Learning Management Systems (LMS) have been around for years, but their success as a training tool for retail employees has been uneven, as the software was usually run on a backroom computer, removed from the sales floor. It might seem that a quiet room would be preferred for study, but we’re talking about retail, not a memorized multiple-choice exam. Learning in retail happens best out on the floor or in the day-to-day work of the back-of-house inventory, managing the shipping and receiving. With that in mind, here’s a look at the features you should look for in the next generation of retail training management software:
Mobility Is Key
Mobile devices are everywhere now, and your training system shouldn’t be locked away where you need an appointment to get at it. Lots of LMS software works on smartphones and tablets, allowing learning to happen where your employees are doing the work. The term “performance support” describes the assistance delivered to workers as they are “performing” their jobs. Mobility is key to performance support, as it provides training content to the employee where they are, and when they need it.
Cloud-based
A mobile system doesn’t need to be exclusively delivered via software-as-a-service (SaaS), but a cloud system can relieve a lot of duties that your IT and operations departments would otherwise be on the hook to administer. You can install the training app on mobile devices - sometimes even on employee-owned smartphones with the right security in place. Without relying on a network connection back to the home office, your training system can download the current version of the necessary content from the cloud server. Syncing can be scheduled during off-hours, further lightening the network load.
Content Generated by Both L&D and Employees:
Your Learning and Development department has a mission to train your employees, but they should be open to learning as well. There are all sorts of tips, tricks, and procedure hacks that stores come up with on their own. An open LMS will allow workers to document their procedures with video or text and send upstream to HQ for review and distribution out to other stores as needed. Employee engagement goes up when they realize that management is listening, and increased employee engagement often means decreased worker churn.
Other important features to look for include data-driven learning statistics to help guide employee skills toward natural aptitude. Learning Management Systems should have a robust testing and content creation toolset as well. Lastly, an easy-to-read dashboard for reporting employee progress is crucial. Reports shouldn’t only come in CSV spreadsheets that you have to then export. Let your learning software package do the heavy lifting for you!
