Why Must Organizations Take Instructional Design Seriously?

When training employees, there are countless measures you can take to ensure they're getting the knowledge they need to perform well. Focusing on instructional design can ensure your training programs achieve your organization's learning goals. So why is this important for your business? It can ensure your employees have the information required to excel. Every company wants to optimize its success this way. But understand that taking charge of instructional design can be a confusing process, especially if it's you’re unfamiliar with it. That's why instructional designers are a beneficial resource for most companies. Here are six reasons why you should prioritize instructional design and how it can elevate your business.

Improves the Learning Experience for Employees

Traditional, one-size-fits-all formatting has been the go-to for training employees. Yet countless studies prove that everyone learns differently. For example, one study said 65 percent of people prefer visual learning, while 30 percent are auditory learners. Though this is only a small glimpse into learning style differences, it proves these methods must be updated. With sound instructional design, employees will find content engaging and relevant, leading to higher retention and overall satisfaction rates.

Keeps Employees Up to Date With Technology and Current Trends

Technology has taken the world by storm, and keeping up with current trends can be daunting. However, technology is also one of our most powerful business resources, so staying abreast of it is essential. Instructional designers create immersive experiences using the latest and greatest technologies to produce exciting learning environments, increasing its effectiveness.

Keeps Content Relevant

Many people don't think about shelf life when creating training content. However, sustainability is critical to maximizing the information you're giving employees. Sound instructional design is used to develop a curriculum that endures for some time without updates. When it’s time to update content, an instructional designer can do so in a manner that won’t affect the course’s flow, so there are no disruptions.

Reduces Employee Turnover

One of the main reasons businesses lose employees is dissatisfaction due to inadequate training. These vacancies may not seem detrimental to a company initially, but they can cost thousands. Not only are you spending time and money finding new potential candidates, but you're also putting money into onboarding and training. If your employees are well-trained from the get-go, they'll feel more confident in their work, increasing the chances that they'll remain with the company.

Increases Return on Investment (ROI)

There is a direct correlation between keeping employees and higher revenue. In a study by Gallup, happy and engaged employees resulted in a 21 percent increase in profits. The more you invest in ensuring job satisfaction and training, the more productive employees will be, making you more money in the long run.

Promotes Productivity Among the Workers

As a business manager, you are responsible for ensuring your employees get the best training available. When they succeed, you succeed. And producing effective, efficient training equips them with the skills they need to make this happen and helps promote productivity. Why? The faster employees gather all the necessary information, the quicker they can apply it to their everyday work. And the best part is they're not sacrificing content for speed, because the information they are receiving is well-thought-out and tailored specifically to your business.