As a small business owner, you're always looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality. You may be hesitant to invest in employee training software because of the cost. However, you should consider the return on investment (ROI) that employee training can provide.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of employee training and how a training software platform can help your business grow.

What are the hidden costs of improper or no employee training programs?

As the owner of a small business, it’s easy to get caught up in the costs associated with employee training. Whether you’re investing in employee training software or onboarding a new employee, there are certainly upfront costs that need to be taken into consideration.

But what many business owners fail to consider are the hidden costs associated with inadequate employee training.

Without proper employee training, you run the risk of lower employee morale and productivity, costly mistakes, and customer dissatisfaction—all of which can have a huge impact on your bottom line.

Plus, employee training is an important part of employee retention, which can be a major financial burden. Failing to invest in employee training can cause employee turnover quickly, leaving you constantly struggling to fill open positions. Here's why:

Poor or no employee training can lead to increased turnover in several ways:

1. Low job satisfaction: If employees don't receive proper training, they may feel unprepared to do their job effectively. This can lead to frustration, stress, and a lack of job satisfaction. Employees who are unhappy with their job are more likely to quit.
2. Inability to perform well: Without proper training, employees may struggle to meet the expectations of their job, leading to poor job performance. Poor job performance can cause employees to feel like they aren't making a valuable contribution to the company, leading to job dissatisfaction and ultimately increased turnover.
3. Lack of professional development: Without proper training, employees may not have the opportunity to develop their skills and grow professionally. This lack of professional development can lead to boredom and a lack of career advancement opportunities, making employees more likely to leave for a job that offers these things.
4. Increased turnover of new employees: If new employees are not properly trained, they may feel overwhelmed and unsupported. This can lead to a higher turnover rate for new employees who are not given the proper training and support they need to succeed.

‍

How does investing in employee training software help small businesses?

Investing in employee training software is one of the best ways to ensure your employee training program is effective and consistent. The most obvious way employee training software can help you is by saving time and money. With a quality training program in place, onboarding new employees becomes easier and faster.

By using employee training software, you can easily create onboarding programs for new employees that are tailored to their specific job role, eliminating confusion and ensuring they’re up-to-date on company policies and procedures.

Proper employee training can help get a new hire up to speed and confident in their new role faster in several ways:

1. Clear understanding of job responsibilities: Proper training provides new employees with a clear understanding of their job responsibilities, including what is expected of them, what tasks they need to perform, and how to perform them effectively. This clarity helps new hires feel more confident in their abilities and reduces the time it takes for them to get up to speed.
2. Knowledge of company policies and procedures: Training helps new hires understand the company's policies and procedures, including its culture, values, and mission. This understanding helps new hires fit into the company culture more quickly and feel like they are part of the team.
3. Improved job performance: Effective training provides new hires with the skills and knowledge they need to perform their job effectively. This can help them become productive more quickly and achieve better job performance, which in turn increases their confidence in their abilities.
4. Faster adaptation to the work environment: Proper training can help new hires understand the work environment, including the tools and technology used in the job. This understanding helps new hires adapt more quickly to their new work environment and feel more comfortable and confident in their role.
5. Opportunities for feedback and support: Good training provides new hires with opportunities for feedback and support, allowing them to ask questions and receive guidance when needed. This feedback and support can help new hires build confidence in their abilities and feel more comfortable in their new role.

‍

You can also take advantage of employee training software to deliver consistent employee training throughout the year, keeping employees up-to-date on any changes or updates in your company.

A good training software can keep employees up to date with ongoing training in several ways, proving useful beyond the initial new hire onboarding and training:

1. Customized learning paths: A good training software allows employers to create customized learning paths that address the specific needs of their employees. These learning paths can include ongoing training on new processes, technology, or skills that are required for the job. This ongoing training helps employees stay up to date with the latest developments in their field, keeping them engaged and invested in their work.
2. Automated reminders: A good training software can send automated reminders to employees when it is time to complete their training. This feature ensures that employees don't forget about their training and that they stay up to date with ongoing training.
3. Mobile accessibility: With a good training software, employees can access their training modules from anywhere and at any time, making it easy for them to fit training into their busy schedules. This flexibility ensures that employees can stay up to date with their training without disrupting their workflow.
4. Tracking progress: A good training software allows employers to track the progress of their employees' training. This feature provides employers with real-time information on the completion status of their employees' training, ensuring that everyone is up to date with their training.
5. Reporting and analytics: A good training software can provide employers with reporting and analytics that track the effectiveness of their training programs. This information can help employers identify areas for improvement in their training programs and adjust their ongoing training accordingly.

‍

Finally, employee training software can help you track employee progress quickly and easily—giving you a better understanding of employee performance, which can be used to make necessary improvements.

Employee training software boosts accountability by being able to track and report what training employees have completed in several ways:

1. Ensuring completion: With training software, employers can create customized training programs for their employees and assign specific training modules to them. This feature ensures that employees complete the required training modules and that the training is delivered consistently across the organization.
2. Real-time tracking: Training software tracks the progress of employees in real-time, allowing employers to monitor whether their employees are completing their training on time. This feature ensures that employees are accountable for completing their training and that they are meeting the organization's training requirements.
3. Identifying knowledge gaps: Training software can also track the results of the training modules completed by employees, providing employers with insights into the knowledge gaps of their employees. This feature helps employers identify areas where employees need additional training, ensuring that employees have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their job effectively.
4. Compliance reporting: Some training software can provide employers with compliance reports, showing which employees have completed their required training and which have not. This feature ensures that employers can demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements, protecting the organization from potential legal liabilities.
5. Performance improvement: By tracking employee training, training software can help identify opportunities for performance improvement. Employers can use this information to develop training programs that address specific areas where employees need improvement, ensuring that the organization has a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

‍

How to measure the return on investment of employee training

The return on investment of employee training software will depend on the specific software you choose and how it’s implemented.

To ensure you get the most bang for your buck, track employee performance before and after implementing employee training software.

Here are ten ways to measure the ROI (Return on Investment) of employee training software:

1. Increased productivity: Measure the increase in employee productivity after they have completed the training. Compare their output before and after the training to determine if there is an increase in productivity.
2. Reduced turnover rate: Measure the reduction in the employee turnover rate after implementing training software. This will help you determine the cost savings associated with retaining employees.
3. Improved job satisfaction: Measure the increase in job satisfaction among employees who have completed the training. This will help you determine the impact of the training on employee morale.
4. Enhanced employee engagement: Measure the increase in employee engagement levels after implementing the training software. This will help you determine the impact of the training on employee motivation.
5. Cost savings: Calculate the cost savings associated with training software, such as reduced travel costs and decreased costs of training materials.
6. Increased revenue: Measure the increase in revenue associated with improved employee performance after the training. This will help you determine the impact of the training on the bottom line.
7. Better compliance: Measure the increase in compliance with regulations and company policies after the training. This will help you determine the cost savings associated with avoiding penalties and fines.
8. Reduced errors: Measure the decrease in errors made by employees after completing the training. This will help you determine the impact of the training on reducing mistakes and waste.
9. Improved customer satisfaction: Measure the increase in customer satisfaction levels after the training. This will help you determine the impact of the training on customer experience.
10. Time savings: Calculate the time savings associated with training software, such as the reduction in training time and the ability to provide training to multiple employees simultaneously.

‍

At the end of the day, investing in employee training isn’t just about cost savings—it’s about creating a safe and productive work environment that employees are proud to be part of. Investing in employee training software is one of the best ways to make sure employee training programs are effective and consistent, resulting in a great return on investment.

Take the time to consider your employee training needs and explore employee training software that can help you create an efficient and successful employee onboarding program. You won’t regret it!

Is there a difference between onboarding and training?

You bet there is! Onboarding is the process of welcoming and orienting new employees to a company's culture, work environment, and employee policies. It involves everything from introducing them to their team members and teaching them the basics of how to use your software. Training, on the other hand, takes employee knowledge to the next level and helps existing staff stay up to date on the latest best practices and technologies.

So why should small business owners invest in employee training software? It's simple: employee training is an investment, not a cost! With employee training software, businesses can save time and money by streamlining onboarding processes, creating custom learning plans tailored to each employee’s individual needs and interests, and providing a comprehensive training platform that employees can access whenever they need it.

And employee training software isn’t just good for employee productivity; it also encourages employee engagement and morale. By giving employees the opportunity to learn new things, develop their skills, and take ownership of their job performance, employee training software helps create an employee-focused environment where everyone is working together to reach their common goals.

What about an LMS? Is a learning management system the same as a training management system?

No, they are not. An LMS is a platform that helps companies create and deliver up-skilling courses for learning and development; while a training management system tracks employee performance, progress, and completion of training processes and content specifically related to their role and responsibilities.

With employee training software, businesses can offer their employees the best in onboarding and employee training while also meeting their own objectives for cost savings because most learning management systems cater to larger enterprises—in both functionality and pricing. Investing in employee training software can pay huge dividends for small and growing businesses, helping them stay competitive and fostering an employee-centric culture. And that’s something every business should strive for!

So if you're a small business owner or leader looking to maximize your return on employee training, you don't really need an LMS. You need a system purpose-built for small businesses that makes process documentation easy so you can get your company playbook built faster. And then from there, onboarding and training is a breeze.

Should employee training software replace in-person training?

Absolutely not. The goal of employee training software is to supplement in-person training, not replace it entirely. In-person training continues to be an essential part of employee development and onboarding, as it allows for direct interaction between trainers and trainees.

Employee training software can complement in-person training, making the in-person experience more meaningful and effective over the long term in several ways:

1. Reinforcing key concepts: Employee training software can reinforce key concepts covered during in-person training sessions. Employees can use the software to review and reinforce the information they learned during in-person training, helping them to retain the information and apply it to their work more effectively.
2. Providing ongoing learning opportunities: In-person training sessions typically provide a one-time learning opportunity, while employee training software can provide ongoing learning opportunities. By using the software, employees can continue to learn and develop their skills over time, making the in-person training experience more meaningful and effective over the long term.
3. Supporting remote learning: In-person training may not be practical or feasible for remote or geographically dispersed employees. Employee training software can provide remote learning opportunities, allowing these employees to participate in training sessions and develop their skills.
4. Flexibility in scheduling: In-person training may be scheduled at a time that is inconvenient for some employees. Employee training software provides flexibility in scheduling, allowing employees to complete the training at a time that is convenient for them. This flexibility ensures that all employees have the opportunity to participate in training sessions, making the in-person experience more effective over the long term.
5. Measuring progress and effectiveness: Employee training software can measure the progress and effectiveness of in-person training sessions. By tracking the progress of employees using the software, employers can determine whether the in-person training sessions are effective in achieving their objectives. This information can be used to improve the content and delivery of future in-person training sessions, making them more meaningful and effective over the long term.

‍

Ultimately, employee training software should be seen as a valuable tool, not a replacement for traditional employee training methods. By using employee training software in conjunction with in-person training, small businesses can create an environment of learning and growth that is beneficial to both employee and employer.

So if you're looking for a way to maximize employee training while also staying within budget, employee training software may be the solution you've been searching for. Give it a try today—you won't be disappointed!

Revamping your training process to make it world-class

Are you ready to take employee training in your business to the next level? Here are a few tips for revamping your employee training program with employee training software: 

• Measure employee performance. Use employee training software to measure employee performance and progress, so that you can track their success and address any potential issues.

• Develop a comprehensive employee onboarding process. Use employee training software to create an onboarding program that covers all the key points, from company culture and values to product knowledge.

• Ensure employee engagement. Incorporate gamification elements into employee training software to ensure employee engagement and increase retention of information.

• Embrace current technologies. Use employee training software to capitalize on the latest technologies, such as virtual reality and AI-driven learning.

• Provide employee feedback. In order for employee training to be effective, employees need regular feedback. Utilize employee training software to provide immediate feedback and foster an open dialogue between trainers and trainees.

By implementing employee training software, you can create a comprehensive employee training program that meets the needs of your business and employees. Start today in order to give your small business the competitive edge it deserves!

Tips for implementing employee training in your small business

Ready to invest in employee training software? Here are a few tips for getting started:

1. Identify your employee training needs: What areas need improvement and how can employee training help?

2. Research employee training software: Look for platforms (like Trainual) that are tailored to your specific needs.

3. Set realistic employee training goals: This will help you measure employee performance and the return on investment of employee training software.

4. Train your employees: Invest in employee training to ensure they’re up-to-date on company policies and procedures.

5. Track employee progress: Use employee training software to track employee progress quickly and easily.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful employee onboarding and training program with employee training software. Good luck!

Employee training is an important investment in any small business, but it can be difficult to know where to start.

How do I build the best employee training program?

By investing in employee training software, small businesses can ensure their employee onboarding and training program is successful. Employee training software makes it easier to document processes, measure employee performance, and track employee progress—resulting in a more efficient, productive work environment for everyone.

So if you’re looking to invest in training, employee training software is the way to go! With employee training software, small businesses can enjoy improved employee morale and satisfaction while also saving time and money. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!  Good luck building the best employee training program for your small business!

Training materials to prepare for your team

• Step-by-step tutorials on how to use the employee training software
• Videos of employee onboarding and training process best practices
• Practical exercises to help employees become comfortable with the employee training software
• FAQs about employee training software tools and processes
• Interactive quizzes to test employee knowledge

Do I need an in-house training manager?

No, employee training software can help you establish an effective employee onboarding and training process without the need for a dedicated in-house trainer.

The employee training software makes it easy to create and manage employee onboarding courses and track employee progress quickly and efficiently.  And if you do decide to hire a dedicated employee training manager, they will be able to use employee training software to help manage and track employee onboarding and training more effectively.

Whether you decide to go with employee training software or hire an employee trainer, investing in employee training is a smart move for any small business.

With employee training software, you can ensure that your employees are up-to-date on company policies and procedures and are well-equipped with the skills necessary to effectively do their jobs. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!  Good luck in your employee training endeavors!

So why wait? Invest in employee training software today and get ready to start seeing employee engagement and performance improve right away.

What online employee training software is right for my small business?

Trainual makes this process simple, fun, and educational by providing software that does all the work for you. All you have to do is input your knowledge into our platform for it will be easily accessible to everyone on your team. You can also share training with new employees quickly and easily so they can get up to speed fast.

Trainual is easy-to-use and helps you get organized so you can focus on what’s important - running your business. Stop wasting time trying to remember everything or tracking down old emails with information that’s no longer relevant. Let Trainual help you build a library of company knowledge connected to training that will scale with your business.

Invest in online employee training software today and start seeing the return on investment tomorrow.

So, what are you waiting for? Investing in employee training software is a smart move to ensure your small business succeeds! With employee training software like Trainual, there’s no need to worry about employee onboarding or training pains anymore.

Start training your employees today to see the results tomorrow!

Ready to start employee training with employee training software?

Sign up for a free 7-day trial of Trainual today to get started!

‍