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<\/span><\/div>By Chloe Gottschalk<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div>Did you know that\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>90% of executives<\/span><\/a>\u00a0believe their company pays attention to<\/span>\u00a0employee<\/span>\u00a0needs when introducing new tools or technologies, yet\u00a0<\/span>only 53% of employees<\/span><\/i>\u00a0believe the same thing<\/span>?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Q<\/span>uite the disconnect!\u00a0<\/span>At MPS, we\u00a0<\/span>call the practice of training\u00a0<\/span>on digital tools\u00a0<\/span>for maximum\u00a0<\/span>effectiveness \u201c<\/span>Digital Fluency<\/span><\/a>,<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and we believe it\u2019s one\u00a0<\/span>of the\u00a0<\/span>five key disciplines<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that individuals must focus in order to maximize their productivity, yet\u00a0<\/span>abundant\u00a0<\/span>research indicates the majority of employees aren\u2019t receiving the training they need when it comes to their digital tools. Workplace technologies are constantly evolving, and it is up to both employers and employees to take it upon themselves to\u00a0<\/span>ensure they\u00a0<\/span>are equipped to be successful.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThink about in your career \u2013\u00a0<\/span>how many times have you been handed a digital tool, such as<\/span>\u00a0software<\/span>\u00a0Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Teams<\/span>\u00a0or a new piece of hardware<\/span>\u00a0like a new smartphone<\/span>, and been expected to learn how to use it on your own? Or perhaps you received basic training that covers the tool\u2019s features and benefits, but not training on how to specifically use that tool related to your role and goals? If your company is still relying on these outdated forms of digital training, it\u2019s time to consider a new trend in the business community:\u00a0<\/span>upskilling<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nUpskilling is the process of developing your current employees by teaching them new skills, rather than outsourcing or replacing them. How does this connect to Digital Fluency? If your current employees are unfamiliar with one of your digital tools,\u00a0<\/span>the most beneficial thing to do for your organization is<\/span>\u00a0to provide them with\u00a0<\/span>role-specific<\/span>\u00a0training surrounding th<\/span>at<\/span>\u00a0tool<\/span>, and here\u2019s why.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIt reduces your organization\u2019s turnover<\/span><\/b>, which saves\u00a0<\/span><\/b>you\u00a0<\/span><\/b>a lot<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0of money<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAccording to the\u00a0<\/span>Center for America<\/span>n<\/span>\u00a0Progress<\/span><\/a>, the cost of replacing an employee can be anywhere from 16% of their salary for an hourly position, to 213% of their salary for a highly trained position.<\/span>\u00a0These costs\u00a0<\/span>accrue from the hiring process (recruiting, interviewing, screening), the training process (onboarding, time of other employees), and a loss of productivity as the new person gets in the groove of their role. Replacing a lost employee is a very expensive process, and the lower your employee turnover is, the more money your organization will save in the long run.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIt improves employee engagement and satisfaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWith the\u00a0<\/span>constant\u00a0<\/span>progression of automation and digitalization, employees\u00a0<\/span>are beginning\u00a0<\/span>to wonder if their current skillset will be \u2018enough\u2019 a few years from now. If your organization is willing to invest in your employees to help them strengthen their digital skills, they\u2019ll not only have more trust in the company and its leaders, but they\u2019ll be more\u00a0<\/span>engaged with their work, too. After all, isn\u2019t everyone more productive when they\u2019re not worried about their job being at risk?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIt will attract new talent.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAccording to a\u00a0<\/span>Gallup<\/span><\/a>\u00a0report, 87% of millennials and 69% of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers rate \u2018professional and career growth and development opportunities\u2019 as important to them in a job. Employees want to know that they\u2019ll have something to work towards in their role and giving them the opportunity to develop new skills is the perfect way to ensure that need is met. Upskilling is\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>a great selling point when you\u2019re recruiting new employees or positions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIt will lead to higher customer satisfaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThis is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pretty\u00a0<\/span>self-explanatory: when your employees are happy, their customers will be happy, too. If your employees are developing new digital skills, have a higher sense of job security, and are more trusting of your company, it will undoubtedly show in their work. Additionally, when your employees are up-to-date on the industry\u2019s newest technology or trends, it will allow them to make the best recommendations possible to your customers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nImplementing an upskilling process for your organization will lead to a variety of benefits that are even more expansive than the basic ones listed here. Technology will never stop progressing, and expecting employees to learn how to use new, evolving tools on their own is not only unrealistic, but it will negatively impact employee productivity, as well.\u00a0<\/span>Additionally, the basic \u2018features and benefits\u2019 training that most employees receive does not address or advise them on how to use the tool for their role-specific responsibilities, ultimately wasting the time and money of everyone involved.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIf an organization is truly focused on upskilling their employees, they will put a greater emphasis on role-specific training so that employees have a clear idea of how to use best use a tool for their role.\u00a0<\/span>When an individual is digitally fluent, their workflow will improve<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and they\u2019ll be more aligned with the organization\u2019s goals and outcomes. If you\u2019d like more information on\u00a0<\/span>Digital Fluency<\/span><\/a>\u00a0training,\u00a0<\/span>contact us<\/span><\/a>\u00a0today to learn more about\u00a0<\/span>our<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Microsoft Tool Training<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>You can also take\u00a0<\/span>our<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Productivity Assessment<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to get a better idea of where you\u2019re at with Digital Fluency or reach out to us for a more in-depth assessment around the topic as well.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Check out our Using OneNote Effectively Webinar!<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>This course explores how to utilize Microsoft OneNote for recording and organizing meeting and research notes, tracking project plans, and integrating action items with Outlook. This introductory webinar provides impactful OneNote tips and tricks that participants can immediately implement in their workday.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>
Did you know that\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>90% of executives<\/span><\/a>\u00a0believe their company pays attention to<\/span>\u00a0employee<\/span>\u00a0needs when introducing new tools or technologies, yet\u00a0<\/span>only 53% of employees<\/span><\/i>\u00a0believe the same thing<\/span>?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Q<\/span>uite the disconnect!\u00a0<\/span>At MPS, we\u00a0<\/span>call the practice of training\u00a0<\/span>on digital tools\u00a0<\/span>for maximum\u00a0<\/span>effectiveness \u201c<\/span>Digital Fluency<\/span><\/a>,<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and we believe it\u2019s one\u00a0<\/span>of the\u00a0<\/span>five key disciplines<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that individuals must focus in order to maximize their productivity, yet\u00a0<\/span>abundant\u00a0<\/span>research indicates the majority of employees aren\u2019t receiving the training they need when it comes to their digital tools. Workplace technologies are constantly evolving, and it is up to both employers and employees to take it upon themselves to\u00a0<\/span>ensure they\u00a0<\/span>are equipped to be successful.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Think about in your career \u2013\u00a0<\/span>how many times have you been handed a digital tool, such as<\/span>\u00a0software<\/span>\u00a0Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Teams<\/span>\u00a0or a new piece of hardware<\/span>\u00a0like a new smartphone<\/span>, and been expected to learn how to use it on your own? Or perhaps you received basic training that covers the tool\u2019s features and benefits, but not training on how to specifically use that tool related to your role and goals? If your company is still relying on these outdated forms of digital training, it\u2019s time to consider a new trend in the business community:\u00a0<\/span>upskilling<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Upskilling is the process of developing your current employees by teaching them new skills, rather than outsourcing or replacing them. How does this connect to Digital Fluency? If your current employees are unfamiliar with one of your digital tools,\u00a0<\/span>the most beneficial thing to do for your organization is<\/span>\u00a0to provide them with\u00a0<\/span>role-specific<\/span>\u00a0training surrounding th<\/span>at<\/span>\u00a0tool<\/span>, and here\u2019s why.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It reduces your organization\u2019s turnover<\/span><\/b>, which saves\u00a0<\/span><\/b>you\u00a0<\/span><\/b>a lot<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0of money<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the\u00a0<\/span>Center for America<\/span>n<\/span>\u00a0Progress<\/span><\/a>, the cost of replacing an employee can be anywhere from 16% of their salary for an hourly position, to 213% of their salary for a highly trained position.<\/span>\u00a0These costs\u00a0<\/span>accrue from the hiring process (recruiting, interviewing, screening), the training process (onboarding, time of other employees), and a loss of productivity as the new person gets in the groove of their role. Replacing a lost employee is a very expensive process, and the lower your employee turnover is, the more money your organization will save in the long run.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It improves employee engagement and satisfaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With the\u00a0<\/span>constant\u00a0<\/span>progression of automation and digitalization, employees\u00a0<\/span>are beginning\u00a0<\/span>to wonder if their current skillset will be \u2018enough\u2019 a few years from now. If your organization is willing to invest in your employees to help them strengthen their digital skills, they\u2019ll not only have more trust in the company and its leaders, but they\u2019ll be more\u00a0<\/span>engaged with their work, too. After all, isn\u2019t everyone more productive when they\u2019re not worried about their job being at risk?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It will attract new talent.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to a\u00a0<\/span>Gallup<\/span><\/a>\u00a0report, 87% of millennials and 69% of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers rate \u2018professional and career growth and development opportunities\u2019 as important to them in a job. Employees want to know that they\u2019ll have something to work towards in their role and giving them the opportunity to develop new skills is the perfect way to ensure that need is met. Upskilling is\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>a great selling point when you\u2019re recruiting new employees or positions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It will lead to higher customer satisfaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pretty\u00a0<\/span>self-explanatory: when your employees are happy, their customers will be happy, too. If your employees are developing new digital skills, have a higher sense of job security, and are more trusting of your company, it will undoubtedly show in their work. Additionally, when your employees are up-to-date on the industry\u2019s newest technology or trends, it will allow them to make the best recommendations possible to your customers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Implementing an upskilling process for your organization will lead to a variety of benefits that are even more expansive than the basic ones listed here. Technology will never stop progressing, and expecting employees to learn how to use new, evolving tools on their own is not only unrealistic, but it will negatively impact employee productivity, as well.\u00a0<\/span>Additionally, the basic \u2018features and benefits\u2019 training that most employees receive does not address or advise them on how to use the tool for their role-specific responsibilities, ultimately wasting the time and money of everyone involved.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If an organization is truly focused on upskilling their employees, they will put a greater emphasis on role-specific training so that employees have a clear idea of how to use best use a tool for their role.\u00a0<\/span>When an individual is digitally fluent, their workflow will improve<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and they\u2019ll be more aligned with the organization\u2019s goals and outcomes. If you\u2019d like more information on\u00a0<\/span>Digital Fluency<\/span><\/a>\u00a0training,\u00a0<\/span>contact us<\/span><\/a>\u00a0today to learn more about\u00a0<\/span>our<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Microsoft Tool Training<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>You can also take\u00a0<\/span>our<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Productivity Assessment<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to get a better idea of where you\u2019re at with Digital Fluency or reach out to us for a more in-depth assessment around the topic as well.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> This course explores how to utilize Microsoft OneNote for recording and organizing meeting and research notes, tracking project plans, and integrating action items with Outlook. This introductory webinar provides impactful OneNote tips and tricks that participants can immediately implement in their workday.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Check out our Using OneNote Effectively Webinar!<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>