In 2012, Gallup researched the business effects of employee engagement. The study discovered that work units ranked in the top quarter of the survey outperformed those in the bottom quarter by 21 percent in terms of productivity, 22 percent in profitability, and 25 percent in employee turnover in high-turnover industries (and an amazing 65 percent in low-turnover industries).
The research is rather stats-driven, but the bottom line is clear: Engaged employees are more productive employees in the short and long term.
Of the various ways to create more engaged workers, employee training programs might not be many executives’ first thought. After all, training is training—an employee learns the job or doesn’t, right? The reality is, employee training programs can be a secret weapon to increasing productivity, reducing turnover, and boosting profits. Almost any industry can benefit from a training and collaboration platform that employs iPads to streamline the learning and communication processes. Here are some reasons why employee training programs can give your company a surprising edge:
New Hires Hit the Floor Sooner
New employees can’t be productive until mastering the skills necessary to do their jobs well.
They can begin to learn those skills quicker if they are on the floor sooner. They can be on the floor sooner if they aren’t stuck in an office reading employee handbooks and watching how-to videos during their first days. An iPad-based training solution can get these new hires out of the back of the store and out where the action is. Furthermore, employees who aren’t dulled senseless when they start a job will be more likely to develop an initial favorable impression, which will only increase the chances they stick around past a few weeks.
Faster Rollout of New Products and Promotions
Time is of the essence when a new item or marketing strategy is unveiled. Wait too long and you risk lessening the impact of the rollout. Go too quickly and your workers might not be prepared for what’s involved to make the introduction a success. Employee training programs that proactively explain all important aspects of the new product or promotion can help ensure the rollout is done right and possibly ahead of schedule.
Consistency Among Stores
If a restaurant chain is serving the same item at each location, diners usually expect the same quality among all the stores they visit. If one location is not salting its fries while another is adding garlic to them while another has the recipe completely wrong, customers may get confused or avoid the item altogether—or worse, stop frequenting the chain. Even different work shifts at the same restaurant may prepare the fries differently. Therefore, consistency is important and can be achieved by uniform employee training programs. An enterprise solution with the capability to push training materials, including videos, to managers and, eventually, employees can solidify consistency and protect your company’s good reputation.
An Interactive Experience
Employees who train with iPads are part of a much more interactive experience than workers of the past. The technology resonates with many employees, especially younger ones, and provides a much “cooler” way to learn a new skill or get something done. Furthermore, collaboration tools allow for workers to provide instant feedback, which only enhances their sense of participation in the process. These interactive experiences increase employee engagement, which, in turn, will be a boon for your company.
How have employee training programs at your company improved productivity?
