Why It is Important to Update Your Digital Knowledge
You have to keep ahead of what’s on-trend.
How many of you waking up only to grab your phone and switch on Facebook to check its news feed to see what you’re missing while you’re sleeping? The advancement of technology has allowed us to constantly connect with the rest of the world and stay updated with the current trends, news, and other parts of our social life.
Now, let’s put the same idea to your digital and marketing knowledge. Shouldn’t they also be checked regularly?
The importance of digital literacy
Digital literacy is the ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate, and create information using a range of digital technologies.
- Wikipedia
Like it or not, the reality today is that digital market and social media ecosystem would only become more crowded and more competitive. Every marketer knows that digital world is a constant and fast-paced changing environment.
As such digital marketing is never going to be a set-it and forget-it solution. What you knew working today might not be relevant tomorrow. That’s why digital marketing needs constant attention and regular maintenance, including fresh knowledge.
(Also check out our list of essential digital skills that savvy marketers need this 2019!)
What does it mean for companies?
Report showed that the demand for technological skills will only keep increasing from 2016 to 2030. Companies and talent developers are well aware of this and hence, are putting employee development as their priorities.
As businesses are getting digitized at a faster rate, upskilling employees regularly is important to avoid a gap between the skills and the needs of the companies. 54% of the companies acknowledged that the digital talent gap is hampering their digital transformation programs and that their organization has lost competitive advantage because of a shortage of digital talent.
Here are some obvious benefits for companies to upskill their workforce.
Improved performance
Upskilling employees who already fit with your brand and culture allows them to keep up with industry advancements while putting their skills back into your company. An upskilled workforce is up-to-date on the latest technology and industry trends, which will improve the overall productivity and reinforce your company’s position as industry leader.
Employee retention
Employee turnover is costly for companies. Give your employees another reason to stay by investing in upskilling their skills to increase employee allegiance and to strengthen team bonding.
Employee engagement
Employees are in a way your brand advocates. Upskilling is a great way to engage them and let them know that the company cares for their well-beings. Happy employees will lead to better customer service and satisfied customers.
How do you start?
So, you’re on board to upskill your workforce? Here are some tips on where to start.
Develop personalized learning path
Personally, I don’t like being told what to do. And I often do the same to my employees. So, rather than giving them specific instructions, I suggest you get your employees involved from the get go. Give them the opportunity to identify their existing skills and ask what they like to improve as well as what new skills they like to develop.
Mobile and online learning
With the development of mobile technology nowadays, you can give your employees the choice of learning on any mobile devices at any time as per their convenience. As such, your employees have access to seamless training content while also having the option to seek performance support at specific time when needed.
You can also invest in online learning platforms to give your employees full learning flexibility at a time and place that is best for them.
Gamification
Learning new skills shouldn’t be boring. Companies can spice up the process using creative games and rewards. Gamification has long noted as an effective tool to motivate learners in a healthy and competitive way. It’s also good to encourage your employees to put their newly acquired skills into practice and to acknowledge their achievements.
Make it part of company culture
Upskilling your knowledge shouldn’t be an extracurricular activity. So make sure it’s engraved in your company’s culture. You can set aside time during the workweek for your employees to focus on refining their skills, design a room in the office specifically for training classes, setting up workshops, releasing short tutorial videos, holding seminars, etc. to encourage continuous learning culture in your company.
Key Takeaway
With so much digital disruption happening today, upskilling is more important than ever now for the success of organizations. And the best place to start upskilling program is with the resources that you already have at your disposal: your existing employees.
Just remember, investment in knowledge pays the best interest.
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