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Training employees to use new technology is no simple task. Conventional training methods don’t work in situations where a new program can overhaul the way you company works. These types of drastic changes require clever educational tactics. Here’s how you can handle the transition.
Adapt your training style
You can’t train every employee using the exact same method. Some people are visual learners, while others like to have hands-on experience before they start using a program. Try to diversify your training methods to cover all the bases.
It would help to create presentations to mimic a teaching environment, while also organizing workshops. This will help every employee catch up with the new tech.
Engage employees in decision-making
Before you decide to implement new technology, you should run it by your employees. It’s not uncommon for employers to introduce features without realizing that they inconvenience the normal employee workflow.
Consult employees with a test run of new tech, so that you can be certain that it will impact their productivity in a positive way.
Focus on the UI
Don’t go too deep in terms of the inner workings of the new tech. Most employees will only need to know how to use the program, while any extra knowledge will only confuse them.
Introduce advanced training sessions for the employees that must know every detail about a program. For the other employees, stick to the basics that will help them improve productivity.
Get adequate documentation
Your IT staff might need more than just a training manual to use new tools. They need to be armed with the particulars for any new technology, as they’ll be fixing any issues that pop up.
Request all essential documentation from the supplier. Anything that can help with maintenance and repairs will be of use to your IT team.
Create a video guide
Videos are especially good training tools for any new technology. You can include anything from theoretical knowledge to practical application in your training video and then edit it and send relevant parts to different employees.
Best of all, employees can pause and rewatch segments that are unclear. This makes it easier to learn tasks that require you to follow specific steps.
Implement a buddy system
If some employees are already familiar with the technology, they might just be your greatest asset. The best way to learn is on the job, and who better to teach employees than their coworkers?
A buddy program is the most effective way to introduce new tech to your company. When you pair up employees to work together, they’ll both learn more than they would on their own. Plus, it helps build team cohesion.
Revisit training programs
Don’t think that training is a one-time investment. Employees will need to brush up on crucial details for the program from time to time. Any software worth its while gets updates to take care of bugs and UX problems.
Because of this, you should organize semi-annual training sessions for employees. They don’t have to be extensive, so just cover the essentials and any new functionalities introduced by updates.
Practice early onboarding
Training is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor, which is why it helps to start as early as possible. Practice thorough onboarding with new employees, even before they start working at your company.
Remember to send them training videos and documentation early on. It won’t take long for them to adapt if they can understand the basics.
Set realistic deadlines
Some programs will require more extensive training than others. Don’t stick to strict deadlines, as you could end up with ineffective training programs.
Mould the training to the type of technology involved. Give employees enough time to adapt, and they’ll be able to use any new tech effectively.
Enlist professional training resources
Some programs and devices are too complicated to cover in a few sessions. It might take more time and resources to train employees to use them. In these cases, it’s crucial that you enlist the help of experienced instructional designers.
Outsourcing training to outsiders with experience reduces the time needed to train employees. With the help of Compliant Learning resources your team can master new technology in record time, and retain that knowledge effectively. In the end, it’s a solid cost-saving measure.
Incentivize learning
The best way to make training effective is to incentivize employees directly.
Set up a rewards system for learning checkpoints. When an employee uses the new technology to complete their project, they should get a bonus or day off. This will motivate every employee to learn with enthusiasm, which helps improve results.
Conclusion
With the right methods and training resources, you won’t have any issues with teaching employees to use new systems and technology. Follow the above pointers and you’ll get quick results with minimal costs.
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