Using video exclusively for training and development is no longer a revolutionary idea.

There is no question that we are seeing adjustments in our workforce.  Employees are not willing to compromise on what they want or need to stay engaged and satisfied with their work.  As a result, employers need to adjust quickly to accommodate the move away from traditional training and development.

Because employees are now in dispersed locations and bring different cultures and expectations to their employers’, organizations must realize the need to diversify how they shift, upskill and re-skill employees.  Quality of the work offered is key for our talent, but perhaps more importantly, how that work is being elevated, reimagined and delivered is critical.  

Why Organizations Use Video to Train Employees

Video is the pathway to this evolution.  When employees begin a new career path and move into new roles, they most likely will be improving their current skills or building upon them. All of this learning and exposure can be done through video.  Long gone are the days of classroom training with a one size fits all curriculum. 

Increased Workforce Engagement

Videos offer better engagement. Research by Forrester shows that employees and the HR system will feel better watching a video by up to 75% than read emails or web articles. In short, if you want your employees to enjoy the training, you must make it engaging and interesting, and that’s exactly what videos can do.

Ease of Delivery

Video can deliver content quickly and efficiently to workers—no matter where they are, what their time zone or whether they are new hires or tenured employees.  Imagine how difficult it can be to get your team together at the same time and venue, particularly when you have more than 100 employees. 

Tailored Training Opportunities

Content can be in the employee’s native language, making learning easier and more fluid.  Visuals within the video can be culturally relevant so the employee can connect with the presenter.  Content can be specific and customized, so everyone gets what they need to support their career development or role.  The pace of video content can also support different learning styles.  Keep in mind, not all training needs to be via an asynchronous video. We can still deliver live stream video sessions that allow employees to interact, connect and build relationships.  The beauty of video is the diversity it offers—no matter what stage of development the employee is in.

Video Training is Economical

From a purely practical perspective, training the traditional way can be costly. Video on demand can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Learning can be at the employee’s pace. Additionally,  they don’t have to travel and compromise their workstream. Videos can help employees increase productivity.

When we embrace the changing tides and find ways to be inclusive on how we disseminate development and opportunities for employees via video communication we not only open the door to retaining talent, we enable the attraction of diverse talent who will enrich our organizations.  

Video as a training and development tool is here to stay.

Mercy Noah is Vice President, Human Capital, Qumu