Coronavirus: 3 Ways to Sustain Training for Remote Workers
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been detected on every continent, except Antarctica. Over the past week alone, confirmed cases have been reported in at least nine states. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warn that it’s just a matter of time before all states will be affected.
In a bid to curb the spread of the virus, cities and municipalities across the U.S. may follow the lead of China’s business community by voluntarily closing their offices and requesting that employees telecommute. Telecommuting is a fairly common workplace benefit and many organizations already offer some version of a “work from home” program. However, telecommuting can pose challenges, especially if organizations are pressured to roll out such a program with little to no planning.
One aspect of any telecommuting leadership training program that needs to be thoroughly considered is employees’ access to meaningful learning and development. This is particularly relevant if your organization is currently investing in on-site skills development training. Traditional training is not easily accessible to those employees who are working remotely, and courses offered through a Learning Management System (LMS) are limited in their ability to offer opportunities for employees to engage each other and collaborate. “Remote employees need to feel visible and connected,” says Natalie Loeb, CEO of Loeb Leadership. “Although employees may appreciate the benefits associated with a remote working arrangement, they can quickly feel isolated and ill-prepared.”
But there are things you can do to keep your employees connected and engaged in ongoing remote learning. Below are our suggestions.
1. Digital Learning. Don’t confuse this with traditional eLearning. Advancements in the digital learning space have yielded cutting edge learning platforms that retain the most impactful aspects of classroom training: participant engagement with each other and with the facilitator. “The options available today are astounding,” says David Robert, Chief Strategy Officer at Loeb Leadership. “Participants can immerse themselves in a remote learning environment in which they collaborate with colleagues, engage with an experienced facilitator, and receive real-time coaching.” And it helps that digital-based leadership training can be delivered at a fraction of classroom-based training.
2. Virtual Team Training. To address the potential feeling of isolation that often comes with telecommuting, teams can assemble via a video meeting platform and engage with a subject matter expert. These interactive engagements can cover a wide range of topics such as team building, problem solving, or a targeted skill. Virtual team training is an easy way for remote teams to connect and collaborate in meaningful skills development that positively impacts the individual, the team, and the organization.
3. Online Team Simulations. Simulations focus on leadership skills training and strategic thinking for employees at all levels. Through data visualizations, explorations, and predictive analytics, business simulations focus on enabling organizations to understand and improve their decision-making. “Simulations are a powerful tool,” says Loeb, “that organizations can leverage to expose employees to the complexities of real business problems while maintaining a fun and motivating experience.” Simulations have been around for some time but recent advancements in business intelligence and predictive modeling software have catapulted simulations into a new sphere of sophistication. “People love puzzles and games,” says Robert. “And learning through the gamification of real business challenges is an effective way to transfer skills in a fun and highly engaging process.”
No one truly knows what the future holds in terms of the spread of COVID-19, but it’s important we begin developing mitigation plans. And if remote working becomes part of your plan, know that you have options to keep your employees connected and engaged in ongoing learning. If you’d like to learn more about the options available to you, let’s talk. Drop us an email at info@loebleadership.com.