Today, we use apps for just about all areas of our lives, including work, which remains arguably the most reliant on the capabilities of software. While most apps that are built for areas such as fitness, socialising and entertainment which require little training, business applications are quite different. Too often, organisations make the mistake of adopting software to help them achieve their goals without first seeking expert advice. This often leaves them with only a basic understanding of the product, which limits the benefits they can gain from the application.
Training is a key requirement if you want to ensure widespread adoption of any new or existing business application. Most organisations invest a lot of money in software and apps. Still, often employees have no idea how to utilise the technology properly, and this means it doesn’t get adopted in the way the business had anticipated. As a result, the gap widens between the full potential of what the software or app offers for the user, versus what the user actually needs to complete certain tasks. Essentially, a lack of training usually means a lower return on investment from that app, leading to increased frustration within the business.
COVID-19 has put a spotlight on remote training
This problem has always existed to some extent but has become even more pronounced in recent months with COVID-19. For example, the use of collaboration software has changed the way the world communicates, especially as remote working becomes the norm. Individuals no longer have their colleagues immediately on hand to ask questions or assist as they would in the workplace. This makes training even more important. Continuous training is also essential for experienced users, as well as initial on-boarding training for new users.
As mentioned above, training is typically associated with new users, but all employees need to have refresher sessions, regardless of how long they’ve been using an application. There are several reasons, for example,
- Training can help to unleash the full potential of an application, but users need to understand how all of the features work – and this takes time.
- Updates to software to extend capabilities – This helps to keep up with the ever-changing needs of users, but if users aren’t updated, they may never discover the functionalities.
- Changing business processes – this may lead to software usage being adapted to meet new requirements, which may necessitate a refresher for users.
What training will your business invest in?
Given the circumstances of this year, it’s no longer a question of ‘why remote training’, but what type of remote training you are going to invest in.
But first let’s take a step back to understand why businesses sought remote training before the pandemic.
- Convenience was a key reason; the organisation doesn’t have to book meeting rooms with AV equipment. Likewise, you don’t need power sockets or firewall access for attendees.
- Cost-savings have always driven the appeal of remote training. The business doesn’t incur travel expenses and overnight stays for either the trainer or the attendees.
- Inclusivity is another reason; where employers with staff around the world require training, remote sessions provide a more inclusive option. Additionally, you have recorded sessions for teams to refer to later on.
- Those being trained don’t need to be out of the office for a whole day; it can be delivered in a flexible and accommodating manner.
And to be honest the same reasons and more apply today.
To help you choose the most suitable training provider, below is a checklist of the key attributes I would recommend you look out for:
Your training checklist
Training Employees During COVID19
- Is support available beyond the training course? No provider should expect you to not come across obstacles once the course is complete. A trainer who provides ongoing support following a session(s) is usually a safe bet.
- How do they deliver training remotely? Flexibility is key. If this year has taught us anything it’s that we can’t predict the future. It’s important to know that you can still reach your trainer if, say, a pandemic hits and everyone is forced to work from home (why does that sound so familiar?).
- Is the course adaptable? No two people are the same; it’s important to ensure the provider is willing and able to adapt the course to suit the skillset and knowledge of your team.
Training and Enrichment
- Do they provide training for all levels of experience? Training providers need be proficient in all applications, but also recognise that users may be at beginner, experienced or advanced level.
- Do they provide bespoke training within the industry? You might already be familiar with the applications but if you need to learn specific requirements, choose a supplier that will allow you to focus on these areas. There’s no point wasting time on something that your users are already familiar with.
The Level of Training Received
- How will the training drive Return on Investment (ROI) for the company? How has the provider helped other businesses realise ROI? How does the training provider differentiate itself from competitors?
- Credentials — do they have qualifications to prove that they are capable of delivering the training you require?
- Are they certified? If you’re receiving training from the organisation that produced the software, this question won’t apply. If you’re looking elsewhere because you want to broaden your horizons and know what else is on the market, then make sure you’re only looking at certified providers. Are they a partner of the company that created the software, or are they affiliated with them in some other way?
- Are you only considering them because they offer low prices? A low price doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get poor results, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get the best either. It’s important to choose a provider for the right reasons.
- A substantial amount of positive feedback — do they have more than just a few reviews from customers? If so, how big or small are the companies they have worked with, and how do they compare to the number of people in your organisation/team?
- What does the feedback actually say about them? Think about what’s important to your business and how your team learns best. Do the reviews have words like ‘thorough’, ‘well-organised’ or ‘satisfied’ in them? Do they mention important attributes such as good communication skills and continued support?
At Clearvision, we provide both virtual and on-site training courses. Before the pandemic, 5% of our courses were delivered remotely in the UK and 80% in the US. Due to the current climate, our training is now 100% remote, however, we will once again offer a mix of both on-site and remote, when it is safe to do so. But most importantly, we don’t just tell those we are training what to press, but why, the impact, and the alternatives and we ensure that we are on hand to support post training.
Founded in 2005, Clearvision is an ISO 27001 certified Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner. Experts within the company have helped hundreds of businesses using the Atlassian stack with their consultancy, hosting, training, and support needs.
Enabling teams to reach their full potential is the company’s mantra, which is shown through the time and money saved by customers who need not compromise on quality.
Clearvision caters to Atlassian customers, in addition to providing services including ClearHost, its trusted hosting platform powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), and ClearHub a platform for businesses searching for expert Jira, Confluence, and DevOps Contractors, anywhere in the world, with built-in technical support.
For more information, please visit www.clearvision-cm.com. Follow Clearvision on Twitter @clearvisioncm or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearvision/ to stay up to date with the latest announcements in the Atlassian ecosystem and beyond.
