How To Train Employees If You Run A Digital Business

How To Train Employees If You Run A Digital Business

The digital age has completely revolutionized how businesses operate. For years, you had to be in a specific location to do your job. Whether you had to show up to an office space or operated out of a storefront, there was a more strict structure to your day-to-day operations. However, with more digital platforms opening up, there are more businesses than ever completely relying on online workspaces.

If you run a digital business, you may have a different training process and communication style with your team. This is especially true if your staff is primarily working remotely. You also need to make sure your employees understand how to best utilize your different software programs. With new advances, you’ll need to make sure everyone is caught up and ready for success. It’s a great idea to work on this as you are training the new learners in your organization. Here are a few other suggestions to make sure your training program for your digital business is the perfect fit.

Develop a virtual training and onboarding process.

Training is a necessary part of incorporating new staff into your current systems. While people have had to train in person for years, that requirement is slowly going away. If you are hiring and onboarding individuals who don’t necessarily live in your geographical area, you’ll need to figure out the best way to train through completely digital spaces. An eLearning solution may be the answer you’re looking for. After the pandemic, these outlets understand the shift in business operations from in-person to eLearning platforms. This adjustment has heightened the need for a new model for training that lives up to the challenges of digital transformation. Take handy quizzes, get better responses from mentors and leaders, and enjoy the different outlets of mobile learning as a digital training solution.

Know the best ways for your team to communicate.

Avenues for communication definitely change when you transition to completely digital platforms. You may not be able to just get up and walk to another person’s cubicle like you would in a traditional business model. For this reason, it’s essential that you pick out successful ways for your team to communicate. From video calls to message boards to productivity check-ins, make sure you’re being transparent and proactive with all your communications between the team. This will help trainees pick up on their tasks that much faster.

Establish professionalism guidelines upfront.

Tech startups are typically a bit more laid back than other businesses. Because you’re working in a hip, new field and most of your interactions happen online, there is a different expectation for your individual interactions. As you’re training new members of your team, it’s important to be upfront about the professionalism guidelines. For example, just because you’re taking meetings through a video chat from the comfort of your own home doesn’t mean you should show up in sweats and a t-shirt or looking generally unpresentable. Perhaps petite women‘s blouses, a nice dress, or professional merchandise in select styles would be more appropriate. Tell your trainees the wardrobe expectations as you’re welcoming them to the company.

Provide necessary software and a review of how to use it.

A digital company involves a lot of advanced software and technology. Chances are, you’ve hired people who have a pretty good idea of what they’re doing. That being said, you will also want to implement training days to help everyone feel comfortable with your systems. Take the time to explain your exact methods because there may be some differences you’ll want everyone to manage. Taking the time upfront to share exactly how to use your software in the most productive and efficient way will help you in the long run.

Donald Phillips