Significance Of Online Learning For Retail Organizations

Digital learning landscape of the retail industry is gradually shifting with technological advancement. Because data is trending these days, most of the retail organizations are embedding learning technologies with e-courses. This results in faster, efficient and mobile-enabled content delivery to diversified learners.

Today, retail industry focus majorly on two areas- compliance and onboarding. They have also started emphasizing on product knowledge and efficient service along with utmost management development. Just like other domains, a retail sector uses online learning platforms as the key driver to deliver engaging e-learning solutions for onboarding, compliance and sales expertise. However, the industry is looking for more areas that introduce new opportunities to boost the efficiency of a learning platform.

Need of Workplace Training in Retail Sector

Pre-boarding is one of the significant growth areas in the retail sector. Companies in this domain hire new employees very often, thereby increasing the demand for workplace training programs. Accessing courses via online platforms help new hires to get acquainted with the latest norms and procedures of the company. This provides them an insight of what they can expect from work and improve their efficiency. The role of trainers is important in supporting online learning programs and motivating workforce to perform better. While every retail company has its own spectrum of objectives, online training can offer engaging e-learning solutions to achieve measurable outcomes. In addition, compliance training is provided to ensure that employees can work efficiently after completing their initial health & safety trainings and more.

Scope of Gamification in Retail Sector

The retail sector is an ever-growing and highly competitive industry. Customer demands are constantly evolving, so the trend of technological innovations and supply chain management is also rising. Gamification is the latest trend and more number of organizations are incorporating games with their e-learning courses. Undoubtedly, games boost learner interaction and empower learning experiences. Games play a major role in delivering efficient learning programs for the retail sector. These can be applied in ample ways, so of which are discussed as follows:

Product expertise

Retail companies have to continuously deal with new product ranges. Games aid learners to explore the wide array of products online, ensuring they are well-updated when it comes to answering questions, and getting rewards or points on a right answer.

Compliance

The industry is subjected to rules and policies for health, safety and security. Delivering the content through games makes the overall learning more fun and engaging. For instance, sales personnel can learn the procedure to deal with returning process by playing a game, rather than going through a text-heavy written document.

Orientation

Training thousands of employees each year can be time-consuming and daunting. Including interactive scenarios through gamified learning, helps beginners improve their knowledge and address day-to-day workplace challenges.

The Empowered Customer in the Future

Modern learners are shaping the industry’s future, while organizations are adopting disruptive technologies to cater to varied needs. Over the next decade, consumers will become the epicenter of retail industries. Empowered customers will use robust technology and personalized mobile devices for learning. New technologies that will emerge more in the retail industry include Artificial Intelligence (AI), augmented reality, virtual learning, gamification, drones, robotics, blockchain and more.

Digital devices will be everywhere, ensuring delivery of customized learning solutions. Industry leaders will develop the right capabilities to ensure their success in the new world. Digital transformation of the retail sector has already started. Innovative business models will continue to evolve and robust technologies will be used.

The next-generation employees will be ready to work in digitized environments. Modern workforce will be benefited from latest methods of instruction. Data security is an issue from the current time and industry will recognize how to leverage data as an asset in the future. Business leaders and educators will pioneer in terms of how future digital transformations will ensure economic benefits for business as well as society. Undoubtedly, the change in customer demand along with technological innovations will continue to drive fundamental enhancements.

Suggested Further Reading:
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/IP/2016/CO/WEF_AM17_FutureofRetailInsightReport.pdf