09/28/2019
Honestly, who has time to update training resources on a regular basis? Your to-do list is already packed with LMS metrics monitoring, new content creation and gathering feedback. That said, you still must ensure that your employees have the latest information to avoid compliance violations. As well as skill-building resources that can help them improve performance and boost productivity. The solution is corporate training tools that require minimal maintenance so that you can allocate your time elsewhere. Here are 8 top activities for you to add to your corporate LMS.
1. Demo Videos
Use live actors or animation software to produce a demo video that shows employees the right and wrong way to perform a task. Or highlights how to avoid the most common compliance breaches. Demo videos are relatively easy to produce if you have the right tools. Plus, you can simply add links after the fact to provide tie-in materials that might help employees improve their understanding.
2. Infographics
Infographics are already bite-sized and easy to digest. They give employees an overview of a training topic or task, complete with images and stats. But you can also add ‘easy to upkeep’ to their list of benefits. These engaging corporate training tools usually involve a template that’s quick to revise and update. You can simply use your rapid authoring tool to plug in new information or new images and graphics that are more favorable.
3. Skill-Building Games
Develop skill-building serious games that impart practical talents as they entertain employees. The best thing about these engaging corporate training tools is they don’t require much maintenance. You can simply use a rapid authoring tool with built-in templates and themes to design it. Then add new levels to reflect policy changes or updates. Just make sure it features a storyline and characters that walk the fine line between being evergreen and staying relevant. You want it to stand the test of time. But not to the point that employees can’t place themselves in the main character’s shoes.
4. Training Podcasts
Quick podcasts give employees all the information they need to handle a common workplace challenge or master a new task. It might feature tips to help them build their sales skills or better relate to their co-workers. Another perk is that they don’t take much time or money to produce. Recording software, microphone, and a script are really all you need to create a high-quality podcast. You can also expand your library to include new topics or obstacles that arise in the workplace.
5. Social Media Groups
Organizations often overlook social learning in their strategy. However, a social media group is one of the best ways to facilitate knowledge sharing without going over budget. It’s free, and employees update it themselves with posts, comments, and resource links. You can even use it to update them on upcoming courses. Or encourage them to give and receive feedback. You may have to have a moderator check in every now and then to ensure that the conversation stays on track. For example, everyone is respecting peers’ opinions and participating in the discussion.
6. Recorded Live Events
You’re already hosting a live event to keep your employees well-informed. Why not record it and launch a webinar library. Add background music, visuals and supplemental resource links to the finished product to enrich the experience. In the future, you can even break the recorded event into microlearning resources to get even more out of it. No need to continually maintain the webinar because it acts as a snapshot of a moment. What was happening within your organization at that time and experiences that employees and hosts wanted to share.
7. Task Simulations
Task simulations give employees real-world experience and enable them to learn from their mistakes. They also happen to be low-maintenance corporate training tools that can help you stretch your L&D budget. Every simulation involves a specific process that is part of the daily routine for employees. Generally, these tasks don’t change much over time. As such, you don’t need to incorporate new steps or skill-building tools into the scenario. If you do implement new technologies or new compliance policies come into play, you can always use a template to make minor changes.
8. Company Policy Checklists
One of the most fundamental and low-cost corporate training tools at your disposal is checklists. Namely, company policy lists that allow employees to identify areas for improvement and refresh their memory. For example, the checklist covers the 10 steps they must carry out during the return process. Or the top 5 dress code items they need to wear every day to work. They’re able to check each item off as they complete it and track their own proficiency. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to update a list if you need to add additional points. For best results, liven it up with images and graphics. Or make it interactive so that employees can view resources that tie into each item.
These corporate training tools may require very little maintenance. But you should still check up on them from time to time to make sure their still relevant. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as eLearning resources that monitor their own metrics or revise themselves. At least, not yet. Mark periodic diagnostics and evaluations in your schedule to verify that the tools are timely and bridge crucial gaps. If engagement or completion rates are low, it may be time to rethink their place in your corporate LMS.
By Christopher Pappas