How Video Content Impacts Training & Operations

Today’s workers engage the world in an increasingly visual manner. Effective training programs take advantage of that trend It’s no secret that one of the biggest challenges retailers face today is staffing. According to a recent survey conducted by consulting firm Korn Ferry, nearly a third of retail industry respondents (29 percent) said they’ve seen an increase in employee turnover since the beginning of 2018. The issue is particularly serious when it comes to part-time hourly positions, which saw an average turnover rate of 81 percent for the year, up from 76 percent in 2017. The costs of turnover are significant. Trade journal Human Resources Today says recruiting, hiring and training new employees costs retailers as much as $19 billion a year.  When asked how they are addressing the turnover challenge, respondents to the Korn Ferry survey cited training as one of their top focus areas. And more and more, training programs are being built around video content.  The publication Training Journal cites several benefits to video-based training programs compared with traditional methods. Bitesize video content can be paused, allowing the learner to work at a speed that’s comfortable for them, go back and review complicated content and to stop and absorb key points.  In addition, video content is simply more effective than other training methods. According to Forrester Research, employees are 75 percent more likely to watch a video than to read documents, emails or Web articles. Educational software company Panopto found that video helps companies keep training materials consistent, especially for large, geographically dispersed organizations.  And with the increasing prevalence of handheld tablets and mobile devices in the retail environment, the ability to incorporate a video-based training program is becoming easier than ever.  Retail technology firm Multimedia Plus, for example, recently debuted INCITE 5.0, the latest version of its INCITE mobile Associate Communications Platform. A number of major retail brands have already chosen INCITE as their primary platform to train and improve communications with front-line sales associates via interactive, in-store mobile devices. INCITE helps retailers train associates via state-of-the-art features including: 
  • Video without streaming
  • Drag and drop publishing
  • Branded experiences
  • Real-time data
  • Quick and easy deployment
  • Security and scalability
 In addition to helping create an improved shopping experience for consumers, the INCITE platform provides managers and executives with access to data-rich metrics from bite-sized video-based communications and training programs. They can then measure that data against key performance indicators at levels ranging from individual associates to the entire organization, using those measurements to make informed decisions that will drive growth.