Most business leaders will agree that developing the commercial skills of a workforce is pivotal in maintaining operations to a high standard as well as improving employee engagement.
By developing the commercial acumen of a workforce, employees will become aware of exactly how the business operates and how the industry is evolving in order to perform better. When it comes to commercial skills training, there are always new and innovative ways in which leaders can improve learning retention and ensure that their programmes are delivering a substantial ROI.
We’ve identified three effective methods that business leaders can utilise to improve their commercial skills training programmes.
Experiential learning over traditional learning
Employees are unlikely to retain the key information they need to develop as part of commercial skills training if they do not participate in engaging activities and workshops. Traditional methods of training tend to overwhelm individuals with waves of information without giving them the opportunity to cooperate with other employees, take responsibility for important decisions and accurately assess their performance.
Experiential learning, however, enables employees to partake in activities that position them in a risk-free environment where they are encouraged to make decisions related to the business and broader industry. The benefit of doing this is that employees are more likely to recall their training experiences when carrying out real-life tasks.
Inclusive competitor analysis methods
As well as developing an in-depth knowledge of the business and how it operates as well as evolving industry news, taking the time to implement a useful competitor analysis as part of commercial skills training can benefit an entire organisation.
Although competitor analysis is typically carried out by those in management positions, giving an entire workforce the opportunity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of other businesses in the industry can open up new and creative ideas to remain competitive in the market as well as improving overall knowledge of the industry.
Microlearning and digital solutions
Advancements in technology mean it is easier than ever for employees to develop their skills away from their desks, in a flexible environment. In doing this, employees are able to digest information in small doses in a way that suits them best.
By implementing microlearning methods into commercial skills training, business leaders will begin to see more tangible results as employees will be continually developing their knowledge in order to improve in their roles, without the pressure of having to take in masses of information at once.
While there are many ways in which business leaders can provide effective commercial skills training for their employees, there appears to be a familiar formula for success: employee inclusion. By giving a workforce the opportunity to actively engage and work with the flexibility to develop in a way most suited to them, leaders are more likely to see a significant ROI in their training programmes.