How to prioritize your team's professional development—even remotely

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented situation. Within the span of a few short weeks in April, organizations around the country had to enable their employees to work from home. And while the shift to telework has, for the most part, been much smoother and more successful than a lot of people expected, there’s one thing you shouldn’t forget about: your employees’ desire to grow and advance.

Here are some tips to prioritize your remote team’s professional development:

• Share opportunities for growth and advancement. It’s important to communicate that salary bumps and promotions are still possible, even for WFH teams. Take the time to speak with each of your employees individually and talk to them about the opportunities that are relevant to their career goals. 
• Leverage online collaboration and teleconferencing tools for team trainings. Do you think team trainings are a thing of the past? Think again. With Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Cisco Webex, you can connect your team remotely while sharing your screen and other resources. It’s a great way to keep everyone up to speed on company or industry developments.
• Use virtual learning software. Entrepreneur advises investing in virtual learning software that allows you easily share your internal training materials. There are several e-learning authoring tools available such as Elucidat, Adapt, Gomi, and Adobe Captivate.
• Encourage your team to enroll in online courses. One of the best things you can do for your team members’ professional development is to enable them to enroll in online courses that are relevant to their jobs. These could be certification courses developed by professional organizations—which would need to be financed—or even courses that are available through MOOC.org. Note that although many of the courses offered through MOOC.org are free, it’s possible to sign up for online master’s degrees, micromaster’s programs, and professional certificates for a fee.

Even if your organization is operating conservatively right now, it’s critical to ensure your employees feel supported in their desire to grow and advance. By promoting their professional development while they’re working from home, you can show them they’re valued, and promote increased loyalty to you and your company.

Sources

https://www.kellyservices.us/news-and-insights/supporting-your-remote-employees-career-development/

https://www.elucidat.com/blog/elearning-authoring-tools/

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/355495