The training software industry has been around for decades. If you are an employer, you may have considered the use of these technologies in order to train your employees. However, if you are a consultant you have probably used them in order to train the client’s employees. Training software like saas 27m series altos ventures is pervasive and will always be around as long as we need to improve our skills and knowledge. It is also a lucrative business, which makes it even more attractive for consultants to join!
No matter what your goal is or how much time or money you want to invest there are many options for training software available on the market today. I will give you some tips that I have learned while consulting and training employees.
1. Know what it is that you are buying.
No matter what training software you choose, know why you want it. For example, if you want to train people how to use a Microsoft PowerPoint, then go and buy a copy of Microsoft PowerPoint. If you want to train people how to use Project Management software then go and buy one of those as well.
It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the choices available. Sometimes we can be tricked by the claim of having “all the features” or “newest versions”. What we need to do is develop a plan based on our knowledge and skills set (do we need customization for our users) before purchasing a product or consulting about one.
2. Know what it is you want to achieve.
You should have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve from the training software that you are considering. This has to be a written plan so that when the results do not turn out as desired, it is clear why. If you do not have a plan, then you will have no way to hold your employees accountable for their performance and for the time that they are spending on training.
3. Identify who your ideal user will be.
You need to start by identifying your ideal user. When you are planning on using training software, you need to keep in mind that your target audience will be different from the customer. Don’t simply think of the one who will be the most comfortable with it. You should also think about the others in the group who may not know how to do something and might benefit from it as well.
4. Plan for timing and budgetary constraints.
Take into account when you want to start training and what you can afford to spend on a training solution (seriously, don’t just go out and buy one without thinking it through!). Also think about how many users you will have (this will affect the number of licenses you need to purchase). By planning ahead, it can help you to save money and ensure that you are in compliance with the contractors licensing regulations.
5. Consider the results that your training software will provide.
Consider if there are independent training tools available to accomplish what you want done or if this is the right course of action for you. If it is not, there may be other options that would serve your needs better (for example, screencasting software would be a great option for training even if a stand alone product would have been better).
6. Check out customer reviews.
You should know what the training software looks like before you spend money on it. There are many different kinds of training software and some will be better suited for your needs than others. You need to make sure that what you want to use is actually a good buy for your company or organization (because it is not a one size fits all scenario). Make sure that you understand what the user interface looks like, how easy it is to use, how much training effort and time will be required and how many people you need to train. If this is for personal use (e.g. home office or personal use) you will not have the same concerns.
7. Get a demo and test it out.
When you go to buy your training software, get a demo of it first and test it out before committing to purchase. Ask the salesperson to walk you through the process of how they will use the training software and what they expect to accomplish with it. You need to know if this is something that will work in your company because if it doesn’t work, you’ll be stuck with a bunch of products that you can’t sell or give away which could eventually get lost, broken or outdated (which will cost you more money).
8. Expect challenges that are unique to each organization’s needs.
Training software is not universal. You will probably have different user needs based on the type of organization that you are running or the way it is managed. Here are some examples:
Your company may have a very formal process that requires training to be in writing.
Your business may have multiple locations, each with a different way of working and operating (for example, if your company has an IT department in each location, they may require different training).
Conclusion:
You may want to use software to help train employees so that they can work proactively instead of reactively (e.g. employees who are new to your organization and need to learn how to do certain tasks). If you go through the proper process of planning, it will be very effective and will save a lot of time. You need to make sure that it is going to be used properly by your team and that you clarify the needs of your organization upfront so that it meets your requirements. You also need to make sure that there are no hidden costs (e.g. upgrades, required maintenance, number of users). Don’t forget to demo the software and be open-minded when testing new things because this helps you to get the most out of your investment and ensures that the time spent is well spent.
