It’s too soon to say we’re operating in a post-COVID-19 environment.

Across the United States, businesses are just now reopening, and analysts estimate the pandemic will have an impact on the industry long into 2021.

But from this moment on, it’s critical we start making intentional, proactive decisions about how we approach a new world shaped by a global health crisis. And one of the best, most underutilized ways to position your organization to thrive, not just survive, is through certified training.

Until now, businesses across all industries have been scrambling to adapt to unprecedented overnight changes to the industry. Here are three ways they can use certified training to lay the foundation for a successful 2021:

#1. Lay a firm foundation for what’s to come

Many industries and organizations responded to the COVID-19 crisis swiftly, securing the first available resources for education and training to create a safe environment for customers.

But have you paused to consider whether the resources you’ve secured are the best ones for you and your situation — or even the most up-to-date — considering all the changes taking place in the world? It’s critical that businesses focus on laying a firm foundation of knowledge and training so they can pivot to meet new needs as the crisis unfolds.

Certified training platforms outsource the subject matter expertise, content development, and learning management so that you can connect your employees with the most accurate information at any given time.

When the data changes, or best practices evolve, you simply receive the updated information. Compared to in-house professional development and training, this gives your team access to resources that are far more cutting edge than anything you could provide in-house.

#2. Build employee confidence to enhance the customer experience 

The customer always comes first, whether you’re in hospitality or a B2B space. But it’s become increasingly difficult to reach the high bar customers set. This is compounded by COVID-19, which has rightfully put customers on high alert for safety and sanitation concerns. Customers may scrutinize a brand or customer service representative’s actions around safety more carefully than usual, pushing the bar even higher.

In scenarios like this, it’s critical that your organization support employees with extra training and resources.

Not only does training boost employee confidence, which improves customer experience, but it shows both customers and employees that you’re taking their safety and health seriously. Meeting third-party certified requirements and displaying those certifications to the public can provide an enhanced level of trust and safety as consumers begin exploring the world once more.

#3. Train strategically with flexible programs

One of the biggest challenges associated with training and development is access to resources. After all, it can be difficult to get the right training to the right team member at the right time, both because of the expense of the training and the turnover that is sometimes unavoidable in a global pandemic.

Certified training platforms fill this gap by providing the ultimate flexibility in location, subject, and price. They enable you to customize your team’s access to different education tracks at different times, so you can be strategic about which teams or individuals are receiving which training at a given time.

For example, during this time of urgent re-configuring and standard-setting, you could start training your managers, who then work to ensure health and safety best practices across locations. You can then phase in different teams or locations as needed.

Certified Training

With so much in flux around the world and across all industries, it’s critical your organization shows it’s willing to go above and beyond to ensure the safety of your customers and employees alike. Certified training provides a flexible and cost effective way to build that confidence, prove your commitment, and put your business on a trajectory for success in the new year.

Click here to learn more about Protek.