So you’ve made a new hire, or maybe you’re introducing a new program to your employees. How do you plan on training them? New employees often demand a good amount of training time, and if you are changing procedures for existing employees, this could also present some timely challenges. On top of task-based training, employees should also be immersed into the company’s culture by being exposed to its mission, vision, and purpose.
Training, no matter what kind it is, takes time and a good teacher to really communicate what needs to be learned and explained.
Because training can be overwhelming and encompass so many different aspects of your business, using video can be one of the best ways to have a successful training course.
When it comes to using video in training, it’s a good idea to have several different videos, each based around a specific topic. For example, if you are training someone to manage your social media accounts, you might have one video on Facebook statuses, another on Instagram pictures, etc. This makes it easier to choose which video should be watched and gives the viewer just enough information to process at once. You don’t want to overwhelm them with too much.
In addition to breaking different training sessions into videos, there are 3 key aspects that make video training a great option for any company:
Consistency
Poor communication accounts for 80% of problems in the workplace. When a different person is training your team every day, it is hard to be consistent. The same goes if you have multiple locations but want to maintain the same, rich culture. If your company has staff spread out around the globe, it’s a simple matter to ensure that everyone receives the same basic training since you can provide the videos. All trainees will watch, hear, and learn the same steps and receive the same coverage over each topic presented. Consistency is key to keeping everyone informed and on the same page about everything.
Accuracy
Even the best of teachers can make mistakes or accidentally skip over information. When something complicated is being taught or explained in a video, you can pause and repeat sections that are confusing. Most people learn well by seeing what they need to do and video can be an excellent way to convey information. This way, managers can make sure that employees are taught the right thing, the right way. Video delivers accuracy with no mistakes and more productivity right off the bat.
Engagement
Training videos aren’t meant to replace the human teachings of a training session, but strengthen it! Show the video and have employees follow along on a workbook, and then have a discussion about what they just learned. Then, have the employees complete the task they just watched. According to Forrester Research The human brain absorbs 50% more information through moving pictures and sound than the next best medium, making the use of video in training a bigger “bang” for your “buck”.
By using videos during training sessions, you will be able to achieve greater consistency, accuracy, and engagement within your team. This makes video training a great option for any business and an great option worth exploring.
QUESTION: What is your experience with training videos? How does your company use them?