Online Training can be Leveraged

In today’s work environment, everyone is wearing multiple hats. Who can say, “I think I’ll take tomorrow off, I really have nothing to do at work”?

Over the past three years, online training/communication has been front and centre for me. I have spoken with more than 200 carriers about this topic, and through the course of the discussion, this adage is true across the board; in today’s business environment, everyone is short on time. Is there a tool that can bridge the gap between wanting to accomplish more without being given more time with which to do it?

Online training is a tool. As with any other tool, it is most useful when used for its intended purpose. I do not believe there is a one-size fits all solution. This is something that has to be considered carefully; it needs a vision and buy-in at all levels of a company.

Let’s investigate the online phenomenon first. According to ComScore (www.comscore.com) Canadians are among the top of the world in Internet engagement. If you are interested, I can share the PDF for you, or you can sign up and download it at http://www.comscore.com/Insights/Presenta tions-and-Whitepapers/2015/2015-Canada- Digital-Future-in-Focus-Webinar.

Over 70% of truckers use the internet, mostly now by mobile phone. http://www.gobytrucknews.com/driversgoing- mobile/123.

With respect to the actual act of deploying and receiving training online, companies have many things to consider up front. Questions like: How will you compensate your drivers for this activity? Are there incentives you can offer? What will you do to facilitate access for your drivers? How will you track and monitor activity?

If you are currently using or are considering using an online training tool for your drivers, what will you do to augment the education for your “inside the walls” staff? It has been mentioned often that ensuring driver support staff understand the daily challenges that drivers face is important.

As you venture further down this road, and you’ve discovered, analyzed and implemented your tool of choice, you may discover that you can implement parts of it in other areas such as orientation, remedial training, Standard Operating Procedures training, etc. It may become a communication tool for you that goes beyond the norm.

The vision completed, always remember that online training was never intended to replace the human element. Your company’s culture will help dictate the extent of your use of this new tool, should you decide to go this route.

I speak almost weekly with Allan Hicks, VP of Safety at B.R. Williams Trucking, Inc. in Alabama, in a round table we have regarding online training. With his permission, I am including this quote: “I used to reach 60% of my drivers every 90 days, now I reach 95% of my drivers every 30 days”.

I used to joke that the Internet is just a fad, it will go away. I encourage you to get ahead of the curve and get online to communicate with your drivers. Be pro-active not reactive, you don’t want to be scrambling to “catchup” with your competitors.