Technology makes it easier and cheaper to manage training. Dave Evans provides some examples.
No matter which industry you work in, at some point technology will revolutionise the way things get done. Just as satellite navigation edged the fold-away road map into the back of the car boot, and email saw off the carefully penned holiday postcard, training executives within companies large and small, as well as training providers, new software has opened up doors to a new world.
For the companies that embrace the value that technology can bring, the opportunities to cut costs and reduce time are incredible, for those with luddite tendencies who fear change and want to hold on to the way things have always been done, great challenges and competition lie ahead.
"Today, you can automate contact with anyone coming along, because there is software available to ping a quick SMS text message to everyone’s mobile phone."In truth, the vast majority of individuals working in a training capacity know the impact that technology can have, but what many do not have a firm grip on, is just how many areas of the business new software can automate. So, we have compiled a top five list of areas that offer up automation opportunities.
Payment and booking
Believe it or not, the days of picking up the phone and taking a booking for a training course are gone. Today, software allows people to go online, select the programme that is right for them, click through to a booking page, and pay for the course there and then. It saves time, effort and you’ll never miss an opportunity because the booking system will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Communication
There’s nothing worse than a last minute venue change, especially when you have 30 people coming along to a course that starts in five minutes. Today, you can automate contact with anyone coming along, because there is software available to ping a quick SMS text message to everyone’s mobile phone. One click and everyone knows where the event is taking place. You could even use this technology to get in touch with delegates the day before, with a reminder of what to bring and start times.
Invoices
Invoices are generated automatically after an individual books a place via the online booking form, so you don’t have to go into Microsoft Word, pull up a template, and enter all the details in. Once programmed correctly, training management software can create personalised invoices for all clients, keep a track of what has been generated, and even send them out to the relevant parties.
Thankyous
Staying in touch with clients is crucial, and thanks to new technology that doesn’t have to involve making hundreds of phone calls every month or sending individual emails out. The email software available today allows trainers to automate when thankyou emails are sent after an event, and where they are sent to. The emails can be personalised to each recipient and can also be monitored so the sender knows who has opened the mail and when.
Website updates
Today new technology even automates the updating of websites when a news event or programme is added into the system, which means that trainers need only add the event once, and can finally sever their ties with those expensive web designers who charge every time they add new content to the site.
Advances in IT are making the lives of training professionals easier everyday, with many different areas of the industry now being automated, trainers can leave the administration role to some very effective software, and concentrate their efforts on what they do best.
Dave Evans is commercial director at accessplanit, the provider of Course Booking Software, which is designed for any training-based business. For the full list of ways training can be automated, read the accessplanit whitepaper Training and the Digital Age: Ten Ways You Can Automate by clicking Training Management System.
