A recent study discovered that communication barriers cost companies an average of $26,041 in productivity losses per employee per year. Multiply that dollar amount by the number of employees at a large company, and you can see how ineffective communication is bottom-line bad for business.
One method through which to improve communication processes is through training initiatives. Unfortunately, many learning management systems (LMS for short)—especially older platforms—aren’t set up to effectively foster communication among the various parties involved in LMS training. Luckily, solutions are available that can overcome this shortcoming. Here are some ways how an LMS training extender optimizes team communication:
Communication Is Attached Directly to Content
Consider this scenario: An employee learning via LMS training has a question that no one at his store can answer. He types up a detailed yet concise email and sends it to the appropriate training manager. But that manager has an inbox that gets dozens of emails a day, and even if the message is viewed, time and effort is needed to figure out which process is being referenced and to dig it up on the LMS. Ultimately, the employee’s question will take time to answer, if it’s answered at all, and the process is either learned incorrectly or just ignored. An innovative LMS training extension will allow any communication to be attached directly to the content in question. Training managers will receive the concern faster and will know instantly which process requires their attention.
Communication Isn’t Limited to an Email
An LMS training extender should encourage many different methods of communicating aside from email (remember the crowded inbox?). Employees, managers, and execs can reach each other via text messaging, instant messages, audio clips, video files, and so on. Imagine a training process with a clear problem that might seem unclear when explained via email. A front-line employee can shoot video on her iPad and capture the problem, then send the footage to the appropriate manager who can better decide on action. Subsequently, the manager can send an audio message back detailing a solution. Emails are still important, of course, but they aren’t your only option for communicating during LMS training.
Employees Can Provide Fast, Important Feedback
The employees in the trenches—the ones setting up displays, cooking new items on the menu, in the field overseeing a project, and so on—are in the best position to see how a training procedure is working. Training managers and execs might want to see how the procedure is working as well and offer comments and suggestions. An LMS training extension encourages this collaboration by simplifying and expediting communication. This important exchange of opinions and feedback strengthens front-line employees’ investments in their jobs while keeping managers involved but not over-involved.
Revisions, Updates, and Improvements Can Be Made on the Fly
Perhaps the greatest benefit of an LMS training extender is that when excellent communication is in place, any changes to a process can be made efficiently and productively, in minutes instead of hours or days. With these revisions also noted in the LMS, other stores in the company can use the updated best practices when they institute the process. Training and eLearning becomes a conversation rather than a series of commands—something your employees will notice and appreciate.
How effective at communication is your LMS?
