Regardless of whether you run an online business or a brick-and-mortar establishment, an organization’s workforce remains its greatest asset. Online systems can be programmed to perform routine tasks, but the programming of that routine task must be handled by someone whose knowledge and capability are crucial to you; this is where IT support comes in.
Organizations that invest in the development of employee skills are known to be more successful than those that do not. Training can take place on the job or through the provision of online training resources. Very often, training will be provided in-house by managers who are skilled in imparting knowledge to their subordinates. To access a wider range of skills, though, organizations must rely on external providers such as IT support from Mustard IT to tailor programs to address the particular needs within the organization.
Given this, here are five good reasons to invest in the continuous development of your staff.
1. Improves Efficiency and Effectiveness
Staff development improves the efficiency and effectiveness of your organization. Staff is better able to understand procedures and processes followed by the organization. They also learn new skills and acquire specific knowledge that enables them to improve their current performance.
2. Identify and Address Weaknesses
It enables the organization to identify and address its weaknesses. Weaknesses are internal to the organization and can often be corrected to ensure better organizational outcomes. If the weakness is, for example, poor customer service – identified through surveys or mounting complaints from clients – then a training program can be designed and targeted for those at the front line to rectify that shortcoming.
3. Opportunities for Career Advancement
Staff training provides people with opportunities for career advancement. Managers who encourage their subordinates to progress are improving levels of job satisfaction for their subordinates. As workers learn new skills and techniques, they may find that moving sideways into a niche area within the organization provides them with more satisfying work or they may choose to move upwards, aiming for managerial positions.
4. Improve Employee, Team, and Business Performance
Training empowers people and improves performance at the individual, team, and organizational levels. Teamwork is an important aspect of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Complex tasks generally require the mobilization of multiple skills and knowledge and empower workers to perform well within a team setting. Consequently, organizations can strive to accomplish greater goals.
5. Greater Commitment to Business Goals
Continuous learning is known to create a greater commitment to organizational goals. It empowers workers and helps them develop leadership capabilities. Online resources and a variety of other training methods, such as mentoring, can be used to promote continuous learning for your staff. The return on investment will be manifest in a number of ways; the organization will remain compliant and successful through the creation of a more loyal and dedicated workforce.
E-Learning Essential for Successful Businesses
E-learning-based training and development have been proven to be an important aspect for all successful businesses in the 21st century. By 2024, the global e-learning market is expected to exceed US$24 billion, and the majority of this demand is driven by companies for workplace training, both small and large. It is reported that in 2017 in the United States, almost 77% of businesses used online learning for their staff in contrast to more traditional methods of workplace learning.
The reason for this phenomenal growth in e-learning is companies recognize that structured and purposeful online training adds a significant amount to their bottom line(s). There is a direct correlation between workplace training and development and increased productivity, with a consequent rise in revenue. Whilst there is an improvement in the financial bottom line, there is a parallel change in the other bottom lines – for example, the ‘people bottom line’. What this means is the workforce is more motivated, more able, more satisfied, etc.
Therefore, a comprehensive plan for company training and development is extremely important, and this needn’t be expensive with the use of online learning. Company-wide training is important so that everyone’s skills are regularly upgraded; there are plenty of external providers that supply IT training.
Is Mobile Learning the Future for Businesses?
The modern way of learning is changing rapidly. There was the traditional ‘Talk & Chalk’ method of workplace learning, but that was overtaken by self-paced e-learning. However, self-paced learning has also been declining; what employers have found is most employees generally did not conclude their self-paced learning; it was too easy to let it slide.
Consequently, employers have been experimenting with more creative approaches to workplace learning, which have kept their employees engaged and keen. Sixty-seven percent of US companies offer their staff mobile learning, both a continuation of the trajectory away from classroom and teacher-led learning and self-paced learning. Mobile learning makes use of various types of ICT hardware – laptops, tablets, and smartphones – all of which are used for employee learning.
Regardless of size, the modern business can offer employee training and development via mobile learning. A good Learning Management System (LMS) should be able to offer content that can be viewed and interacted with on a laptop, a tablet, and more importantly a smartphone. It is fair to say that Mobile Learning is in its infancy, but this is the future; it is standing on the shoulders of self-paced learning. IT support, whether internal or external provider, is required to ensure smooth mobile learning on all types of devices.
As the title suggests, staff development is vital to organizations, especially when delivered via mobile learning. Corporate workplace mobile learning has three key benefits: (a) it reduces the time employees need to be away from their desks in classrooms, (b) staff can engage with it anywhere and anytime, and (c) it puts more control back into the hands of the employee.
How to Keep Your Employees Safe in the Workplace
Train Your Staff for the 21st Century
A good IT support company can enable an organization to remain competitive by transitioning workplace training and development into the twenty-first century; by placing mobile learning in the hands of every employee and by aligning the preferences of university graduates with digital training options, training is yours without the hassle. The promotion of continuous learning remains the key to organizational success.
