Employees in an organization commonly encounter workplace problems. No matter which level a person is on the organizational chart, he or she probably had trouble in the workplace at least once. When management sees problems, they often turn to training as a first-line solution to all work-related problems without realizing that lack of knowledge is just one of the reasons for poor performance. In fact, there are many other performance improvement interventions that can fix work-related issues. This is where conducting needs analysis becomes important. Instructional designers frequently neglect this step in the ISD process for various reasons, such as low budget or lack of time. Prior to meeting with an instructional designer to discuss a new training course, managers should assess every situation they face at work and properly diagnose the root cause of the problem. Once the root is identified, it’ll be easier to decide on the appropriate method of correcting the … [Read more...] about Does Training Always Fix Workplace Problems?
Performance Improvement
Keeping Employees Engaged and Motivated: Proven techniques that improve performance
Do you feel motivated and engaged at work or do you go to work simply because you have to? According to research, less than 30% of all Americans are considered highly motivated and engaged employees. It is important that all supervisors know how to motivate their employees not just to become better performers, but also to become more engaged workers. Most employees have the need to be respected, they want to have opportunities for personal development, and they also want to establish positive relationships. Without a doubt, managers can easily help their employees achieve the goals mentioned above. First and foremost, managers should create a safe environment for employees to express their opinions. Managers should also help employees optimize their strengths and talents by offering opportunities to develop skills, experience and knowledge in areas of these strengths. Managers should show appreciation towards workers. We all want to feel valuable. If, for some reason, we don’t feel … [Read more...] about Keeping Employees Engaged and Motivated: Proven techniques that improve performance
Leveraging Performance Support Tools and “Just In Time” Training
Today, I want to talk about Performance Support. As we all know, the main difference between training and Performance Support is that training is trying to fill the gap between the missing and the needed knowledge while the Performance Support tools provide on the job support when it is needed. Unlike training, which often includes some of the “nice to know” information, Performance Support tools offer “just enough” assistance to get the job done. Naturally, Performance Support can be either Electronic (EPSS) or Paper-based. Instructional designers have been developing quick reference guides and job aids to supplement their training courses for ages. Nowadays, most of us are used to having the information available to us when we need it at any time and place. This is where the Electronic Support System comes in handy. Many EPSSs offer a contextual, step-by-step, immediate solution to people’s needs. When instructional designers conduct their initial meeting with the client, they … [Read more...] about Leveraging Performance Support Tools and “Just In Time” Training
Why Do Employees Forget Their Training?
When employees are sent to training, they are expected not just to retain the information, but also to be able to apply it to the job when they return from training. However, one of the major dilemmas with training is that trainees do not remember most of what they have learned in class. In this blog post, I will cover some of the most common reasons employees forget. The first and probably most common issue is that the training was not engaging enough to begin with, so employees could not concentrate on it. As a result, they did not gain much from it. To solve this issue, instructional designers should aim to make their training, even if it is plain and boring, interesting and engaging. This can be achieved through inserting lively but informative movie clips and role plays into the course. Additionally, short quizzes along the way may be helpful as they ensure that the learner is paying attention. To add additional spark to courses, instructional designers may consider serious … [Read more...] about Why Do Employees Forget Their Training?
How To Improve Employees’ Performance: Proven Techniques That Bring Results
Have you ever managed employees who were clearly underperforming? Unfortunately, poor performance of one employee can negatively affect other employees in the organization and have poor impact on the overall organizational performance. To help poor performers become high performers, managers need to identify the root cause of the problem. Even though it is easy to conclude that poor performance is a result of inadequate training, this is not always the case. In fact, motivation often plays key role in poor performance. So, what are some ways to remedy the problem? First, mangers need to carefully diagnose the root cause. If you notice that your employee lacks knowledge or skills in certain areas, you may consider assigning a mentor or offering a training course. However, if you suspect that the root cause of failing performance is motivation, you will have to work together with the employee to create a motivating environment through setting up performance goals, providing regular … [Read more...] about How To Improve Employees’ Performance: Proven Techniques That Bring Results
