Provide value to employees with online training

Employee retention has been newly prioritized among many employers. During the recession, few companies were hiring, so employees were more or less rooted. As the economy continues to improve, so too do job opportunities. That means if workers don't feel valued, they may begin to look for greener pastures.

Fortunately for businesses, there are myriad ways of making employees feel like valued parts of a business and not cogs in a machine. Some of these strategies may cost money – such as pay raises, bonuses and promotions. That said, businesses don't have to pay their employees to bolster retention, as there are other viable means as well.

Take, for example, training. Most workers take pride in their work, and as a result, they want to do the best job possible. One of the ways businesses can help them accomplish this goal is by providing them with online training. This effectively accomplishes a variety of goals at once, such as bolstering productivity and improving employee retention.

How does online training buoy employee value?

Indifference can be a toxic element in any workplace. A report from Target Training International suggests that approximately 60 percent of customers or clients stop dealing with businesses because they feel their employees are indifferent.

There are many factors that can lead to employees feeling indifferent. While there are a number of variables that employers can't control – situations at home, for example – there are several that may be stemming from the business itself. For instance, employees who aren't confident in their understanding of their roles or their performance can experience a lack of motivation.

Online training can help ensure indifference is not an issue. The proper educational initiative is a significant value add to any business because it essentially resolves any setbacks in regard to performance issues and understanding of the job. Training exists to clarify any questions employees have about their roles and expected tasks and can also provide the insight needed to improve performance.

Once employees have a better understanding of what is expected of them and are equipped with the skill sets required to complete their jobs, they will likely become more content in their positions within a company. Online training shows employees that their employers value their presence, and goes a long way to preventing the toxic effects of indifference.

Why online training?

Of course, online training has a number of unique benefits over other traditional educational initiatives.

First and foremost is cost – no longer do businesses have to send their employees to off-site locations or rent conference rooms to provide training. With the internet, training can be completed anywhere – in the office, at home or even on the road. This enables businesses to save money on expenses such as venue rental costs or transportation.

“Cost savings is a key attraction [of online training] as corporations save between 50 and 70 percent due to elimination of travel expenses,” adds business blog Smart Biz.

Online training is also extremely modular, with employees able to pick and chose which sections they want to learn. For employers, this makes training easier to perform, as they can create one set of materials and then assign parts as needed. For employees, this reduces time wasted, as they don't have to sit through extraneous sections that provide them with little value.