Effective Retail Training for Disparate Workforces
In the retail industry, maintaining high performance can be challenging due to the dispersed nature of the workforce. This poses additional challenges for companies, particularly in terms of onboarding and reinforcing training. With constant product updates and evolving practices, it is crucial for a company’s long-term survival to effectively deliver new information to employees while ensuring consistency and quality. This can be achieved through digital training. At Wranx, we transform your training content into a digital format and deliver it to learners. Our unique platform breaks down training into manageable pieces, which are repetitively shown to learners over time. Through our “daily drills,” all learners receive the same content, regardless of their location. This allows you to have full visibility into what your employees are learning and eliminates the need to send trainers across the globe.
Here, There, Everywhere
Effective communication can be a formidable hurdle for businesses with a disparate workforce. Let’s consider this scenario: You oversee a specialty clothing company with an upcoming major product launch. Ensuring the right information reaches all store employees is crucial. Unfortunately, despite an initial training session, there is no follow-up reinforcement to help them retain the knowledge. Customers often evaluate a product’s value in relation to its price. Thus, sales assistants require up-to-date product knowledge and strong communication skills to secure sales. Given the significant impact on employee performance, it becomes vital to provide consistent and engaging training. As we recognize the advantages of digital training, it begs the question: Is traditional classroom training truly sufficient?
What are your employees retaining?
There is a common misconception that once employees learn something, they will automatically remember it. Unfortunately, as humans, we are prone to forgetfulness. This becomes even more challenging when you have employees working in different locations, as it becomes difficult to keep track of who knows what. Without proper reinforcement, the value of initial training diminishes over time, as employees are not incentivized to retain what they have learned. This can lead to significant financial implications.
Success in the Workplace
Wranx has experienced consistent success in collaboration with The North Face, the renowned retail company specializing in outdoor clothing and pioneering technological advancements. Having already trained over 2,000 learners, Wranx anticipates a substantial increase in this figure.
What was needed?
Through Wranx’s customized content conversion process, The North Face’s learning materials were transformed into easily digestible 50-question modules, perfectly designed for maximum impact.
The North Face’s commitment to self-improvement highlighted the necessity for continuous and effective training across various disciplines including product knowledge, customer service, and behavior-based training. Their ultimate objective with Wranx was to elevate the customer experience by establishing a solid foundation of product knowledge within their workforce.
What was delivered?
According to reports from The North Face, users found it easier to retain what they had learnt using Wranx’s method of repeating questions over time. As a result, The North Face observed a direct improvement in customer experiences. Positive customer reviews revealed that purchasing decisions were heavily influenced by staff members’ advanced product knowledge. These findings are supported by the fact that 87% of users felt that training with Wranx would enhance their performance in their respective roles. This clearly demonstrates the remarkable value added by Wranx. By engaging in daily drills, employees consistently reinforced their understanding of key product information, preventing it from being forgotten.
Click here to read our case study with The North Face
The Wranx Approach
The Wranx platform explores the synergy of advanced e-learning technology and science proven to foster employee knowledge retention. By mitigating our natural memory fade, Wranx optimizes long-term learning efficacy. Information is strategically presented at spaced intervals, tailored to individual confidence levels. This gradual reinforcement effortlessly reinforces knowledge, countering our mind’s predisposition to forget.
Measuring your employees’ progress
Wranx Analytics offers a comprehensive solution for tracking employee performance. It provides a centralized platform where employers can easily access data and filter it by team or division. This allows for a detailed breakdown of training progress by region. With just a few clicks, employers can gain valuable insights into learner confidence and completion rates.
By cross-referencing this data with employee performance, employers can effectively measure the impact of Wranx training on knowledge and confidence levels.
In addition to daily drills, Wranx offers multiple-choice assessments, including Certainty Based Marking (CBM) assessments. These assessments add another layer to training, by providing measurable feedback on employee’s confidence in their knowledge. This valuable option helps identify areas for improvement and allows employers to gain deeper insights into what employees know and how confident they are in their answers. For instance, The North Face managers discovered that 80% of learners improved their CBM scores, highlighting the effectiveness of Wranx as a powerful learning tool.
Why Is Wranx Worth It?
A diverse workforce has the potential to feel disconnected from their organization. However, by providing an inclusive training method, staff will feel more connected and aligned with the organization’s goals. This stems from a place of confidence and pride in performing their jobs well. Achieving this outcome is made possible with Wranx. Our platform combines innovative e-learning technology with established memory science, maximizing learners’ ability to retain crucial information. With its natural adaptability, Wranx can cater to each company’s specific needs and deliver various types of training, from product knowledge to customer care for vulnerable individuals. Managing a diverse workforce becomes more efficient with Wranx, reducing training costs by streamlining its delivery. Furthermore, our focus on analytics allows employers to monitor employee progress, measure development, and ensure consistent, high-quality training content regardless of their location.
Boost Employee Onboarding with Microlearning
Onboarding plays a critical role in the success of any organization. It helps new employees acquire the necessary knowledge and skills, and integrate into the organizational culture quickly. However, traditional onboarding methods no longer suffice in today’s fast-paced world. With the emergence of technology, employers need to leverage digital tools to improve employee onboarding while minimizing the time and resources required. Microlearning has emerged as one of the most effective techniques in recent years. This blog post will explore how microlearning can boost employee onboarding and provide strategies for implementing it successfully.
Why Microlearning Works for Onboarding
Microlearning provides bite-sized content to learners. It presents information in smaller chunks, making it easier to digest and retain. Rather than overwhelming new employees with prolonged and often dull training sessions, microlearning offers more engaging and interactive options that align with today’s short attention spans. By using engaging videos, infographics, and quizzes that can be accessed anytime, anywhere, microlearning makes learning fun and interactive.
Strategies for Implementing Microlearning
To make the most of microlearning in onboarding, you need to develop a strategy. Here are some tips for implementing it effectively:
a. Identify the critical content that new employees need to learn to be productive.
b. Develop a curriculum and break it into bite-sized chunks.
c. Use interactive content like videos, infographics, and quizzes to engage learners.
d. Ensure accessibility by using mobile-friendly content and accessible training systems.
e. Provide performance support tools that allow employees to access information on-the-job.
Measuring Effectiveness
Measuring the effectiveness of microlearning is essential to understand whether it is producing the desired results. You can measure the effectiveness of the program by analyzing performance data and getting feedback from employees. Using this information, you can offer additional support on topics your learners aren’t grasping as quickly and ensure that your employees are retaining the essential knowledge and skills needed to be successful in their role.
Benefits of Microlearning in Onboarding
The benefits of microlearning in onboarding are numerous. One of the most significant benefits is that it boosts engagement and retention. Engaged employees are more likely to put in extra effort, leading to increased productivity and in turn increased profitability. Also, microlearning makes onboarding more efficient – reducing time and resources needed for training. Employees can complete their training sessions quickly and efficiently, allowing them to begin working on their core tasks.
Microlearning is a powerful tool for employee onboarding. It provides bite-sized content that engages learners, makes training more efficient, and is suitable for today’s modern, fast-paced world. Employers should begin by identifying the critical information that employees need to learn and develop interactive content that aligns with their learning style. With the right strategy and measurement tools in place, microlearning is sure to boost employee engagement, productivity, and organizational success. See how Wranx can support your training initiatives, book a call with our team to discuss here.
Successful employee onboarding: The science, benefits and tricks
Inductions for new starters can cover organization structure, HR procedures, health and safety, equipment overviews, job requirements, training and development programmes, meetings with colleagues and more. New starters can’t be expected to remember all of that in one go, though – our brains simply aren’t geared up for it. But, it’s important. Successful employee onboarding significantly improves employee morale, performance and retention, all of which have a positive effect on your organization’s bottom line.
Despite that, organization onboarding processes typically take a traditional, classroom-based approach to learning, with information given to new starters in big chunks. This is down to time and cost pressures, of course, but it’s counterintuitive because it costs more time and money in the long run through a lack of effectiveness and efficiency. But how can we make sure the onboarding we deliver is effective? And what makes it effective?
SCIENCE
For employee onboarding to be successful, new starters need to both take in and retain a large amount of information. We’ve known as far back as 1956 that we learn lots of info better when we break it up into small chunks. American psychologist George A. Miller termed this approach “chunking” and it’s the basis for what we today call “Microlearning”. Even further back in 1885, meanwhile, German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus had hypothesized that we forget up to half of what we learn within a matter of days and continue to forget information over time, albeit at a decreasing rate. The “Ebbinghaus Forgetting” Curve also suggested that the rate of forgetting is reduced each time newly learned information was reviewed, implying that knowledge retention can be improved with repeated exposure to information. This last insight underpins the modern-day learning technique Spaced Repetition.
APPROACHES
Microlearning
Microlearning breaks topics down into small pieces. It aids the learning process because it suits the brain’s ability to learn short, easily consumable segments, rather than overwhelming it with large volumes of new information in one go. For onboarding, microlearning could be delivered to a new starter’s work computer at their desk, or via a mobile app.
Personalized Spaced Repetition
Taking Microlearning a step further, learners can be tested on a topic, with the information they’ve failed to retain or recall shown to them again for reinforcement and information they have retained not shown again, or shown at rarer intervals. This is known as Spaced Repetition. By adapting it to a user’s needs, it becomes Personalized Spaced Repetition. Testing can be web or app-based, while prompts can be sent via email or as push notifications.
E-learning
There are a number of employee onboarding benefits to hosting learning materials and activities online. To begin with, new starters can access them from anywhere at any time, meaning learning is made more convenient and more effective. It also means they can revisit materials or activities to refresh their knowledge as required. Elsewhere, online platforms typically make it easy to track learner performance, meaning areas of weakness can be identified and addressed.
EMPLOYEE ONBOARDING BENEFITS
There are lots of benefits to ensuring the best possible employee onboarding process and they’re not just limited to benefits for the employer. Here are some of the biggest benefits for employers, employees, and customers.
Benefits For employers
- Acceleration: Employees are brought up to speed more quickly, adding value sooner.
- Productivity: Workforce performance is improved, meaning productivity increases.
- Retention: Employees are happier and more engaged, making them less likely to leave.
For employees
- Confidence: Employees have more belief in their abilities, are more comfortable in their roles and are happier.
- Performance: Employees are better equipped to deliver their roles and do so to a higher level.
- Belonging: Employees feel more engaged and more a part of the organization.
For customers
- Quality: Customers receive a better quality of product or service, improving company reputation.
- Responsiveness: Employees are able to respond to customer queries more quickly and with better answers.
- Communication: Employees can speak with customers more comfortably and more authoritatively
EMPLOYEE ONBOARDING TIPS
Start before they start
Don’t wait until a new employee’s first day to begin the onboarding process. When you invite candidates to interviews, you should give them information about the company and the role. Not only does this begin getting them up to speed, it builds enthusiasm and makes a strong first impression.
Involve everyone
Although a new starter will only be working in one role on one team, they are still a part of the organization as a whole and they need to feel like that is the case. Introducing them to different employees and teams is crucial for this. Other teams should also provide overviews of how they will work with new starters and the working processes involved. More broadly, it’s important to give starters a sense of the company’s culture, customers and place in the industry.
Keep it continuous
Delivering onboarding as a one-off event rather than an ongoing process not only makes it harder for new starters to remember everything they are told but puts them under more pressure to do so. By making it an ongoing or “revisitable” process, employees can continually refresh any areas of knowledge weakness that they think need addressing. What’s more, a greater sense of engagement and belonging is developed.
EASILY ONBOARD NEW STARTERS
Enhancing your onboarding initiatives with Wranx is a sure fire way of increasing productivity. Your new starters will quickly and confidently feel equipped to start working independently which will add value to your organization.
The benefits of onboarding your new starters with Wranx are:
– Quick and effective onboarding on products, policies, procedures and services
– Improved productivity
– Increased staff retention
– Enhanced confidence
– Increased performance
– Increased sense of belonging
To find out more about how Wranx can enhance your onboarding program click here.
How to Effectively Onboard New Staff: Your Guide to Success
Welcoming new staff members to your team is an exciting opportunity for growth and development. However, the onboarding process can make or break their initial experience with your organization. Effective onboarding is essential for setting the stage for long-term success, engagement, and productivity. In this blog post, we will explore the key steps and strategies you need to undertake to effectively onboard new staff smoothly, ensuring a smooth and impactful onboarding experience for your new hires.
1. Create a Structured Plan to Onboard New Staff
A structured onboarding plan is the foundation of a successful onboarding process. Start by defining clear objectives and goals for the onboarding period. Break down the plan into manageable steps, considering both company-wide essentials and department-specific requirements. This plan will serve as a roadmap, ensuring consistency and providing a sense of direction for both the new hires and the onboarding team.
Organizations with structured onboarding saw a 60% year-over-year improvement in revenue
Northpass
2. Begin to Onboard New Staff Before Day One
The onboarding process should start well before the new employee’s first day. Send a welcome email or package that includes relevant information, such as an employee handbook, company policies, and any pre-reading materials. Introduce them to their team members through a welcome email or video call, fostering a sense of belonging and connection even before they step foot in the office.
3. Provide a Comprehensive Orientation
A well-rounded orientation is essential to familiarize new employees with the company’s mission, values, culture, and structure. Conduct a comprehensive orientation session that covers everything from the company’s history to its current projects and future goals. Include presentations from key executives and department heads to provide a holistic understanding of the organization.
4. Tailor Onboarding Training to Individual Needs
Recognize that each new hire has unique skill sets, experiences, and learning styles. Tailor the training program to address their specific needs and ensure they receive the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their role. Offer a blend of formal training sessions, job shadowing opportunities, and hands-on assignments to enhance their learning experience.
5. Set Clear Expectations and Goals
To facilitate growth and performance, it is vital to establish clear expectations and goals for new hires. Clearly communicate the key responsibilities, performance metrics, and desired outcomes for their role. Regularly check in with them to ensure they understand their objectives and provide feedback on their progress.
60% Of Businesses Don’t Set Any Goals or Milestones for New Hires
Urban Bound
6. Foster Connections to Onboard New Staff
Encourage new employees to build relationships within the organization by providing networking opportunities. Organize team-building activities, lunches, or virtual meet-ups to facilitate interaction between new hires and their colleagues. This helps create a supportive and collaborative work environment, boosting morale and engagement.
7. Develop an Ongoing Support System
Onboarding does not end after the first few weeks. Implement an ongoing support system to ensure long-term success and integration into the organizational culture. Schedule regular check-ins with new hires to address any concerns or questions they may have. Provide opportunities for professional development and growth to demonstrate your commitment to their career progression.
9. Seek Feedback and Continuously Improve
To enhance your onboarding process, seek feedback from new hires about their experience. Conduct surveys or one-on-one interviews to gather insights into what worked well and areas for improvement. Actively listen to their feedback and make adjustments to the onboarding program accordingly. Continuous improvement is key to refining and optimizing your processes to onboard new staff over time.
10. Celebrate Milestones and Achievements
Acknowledge and celebrate key milestones and achievements reached by new hires during their onboarding journey. This can include recognizing the successful completion of training modules, hitting performance targets, or notable contributions to team projects. Celebration not only boosts morale but also reinforces a positive company culture that values and rewards hard work and dedication.
Great Employee Onboarding Can Improve Employee Retention by 82%
Brandon Hall Group
A well-executed onboarding process is an investment in the success of your new staff members and the overall growth of your organization. By creating a structured plan, providing comprehensive training, fostering connections, and offering ongoing support, you can ensure that your new hires feel welcome, engaged, and set up for long-term success. Remember, effective onboarding is a continuous process that requires regular evaluation and improvement to meet the evolving needs of your team and organization.
Wranx can provide an invaluable tool for training managers when onboarding new starters. The platform can provide a wealth of information in the form of interactive learning materials, quizzes and resources to help trainees understand key concepts quickly and easily. With Wranx’s analytics tools, managers can monitor the progress of each individual learner, giving them valuable feedback on what areas need additional attention or support. Wranx also allows managers to track the effectiveness of their onboarding program, so they can adjust it as needed and ensure that all new starters have a successful start to their new job. Ultimately, Wranx’s features help training managers create an engaging and informative onboarding process that helps new starters feel welcome and able to hit the ground running from day one.