your organization. Ask your staff what reference topics they require. Ensure the process is smooth, quick, and low in bandwidth usage. Keep the lessons brief, concise, direct, and task-based. Most importantly, see that your resources are compatible with all your employees’ reference devices.
Do your employees require on-the-spot resources to tackle tough tasks? Read the article 4 Common Misconceptions About Just-In-Time Online Training to debunk myths and uncover the JIT truth.
