Businesses around Ireland and across the globe have found themselves in an unprecedented position since the onslaught of COVID-19. Traditional work practices no longer work - remote work, work from home (WFH ) and the return to the office have been challenging for businesses and employees alike.

New guidance for employees is essential. Employees must know how to work from home effectively, what is expected from them and how they can continue to protect data, conduct business effectively and remain as productive and part of the internal team as ever. One area that can help improve all these areas is through effective employee training.

New online training, a revision of previous training and expectations and a look at how COVID-19 has affected the workplace can all be of huge benefit to your employees and your business.

What are the benefits of employee training to your business and how can it combat the challenges of COVID-19?

1. It Enhances Skill and Knowledge

74% of workers are keen to learn new skills to remain employable.

Employee training is a great way to improve upon employees existing skills. This is especially true when using new technology and techniques to communicate and conduct business that was not present before COVID-19. The use of tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Slack,  among many others, may still be new to many. Providing the foundations for continued learning within your company provides employees with trust and motivation to stay within your company.

In addition, employees will be more motivated when you offer classes that are directly related to what they want from the workplace. For example, if an employee wants to move up in their career, you might offer a class on leadership or management.

2. It Prepares Employees to Take More Responsibilities

Employee training empowers employees to take on more duties and responsibilities. If given a task that they have not been prepared for, many employees will be reluctant to take on the new role or complete it to a satisfactory level.

By providing even basic training on new duties and responsibilities, this training and encouragement can do wonders for employees’ self-confidence and belief in their role.

Conducting small online tutorials or in-office training sessions about new tools, CRM software or work processes ensures an informed and happy workforce are ready for new changes.

3. It Addresses Internal Weaknesses

68% of the employees believe that training and development is the most important policy of a company.

Employees need to be trained in several different areas, including how to manage their time, communication techniques, and critical thinking skills. If employees are not properly trained in these areas, they may make mistakes that negatively affect your business. For example, if one of your managers does not know how to communicate with his staff effectively, he could end up losing them, which will cause your business to suffer.

Untrained employees may be more detrimental to your business, than no employee at all. Should you have new employees, ensure they get the training they need to put them on par with their colleagues.

Internal weakness is not just felt in one department it can affect the entire business. It’s important to be able to identify these shortfalls and/or have avenues in which employees can voice their concerns.

4. Training improves communication

93% of employees revealed that efficient employee training programs have a positive engagement level. 

If an employee understands all the processes of your business, or at least their own department’s products and services, then they can communicate more effectively with customers. No employee or customer would be happy with an unsatisfactory description or display of products. No matter how small the task may be, effective employee training will provide employees with the tools to highlight your business, products and services more effectively.

5. Training Increases Productivity

Training allows employees to take on more responsibility and reduce mistakes. Being more efficient at their jobs will result in employees being more productive.

Many businesses have rebounded successfully from the first half of 2021 and much of this was due to effective training being put in place. Many businesses quickly put in place training and checks to ensure employees were still meeting their requirements.

Without proper training and safeguards in place, many businesses would likely have suffered.  Being able to switch quickly from office life to WFH schedules and remain productive is due to effective training programmes.

6. Improve Client Satisfaction

Customers who feel they are dealing with competent professionals who are trained and satisfied with their jobs will be more likely to recommend your business to friends and colleagues.

More and more business has moved online since the onslaught of COVID-19 which created huge problems for employees and customers, but those who rode the wave effectively have seen their businesses blossom. Much of this is again due to effective training, customers will notice when mistakes have been made or how undertrained staff are left holding the bag regarding services.

Conclusion

Has your business been able to survive COVID-19 effectively? Has your business grown? Are there things you wish you had done differently?

Through engaging in effective training campaigns, you will be able to tackle many of the shortfalls that your business may be facing and counteract any ill effects from COVID-19. Businesses with effective training and mentoring programmes are those which are most likely to succeed in the future. It is never too late to employ the assistance of professionals who can guide you on the right path for your business.

Should you be considering training or mentoring programmes, then contact Platinum Brand Communications and we will be able to put you on the right path to business success.