Highlighting Fundamental Elements: The Significance of Detailed On-the-Job Training
The world of technology is constantly evolving, and it's essential for businesses to keep up with the times. One way this is achieved is through training, and a notable advocate for micro-level, ongoing training in small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) is Kathleen Hurley, the founder of Sage Inc.
According to Sage Inc.'s thought leadership in workforce management, micro-training offers several benefits that can drive continuous development and business agility.
Firstly, micro-training enhances skill retention. Small, frequent training sessions help employees absorb and retain information better than infrequent, lengthy sessions. This means that employees are more likely to remember the basics of their jobs, such as how to use Outlook, Word, and Excel, even when they are not refreshed.
Secondly, micro-training increases employee engagement. Short, relevant training boosts engagement by fitting learning into employees’ regular workflows without overwhelming them. This approach ensures that employees are constantly learning and growing, which can lead to higher levels of job satisfaction and productivity.
Thirdly, micro-training enables rapid adaptation to changes. With the business landscape changing rapidly, it's crucial for employees to keep pace. Micro-learning enables rapid updates and reinforcement, helping employees stay up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques.
Fourthly, micro-training is cost-effective and less disruptive compared to traditional training methods. Computer-based training allows employees to take courses on their own time, reducing the need for costly workshops and meetings.
Lastly, micro-training enhances productivity. Employees apply new knowledge and skills immediately, improving their performance incrementally over time. This can lead to a more efficient workforce, as employees are better equipped to handle their tasks.
It's also worth noting that annual HR policy and cybersecurity training is necessary for employees. Frequent updates to tools used by employees often lack formal guidance, making training even more crucial. Integration of computer-based training can provide flexibility for learners, allowing them to fit training into their schedules at their convenience.
Offering retraining as an option, even when no remediation is needed, can boost confidence, increase speed and productivity, and improve the quality of output. Training based on a needs analysis is more powerful and productive as it is targeted and beneficial for both the organization and employee.
In a 2016 survey, 44% of organizations focused on training employees for improvements in quality, showing that the importance of training is widely recognized. A 2024 LinkedIn Learning study showed that the majority of companies train employees to retain them.
While high-level training areas such as Six Sigma and Lean are important, micro-level training topics, like training employees on the basics of their jobs, may be even more crucial. Short, recurring refresher sessions can help keep employees aligned with tools and evolving context.
In conclusion, micro-level training plays a significant role in the success of SMBs. By focusing on the basics and offering ongoing, relevant training, businesses can improve skill retention, increase employee engagement, adapt rapidly to changes, and enhance productivity.
Kathleen Hurley, the founder of Sage Inc., emphasizes the importance of micro-training in SMBs for continuous development and business agility. Micro-training enhances skill retention, increases employee engagement, enables rapid adaptation to changes, is cost-effective, and enhances productivity.
