The traditional LMS is slowly dying out, and for good reason in today’s fast paced work environment. We need to be able to meet workers where they are by embedding training in their existing workflows. Let’s explore some ways we can do that.
I’ll start by pointing out that there are still valid use cases for a traditional LMS. Onboarding for new employees is a perfect example. A new employee often has many tasks to complete, and likely feels a little overwhelmed with all the new information being handed to them, so having all of their required training in one well-organized system is a great place for them to start. Once they move on to their day-to-day workflow, however, many people find logging into a separate training location a bit of a hassle.
Think about it this way – if your microwave is on the fritz and gives you an error code, which are you going to do… go dig up the manual in your designated appliance manual storage drawer (the LMS), or do a quick Google search? Even better… imagine if all the error codes were printed right on the inside of your microwave for easy access. That’s what we want to do for our employees; keep them from needing to dig for the information they need.
Here’s a few ways we can do that:
- QR codes that lead to job aids or short videos. This is a fantastic idea for job roles that are more hands-on.
- Private YouTube channels can house easily searchable video walkthroughs in a format that most people are very familiar with
- Walk-me simulations can be embedded directly into proprietary software, allowing users to access guided help without leaving their workflow.
- Set up Slack channels to push training, build out workflows, or house a knowledge base, allowing employees to receive support inside their main mode of communication.
- Microlearning pushed through software or email. Some call center routing software now has the option to push content when the call queues are short, maximizing productivity. For other job roles, email or messaging apps can be used to send reinforcement activities that don’t require logging into another system.
What other methods is your organization using to meet employees’ training needs without disrupting their daily workflow?
