Top 10 Mistakes Companies Make in Online Employee Training
- Posted on Oct 17, 2023
Employees want training to do their jobs well.
Not surprisingly, online training has become indispensable for employee development post-COVID. However, to guarantee online professional development opportunities go beyond the traditional sit-and-get training of the past, companies must avoid common pitfalls when providing online training for their employees.
Mistakes can undermine training program effectiveness, hamper employee engagement, and ultimately impact your organization’s success — unless you know how to avoid these online employee training mistakes.
1. Lack of Clear Objectives
A fundamental mistake companies make in online training is failing to define clear and measurable learning objectives. A lack of well-defined goals can derail well-intentioned training programs. Instead, help employees understand these three things:
- why they are participating in the training,
- what they are expected to gain from it, and
- how their growth will be measured.
Establish specific, achievable learning objectives that guide the training process and help your employees see the value — and progress — in their learning journey.
2. Inadequate Content
Providing outdated or irrelevant content is a surefire way to disengage learners. Employees want training that will help them unlock their true potential. You can meet their expectations by ensuring the content is up-to-date, relevant, and aligned with employees’ responsibilities. By regularly reviewing and updating the training materials to meet industry standards and regulations, you can keep learners engaged and informed.
3. Poor Course Design
Learning is supposed to be fun. Lengthy, monotonous, or poorly structured content can hinder engagement and retention. Instead, insist on interactive and engaging courses that maintain learner interest. Incorporating multimedia elements, real-world examples, case studies and opportunities for practical application can enhance the course design and make the training more effective.
4. Ignoring Different Learning Styles
Not all employees learn the same way, and neglecting to accommodate various learning styles can lead to ineffective training. Some employees prefer textual information, while others thrive with visuals, videos, or hands-on interactive elements. Others may need time for reflection. A mix of learning modalities caters to diverse learning preferences, ensuring all employees benefit from the training.
5. Insufficient Interactivity
Online training should always be a positive experience. Failing to include interactive elements like quizzes, discussions, simulations, or hands-on activities can lead to a lack of retention. Interactivity keeps learners engaged and encourages active participation and knowledge retention. Allowing learners to apply what they’ve learned in a practical context can significantly enhance training effectiveness.
6. Lack of Personalization
One-size-fits-all training may not meet your individual employees’ unique needs and skill levels. Optimizing the training to employees’ specific roles and competencies can help organizations avoid this mistake. Personalization can make the training more relevant and engaging; employees see how it directly relates to their job functions and career development.
7. Poor User Experience
A complicated or non-intuitive learning platform can quickly frustrate employees. A good user experience ensures they engage with the training. Companies should ensure that the online training platform is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and responsive to different devices, making it accessible for all employees.
8. Inadequate Assessment and Feedback
With regular assessments and feedback, employees may find it easier to gauge their progress and areas needing improvement. Look for incorporated quizzes, assignments, and other forms of assessment throughout the training to help learners measure their understanding and identify areas of weakness. Providing timely and constructive feedback is essential to support ongoing improvement.
9. Neglecting the Follow-Up
Online training should not be a one-time event. Some companies overlook the importance of ongoing support, coaching, and reinforcement after the initial training. Follow-up evaluation sessions, mentorship programs, or regular check-ins can help employees apply what they’ve learned and reinforce their skills and knowledge.
10. Failure to Measure ROI
Neglecting to measure the return on investment (ROI) for online training can hinder the ability to determine its effectiveness. Companies should use key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the impact on employee performance and company goals. Tracking metrics such as improved productivity, reduced error rates, increased sales, or higher employee satisfaction can help quantify the benefits of the training program.
When executed effectively, online training is a valuable tool for employee development. Ask your training provider how they can help you avoid the common online training mistakes discussed here. Together, you can ensure your employees receive the most impactful and engaging learning experience possible.
By defining clear objectives, offering relevant content, improving course design, and catering to diverse learning styles, you can optimize your online training programs and provide employees with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles.