Technology has changed almost every aspect of our lives. The ways we communicate, travel, play, and work would be unrecognizable to our grandparents when they were our age. The high-tech computer (aka iPhone) that I now hold in my hand was a Jetsons-era fantasy only a few decades ago. Speaking of the Jetsons, my robot vacuum is named Rosie after their trusty housekeeper, offering yet another example of how technology supports my daily life. 

With all of our advancements in technology in our daily lives, we have to turn our attention to how we coach and train in our businesses. Forcing antiquated methods of training and coaching in 2021 will not work. Training isn’t what it used to be and if you do what you’ve always done, you’re going to fail. There are better methods that use technology to increase retention and maximize efficiency. 

New Technology for Better Training

Technology has allowed us to get better and safer in many areas of our lives.

Think back to when you learned to drive. You likely studied material from a book, took a class, and had time in the car to practice under supervision. Then, you got behind the wheel, learned how to stay in your own lane, and were able to perform a variety of driving tasks when asked. The time you spent learning to drive was (hopefully) a valuable experience and you passed your driving test. 

After the test, you’re on your own. There are infinite scenarios when it comes to driving and not all of them can be covered in Driver’s Ed. Everybody makes mistakes and it’s likely that you’ve made some.

Now, cars have the technology to provide in-the-moment coaching. Lane assistance helps guide drivers back into their lane when they start to wander. Backup cameras and auditory alerts direct drivers while in reverse. The car won’t lock if there are keys inside. Through new technology, Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), the car provides hands-on training to make you a better driver who never locks their keys in the car. 

The in-the-moment training is proven to work. I have not locked myself out of my car in almost a decade and ADAS has been reported to reduce injury claim frequency by 27 percent. That’s a massive improvement with a positive effect on millions of people.

Meeting the Minimum Has Consequences

The old-fashioned “once a year” lecture-style training—or worse, reading a manual upon onboarding method—is not sustainable. Companies cannot expect to elevate company culture or improve compliance with these methods. The training becomes monotonous and employees forget most of the information (if they even consume it at all). 

Companies merely meeting the minimum with training can cause employees to feel like they aren’t valued or appreciated. Plus, if the company doesn’t care to invest in relevant training sessions, why should employees invest their time and attention? 

Traditional training often doesn’t take into consideration the digital nature of the modern workplace. For example, sexual harassment training can do wonders to improve company culture, but failing to address digital interactions is a huge miss. 

While remote work can make employees feel safer, it also has proven to increase sexually inappropriate interactions between employees. Hidden behind a screen, some people gain a new boldness. The face-to-face politeness is gone and the likelihood of abuse rises—especially without the proper training to recognize what is appropriate and what’s not. 

Technology is not the enemy. In fact, leveraging technology is the best way to solve the problems that have stemmed out of our increasingly digital world.

Applications that support in-the-moment training and provide context and relevance to the workplace are the best way to learn. Thankfully, there are tools out there, like Fairwords, that provide this much-needed approach to training. 

The Missing Tool for Improved Coaching and Training

A simple off-hand instant message can cause a multi-year lawsuit, cost millions of dollars, and induce extreme stress. The founders of Fairwords witnessed this type of situation and saw the opportunity to use technology to make it a thing of the past.

Fairwords’ CEO, Tom Bubeck, is on a mission to protect people and companies from harmful communications. “Contributing to making people’s lives better is very important to me. I believe that Fairwords can improve company cultures with its in-the-moment coaching and training offerings.” 

The type of training that Fairwords provides reduces the risk of non-compliant communications. Fairwords sits on employees’ desktops and detects when users are composing potentially problematic messages. It doesn’t scold them but lends a helping hand by highlighting the issue and explaining why it is inappropriate. The employee is now armed with the knowledge to avoid the same mistake in the future.

Encouraging compliance creates an even playing field in the workplace. Bubeck explains, “As someone who tries to follow ‘the rules, ’ it can be very frustrating to watch others break the rules for improper gain. Promoting rules so the ‘good guys’ aren’t at a disadvantage is core to my sense of fairness.”

Fairwords also has the ability to archive official communication channels and support supervisory reviews of any issues that arise. It shows employees, customers, and the world that you care about your company culture and are working to ensure an ethical and compliant workplace. 

By investing in real-time training now, you’ll avoid costly litigation, regulatory fines, negative press, and a demoralized culture later. If you’d like to learn more about how Fairwords can work with your organization, schedule a free 15-minute consultation.