As with anything new, there’s always a risk of alienating some people when first launching – and eLearning is no different. If your staff is used to a certain way of receiving their hospitality training, then making the change to eLearning could lead to some staff dropping off or feeling alienated. But that doesn’t have to be the case! We’ve laid out 5 steps to help you roll out your eLearning and keep your staff engaged along the way.
Talk to your staff
It sounds like a simple step, but you’d be surprised how often it gets overlooked. For you staff to not feel alienated, they need training content which truly adds value to them. Hospitality training is only effective when it is of use. Talk to your staff to see if they’re interested in topics around front office, culinary or housekeeping, to name but a few. Having hospitality training which your staff want and need will reduce any worries they might have had and make rolling out your eLearning a breeze.
Allow time for offline guidance or mentoring
Elearning is great. However, sometimes a little extra help is needed, and this is where one of the greatest pitfalls for alienation can occur. You don’t want your staff to feel as though they have been left to their own devices with eLearning. Sometimes a more in-depth training session is required. Bear this in mind and allot time for offline guidance or mentoring. Make it clear to your staff that they can always approach you for further training or help should the need arise.
Multilingual content is key
Teams are more diverse and multicultural than ever, especially larger companies spanning different locations. Your eLearning should therefore reflect this and allow you to train your staff in their native language. Your staff being able to learn in your own language will immediately put them at ease. By providing your hospitality training in multiple languages, your staff have the power to learn at their own pace and fully understand and digest what is being presented to them. You remove the risk of any possible miscommunication. Ensuring that what is being taught it learnt, absorbed and most important of all, retained.
Give your staff what they need, not what you want!
Reiterating our first point, for hospitality training to be effective it needs to be wanted. Providing training which provides real value and assists your staff in their role will lead to engagement and to you seeing real results. Another important point to bear in mind is how that training it delivered. Find out the best way to train your staff through eLearning. Is it by video? Quizzes? Images? Try out different options and give your staff the freedom to learn their way.
Consider making it optional
Let’s face it, no-one likes to feel that they’ve been forced to complete something. For your staff to feel included and be willing to learn they need to not feel that this is a forced experience. Strike that perfect balance of provided them with this new eLearning experience but allow them the freedom to explore it themselves. To take their time and not feel rushed or that it’s been thrown into their laps.
If you follow these 5 easy steps you’ll be well on your way to delivering your hospitality training and reducing the risk of any of your staff feeling alienated. Why not check out our blog on How You Can Start Hospitality eLearning For Free to start your eLearning journey!