The whirlwind that is Trump economics has had adverse effects on small business in the United Stats but the recent Paychex Small Business Employment Watch report painted somewhat of a stable picture as hiring remained steady in April, indexing slightly higher at 100.02. What’s to come over the next few months is anybody’s guess but the ability to pivot and adapt is a key advantage for small and midsize organizations. One area to highlight for SMBs heading into the next few quarters will be increasing efficiency and driving performance from frontline teams. Improving individual skills and organizational habits through training and upskilling will be the focus with the aim of maximizing opportunities, output and efficiency. Practical training can be delivered through various methods and platforms designed specifically for SMBs and the time and resource constraints they constantly face. Evolution of technology and devices has driven innovation in the way training and skills are delivered, each method has its own set of benefits and features.

Self Paced Learning for Essential Skills & Habits

Small and midsize businesses need effective but practical training solutions as most hiring is for entry level and customer service type positions. Candidates that may not have a lot of experience but display a certain level of enthusiasm can be taught essential customer service and communication skills as well as foundational organizational habits. Self paced training platforms are ideal for these scenarios as skills and habits can be delivered through engaging content, mini role playing assignments and online exercises that are completed in real time. Self paced learning does not mean slower learning and pace of training is configured to the needs of the business. Self paced learning can deliver job and business specific tasks and processes in addition to basic skills and habits. Self paced learning platforms can also provide extended evaluation functions, ensuring material is understood and absorbed. Self paced learning platforms are suited for entry level type positions requiring basic and essential customer skills that are easily understood and do not require extensive explanation.

Instructor Led Training for Advanced Learning and Greater Effectiveness

The mass adoption of video calling and conferencing technology has revolutionized how advanced and higher level training can be delivered. Instructor led training is suited for more complex roles such as supervisory and leadership type positions and is ideal for smaller groups of 3-5 students. Online conferencing platforms offer a wide variety of features that increase training effectiveness such as instant quizzes, group polling, screen sharing and individual conferencing. New hires training for upper positions can acquire more skills and managerial theory when taught in real time in a live, albeit virtual, environment. 2 way interactivity and student participation will also enhance the learning experience and lead to greater training effectiveness. Some other key features of instructor led training:

Live role playing and scenario examination

Ongoing and real time participant evaluation by the instructor

Q/A sessions with instructor

Ability to deliver more detailed training agendas, concepts and skills

As job duties and responsibilities increase, instructor-led training can deliver better results in teaching new hires or existing workers moving into more complex roles. Robust and plentiful technology enables small and midsize businesses access to cost effective methods of training for jobs that are beyond the entry level.

The Next Generation in Training Formats

Static self paced learning has its place in SMB training but new innovations in machine learning and Artificial Intelligence technology establishes a new frontier is training technology. Current innovations in AI can deliver high levels of engagement and interactivity including plain language comprehension and dynamic responses. These features position AI as an effective training tool for individual needs and can deliver training effectiveness in various industries such as retail and travel. Training new hires in travel businesses has become a highlight as travel providers look to prevent or reduce service and quality gaps caused by vacancies along frontline teams. Technology, such as hospit-AI-lity, can drastically reduce new travel worker training and onboarding time, getting the individual contribution at a much faster pace. AI training technology can also ensure better understanding of content with advanced evaluation functionality and dynamically controlled training and learning pace.

The Bottom Line

Today’s training methods and platforms are a far cry from the VHS tapes and binders from decades ago. Training effectiveness has also increased substantially with the current slate of advanced delivery methods. For small and midsize businesses, practical and cost effective training is easily within reach and improving team performance and capabilities can fit within the fast paced nature of SMBs. Self paced learning can effectively train entry level personnel in essential skills and organizational habits while instructor led sessions are appropriate for advanced skills and managerial roles that require a deeper understanding. The rapid adoption of AI technology is a game-changer for training platforms and offers next generation interactivity and engagement. Utilizing these training platforms to improve team skill sets, abilities and performance is a forward looking strategy that can yield positive impacts to the business, especially during periods of economic turbulence. For more information on training products and improving worker abilities, use the secure form in the column on the right side.