The Importance of Consistent Training Across Global Offices
Companies with a single office can easily provide uniform training to their employees since everyone learns from the same trainers. However, organizations with multiple locations—sometimes spanning across forty countries—face a unique challenge. When training is delivered by different trainers in different places, it can lead to varied interpretations, affecting both training standards and the customer experience. To tackle this issue, corporate training videos have emerged as a solution, offering a single, reliable resource that can be shared globally while still allowing for local adaptations.
The Challenge of Maintaining Consistency
As organizations grow and expand, maintaining consistency in training can become tricky. When the quality of training relies on various individuals conveying the same information at different locations, inconsistencies can arise. Each trainer has their own style, and no two trainers will explain things in exactly the same way. This variation can multiply across regions, shifts, and changes in staff, leading to fragmented training experiences.
For companies operating globally, the consequences can be significant. Employees in one location might learn a process differently than others, resulting in gaps that could lead to mistakes and misunderstandings. Over time, standards may diverge, quality can fluctuate among different markets, and management may lose confidence in whether their policies are effectively communicated.
How Video Training Addresses These Issues
Video training offers a solution that other formats cannot match. Unlike live sessions that can change based on the trainer’s delivery, videos provide a uniform message every time they are viewed. They visually demonstrate procedures and can be accessed anytime, making them ideal for employees who work different shifts or in various time zones.
This consistency in messaging is essential for a distributed workforce. Employees across the globe can watch the same training video, learn the same processes, and receive the same communication from leadership. Once a video is created, it can be reused for onboarding new employees without needing to schedule multiple trainer sessions.
Adapting Training for Different Languages and Cultures
While consistency is key, it’s also important that every employee can engage with the training material effectively. Forcing everyone to learn in English may not be suitable for all markets, as many employees prefer content in their native language. Research shows that 76% of people feel more engaged when training materials are available in their own language.
Video training can be easily adapted in the following ways:
- Subtitles: This is an affordable way to help make training accessible in multiple languages.
- Re-voicing: New narration can be added while keeping the original visuals.
- Cultural adaptation: Examples and references can be tailored to resonate with local audiences.
These adaptations retain the core message while improving understanding.
Creating Effective Training Videos for a Global Audience
Organizations can choose to produce their own training videos or collaborate with specialized providers. The choice often comes down to available resources and specific localization needs.
For companies lacking the necessary internal team, working with an external training video production service that specializes in producing and adapting content for global reach can be beneficial. It’s crucial to plan for global usability right from the beginning. By structuring content for easy adaptation, organizations can avoid significant revisions later on.
Understanding the Return on Investment (ROI)
The efficiency of video training increases as the number of viewers grows. For instance, the cost of producing a training session for fifty employees is much higher per person than for thousands. Organizations should assess this investment based on its long-term benefits, focusing on three main aspects:
- Reach: How many employees and locations will benefit from the training.
- Shelf life: The duration for which the information remains relevant.
- Displaced costs: The savings from reduced trainer time, travel, scheduling, and repeated sessions.
The ability to use training materials repeatedly across various locations enhances their value.
When Local Expertise is Still Necessary
While video can standardize core messages, it can’t replace every training form. Some topics require local knowledge or hands-on practice. Procedures may differ based on local regulations, and certain physical tasks need supervision. Sensitive cultural topics may also benefit from local trainers who can connect more personally.
A hybrid approach works best. Utilize video for consistent policies and procedures, while delegating local training for specialized topics that require direct interaction or adaptation.
Conclusion
For businesses operating in different regions and languages, corporate training videos provide a valuable way to ensure consistency at scale. A single production can be used worldwide and easily adapted as the workforce expands. While video training doesn’t replace the need for localized instruction where it matters, it sets a solid foundation for all locations to build upon. For global leaders, the ease of access, adaptability, reuse, and consistent messaging make video an effective tool for workforce training.
