Web-Based Training in the Foodservice Industry

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The value of web-based training

Online training provides a flexible means of keeping staff knowledgeable and motivated, and ensuring your business continues to boom.

By Heather Kennedy


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To keep employees at their professional best, training is a must. Skilled, efficient employees are essential to any operation’s success. Expert staff earns repeat business and growth, whereas inept service causes customers to take their business elsewhere.

Training is generally the first order of business for new employees as they learn their specific duties and how best to perform them. The same applies to recently promoted staff members whose list of responsibilities has grown. Keep in mind that even those who aren’t in a new role can benefit from some form of training. It keeps their skills fresh and maintains interest – otherwise the day-to-day routine can start to seem repetitive.

Training can illustrate a more effective way of performing a task or highlight a better way of relating to customers. Providing training also shows staff members that their learning and career development are important, making them feel appreciated and valued.

While options abound, online learning is becoming more commonplace as its benefits and flexibility appeal to employers and employees alike. It’s often cheaper and more convenient than classroom instruction and more interactive and up-to-date than paper-based learning. A wide variety of topics is available, from entry-level basics to specific professional skills. A range of formats caters to different types of learners: animated clips may appeal to some, while more conventional textbook-like styles will entice others. Courses may be purchased for an individual, allowing you to track each employee’s performance, or shared amongst a group of learners, with configuration and pricing options varying from provider to provider.

The Perks of Online Options A top benefit of online learning is that it allows employees to study at their own pace. Unlike group training where the speed is often set by the slowest learner, each employee accesses his or her courses individually. Each participant is free to spend more time on new or unclear areas and less on those that have already been mastered. This maximizes a lesson’s impact and efficiency, as no one feels bored or lost. The flexibility of online learning also allows it to be put on hold during busy periods and picked up again during slower times, a definite plus in the foodservice world. Another advantage is online training’s ability to be accessed anywhere a computer is available. There is no need to send staff members to an outside facility during traditional 9 to 5 business hours, thus saving time and money associated with transportation costs or the need to rent a facility, for example. Training can take place onsite during a shift or outside of opening hours. If learners have questions or would benefit from extra guidance, managers or supervisors can be on hand to lead them through a lesson. Alternatively, those who prefer to learn without distractions can do so in a location of their choosing. Should a learner wish the flexibility to study offline, lessons can often be printed out. Meeting a Range of Needs As many foodservice employees belong to a generation reared on technology, they expect training that is easily accessible, interactive, fresh-looking and convenient. Online training provides immediate feedback, while links to additional information and resources are placed throughout, eliminating the need to track down answers. Both employees and employers can keep track of progress and performance through built-in quizzes and tests, allowing an immediate gauge on what is being retained and what needs more work. As with any traditional training, make sure to do your research on reputable providers. Find a company that fulfills your specific needs and offers a quality product. It’s worth the extra investment to track down training your staff actually finds interesting and resourceful. Communicate with your employees on their learning preferences to determine what degree of interactivity they’d like and what method of presentation best suits them. Some may prefer diagrams, others text, and still others video. Many courses will contain a mix of these elements, though in varying degrees. While looking at the online training options available, check out courses or resources of interest to you. There are management lessons on everything from communication to delegation and small business tools covering such subjects as budgeting, human resources, staffing and marketing. These can help you improve your skills and widen your business expertise. If training at your establishment, provide the necessary equipment: a quiet space with a computer properly outfitted for the course. Go through the course to determine if you’ll need such items as a printer and speakers. Also ensure you have a solid grasp on the content so you can assist staff members with any questions or provide extra details specific to your operation. Once you’re set up, put together a training schedule and watch as your productivity improves and your customers ultimately multiply. About the author: Heather Kennedy is a Manager of Marketing and Communications for the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC), a national organization that addresses labour market issues and promotes professionalism in the Canadian tourism sector. For information on any of the programs, services or products offered by the CTHRC, e-mail info@cthrc.ca, call 613.231.6949 or visit www.cthrc.ca.




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