We live in a world of clicks. Answers to even some of the most complicated questions are just a click or two away, satisfying the increasingly popular need for instant gratification. Many of your employees may not even know how to discover information without clicking here or swiping there. As technology continues to dominate how we live our lives, so should the training you deliver to your staff. Online training for restaurants covers topics from suggestive selling and guest service to food safety and harassment.
Like any restaurant training program, what your servers walk away with is just as important as what they’re given. Here are some tips for online training that clicks and sticks:
Convenience. E-learning for waitstaff needs to be available at times that work around a restaurant’s busy schedules. Choose a system that has 24/7 access and works on phones and tablets as well as desktop computers. Off-shift, your new table-side electronic menu or POS doubles as a training tool!
Metrics and tracking. A huge benefit of online training is that tracking is built in. Did Ana complete that online workplace harassment course? Scott’s check averages down – does he need some product knowledge re-training? With an online system, you can easily track not only when an employee completed a training module, but how well they understood it.
Cost effectiveness. With online restaurant training, your training costs are decreased. Employees can individually complete a module before or after a shift, at their own pace. Assessment and re-training are streamlined and simplified.
Engagement. Online training modules break up content into easy-to-absorb segments, holding employees’ attention spans longer than lecture-based training. When you pair online training with quick pre-shift meeting role-play exercises or games, staff members will be able to implement what they’ve learned as soon as they begin their next shift.
Better retention. Studies show trainees may only retain 10% of what they hear in a lecture. With engaging and interactive online learning, that retention level goes up toward 70%.
WII-FM. Online training tunes employees in to WII-FM – What’s In It For Me? Using internet based learning to show servers how they can earn more and progress in their careers will help keep their motivation up during every shift.
Restaurant Service and Sales Training
The Service & Sales Excellence Waitstaff Training Series is based on Service That Sells!, a restaurant training philosophy developed by restaurant owners for restaurant owners. Click here to learn more.
