If you’re an L&D professional, you know that training is critical to employee development. It helps employees be their best and saves them money in the long run.
However, if you’re focused on the internal training of your team, then you need to catch up on one important segment of your extended enterprise: customers.
In-person training
In-person training is the traditional way of delivering knowledge to employees, often involving gathering participants in a single location for an instructor-led session. It may include interactive elements like flip charts or whiteboards, physical workbooks, and the latest learning technology.
While it’s true that many businesses offer online training, in-person training still has its place in the industry. For example, hands-on training is essential for a new employee to get up to speed quickly in medical and technical fields such as nursing or electrical engineering.
However, while in-person training is often the best choice for some, it can come with a steep price tag. This includes transportation, food and lodging costs, equipment, and other perks. Ultimately, it would help if you decided what’s right for your business and customers. Fortunately, there are several ways to do it with style while keeping the bottom line in mind. This is an important decision that should be made carefully and intelligently.
Online training
A popular and effective alternative to face-to-face training, online training is often delivered through an online learning management system (LMS). The LMS can provide learners with various interactive courses and multimedia elements accessed using an internet browser.
The key to making an online training program successful is aligning it with organizational goals and employee needs. This requires careful consideration of how to deliver the training efficiently and cost-effectively.
Another important factor is to ensure your online learning is a social experience rather than a cold, impersonal one. That means fostering interaction between peers and instructors through online discussion forums, live chats, virtual breakout rooms, and more.
Some learning personas thrive in a traditional classroom environment, while others prefer to study solo, away from distractions, and at their own pace. You can cater to both with a reliable LMS, ensuring a consistent approach and a successful training experience.
Self-service portals
Self-service portals are a great way to train customers to use your product. They also show your customers that you care about them and are committed to their satisfaction.
A self-service portal can include various content, including FAQs and troubleshooting tips. However, it should be structured and presented so users can quickly find the information they want.
Providing a search bar across every page is a great way to streamline the process for customers. It can also help them narrow their issue if they need to know exactly what they want.
You should update your resources regularly, especially if adding new products or services to your brand. This will ensure that customers can always get the information they need when they need it.
Ensure your customer self-service portal works on mobile phones and desktops so that customers can access information from anywhere. This will boost customer satisfaction and reduce ticket volumes.
Ongoing support
Keeping your customers happy is a top priority for any business. In this age of online shopping, offering a seamless customer experience at every touchpoint is even more crucial. Training, tools, and support are essential to success in this new, interconnected world. A top-of-the-line customer service department is the best way to ensure your brand is at the forefront of every customer’s mind. For starters, there are several free resources out there that can help you get up and running. Those include free training videos, FAQs, email support, and online help forums for more complicated issues. A solid customer service department also means you can respond to inquiries quickly and accurately. It also makes for a more engaged team and a happier customer base.
