The concept of online virtual training all started in the 90s when people around the world started communicating with each other through an internet connection. Back in the day, this was a completely new and innovative method of communication. But now, the idea of virtual communication has become a norm and we would be lost without it.
Even major and mom-and-pop companies are turning to virtual training for corporate businesses. If this is something you have yet to incorporate into your company, it might be time to consider adding a virtual training platform to make business run more smoothly. Before you invest, it is important to know about the pros, cons, and overall value of virtual training for corporate businesses.
The Advantages of Virtual Training
The most obvious advantage of investing in a virtual training program for your company is that distance is no longer a problem. You’ll no longer have to deal with the hassles that come with geography. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you can access a virtual training program from any location as long as you have a device and an internet connection.
Take the major corporation Airbnb as an example. Many of Airbnbs representatives work in Southeast Asia, specifically in the Philippines since Filipinos generally have perfect English speaking skills. They also outsource much of their work to India, as many large corporations do to save a buck or two.
If Airbnb wanted to train their Filipino employees on the ins and outs of customer service for the company, this is easily accomplished through a virtual training program. It does not matter that the Airbnb headquarters are in San Francisco, they are able to train their employees in the Philippines, India, or Australia with no problems at all.
Solving geographic issues is not the only perk, though. Here are a few more major advantages of investing in virtual training:
- Greater connectivity through cloud-based data sharing
- Real-time skill development and lessons that fit with the trainee’s needs and schedule
- Peer-to-peer learning and immediate feedback from the trainers
The Disadvantages of Virtual Training
There are a few disadvantages to virtual training programs, especially if you invest in the wrong one. A major problem is that the market is becoming oversaturated with VT providers, so it is extremely important to do your research before signing up for a program. Some VT providers are much better than others.
On top of that, some people feel that virtual training is not as through as in-person verbal training. It also lacks the social interaction that is offered by an in-person training session. However, you need to think about your specific company’s needs.
If you are an extremely small company based in one location with just a few employees, you can probably train your employees from the office. But if you are a major corporation with employees and business partners all over the world, you’ll need virtual training if you’re hoping to train your new and existing employees as best as possible.
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