Whether
you’re in a corporate environment or own your own expanding business, figuring
out the simple but effective ways to train your staff on technology and its
upgrades can make or break your company or business.
Unfortunately,
many corporate professionals still believe that when they received their
diploma at school, their education was complete. How far from the truth this
can be because learning is a never ending process and the only true constant in
this world is change. Because of the advances in technology, particularly with
business related ones, staying current is crucial. A business depends on its
employees remaining up to date with technology to stay ahead or at least keep
pace.
The difficulty
lies in continually ensuring that your team is well trained on the technology,
devices, and software they’re using, because:
- Old technology can hamper team members’ work and cost business countless hours of productivity.
- Outdated software is a large security threat. Your system is only as strong as the weakest link in your chain.
- Appearing uninformed about new devices or software may discourage potential clients and customers.
Know
when to train
Say,
for instance, that you choose to change from desktop computers to tablets.
While Sam may be familiar with the mobile device, James may not be. Don’t
assume that all employees will grasp a new system immediately. If each
individual doesn’t fully understand how to use the technology, even if it’s just
an upgrade to a platform your business is already using, you may run the risk
of depleted productivity and morale.
Start with the team leaders
As you prepare to launch new software or any technology that
affects your employees, consider training a select group of members first. Once
they’ve been trained, they can coach their respective teams. Training the
leaders first is an efficient technique for passing on information, as well as
a great way to encourage collaboration. It also prevents a solitary instructor
from becoming overwhelmed with requests and questions.
Try
online training
Many small
businesses actually exist exclusively online, with team members in different
continents, countries, or states. For such a business, in-person training would
be wildly expensive and time-consuming. Online coaching is a powerful
alternative. Aside from their easy accessibility, online training sites can offer
asynchronous timing. Freeing your staff from fixed timelines can allow team
members in varied locations around the country or around the world to each
learn at their own pace.
Allow employees
to experiment with the new tools and software
Most of us take new cars for test drives before we buy them. So why not let your team members experiment with new software or technology before using it in full for the business? If you’re rolling out a new device or program, allot your staff a week to practice with the new tool and solidify their lessons. Ensure that a well-trained team member is handy to answer the questions that will naturally arise.
