Training materials are like shoes. If they don’t fit right, they’re painful, and nobody’s going to enjoy walking in them. Yet, time and time again, companies try to squeeze their employees into ill-fitting training programs. Spoiler alert: It never works. Whether you're launching new software or teaching soft skills, the goal is to engage employees, not put them to sleep. So, let’s talk about the five most common mistakes companies make when creating training materials—and how you can avoid them like a bad dad joke at the company picnic.
1. Overloading with Information (aka the "Everything but the Kitchen Sink" Approach) 😶🌫️
We've all been there. A 200-slide PowerPoint deck that starts with the history of the company, dives into the entire product catalog and ends with a quiz that’s somehow harder than a final exam in astrophysics. While thoroughness is admirable, overloading trainees with information is like trying to drink from a fire hose—nobody’s retaining much.
How to Avoid It: Think of training like making a smoothie: blend only the essentials. Ask yourself, "What do my employees really need to know right now?" Trim the excess and focus on the core content.
2. Ignoring Different Learning Styles (One Size Does NOT Fit All)
Imagine if schools taught only through interpretive dance🕺🏻. To some that sounds fun, right? But some of us would have been lost. That happens when you design training materials catering to just one learning style. Whether it's all text, all video, or all hands-on, you’re missing out on reaching a broad audience.
How to Avoid It: Create a buffet of learning options—mixing visuals, audio, interactive elements, and practical exercises. Some employees might prefer a step-by-step video guide, while others will appreciate a good old-fashioned manual. No need for interpretive dance. (Unless your team is into that. In which case, send us the video!)
3. Boring Delivery 😴 (The "Snooze Fest" Phenomenon)
Let’s face it: training can be boring if it’s just a robotic voice reading bullet points. Cue the glazed eyes and a collective mental check-out from your team. Training doesn’t have to be a marathon of monotony, but many companies fall into the trap of making it just that.
How to Avoid It: Infuse your training materials with personality! Use humor (yep, like what you're reading now), real-world examples, and storytelling. People are more likely to remember “that hilarious example about the client who sent an email to the wrong person” than they are a 12-step process description. Engage employees with scenarios, quizzes, and even a dash of friendly competition.
4. Not Updating Training Materials (The "It Worked in 1999, It’ll Work Now" Mistake) - Is anybody else singing Prince's "1999 "song right now like I am?
If your training materials reference Windows 98 💻, floppy disks 💾, or dial-up internet, it’s time to let go. Outdated content is not only frustrating for employees but also confusing. Imagine being trained on software that no longer exists—it’s like teaching someone to drive a horse and buggy in the age of Teslas.
How to Avoid It: Keep your training materials as fresh as your office coffee (or fresher). Regularly review, update, and improve content to reflect the latest tools, processes, and industry standards. If the material feels stale, employees will mentally tune out faster than you can say, “You’ve got mail.”
5. Lack of Interactivity (No, Watching a Video Isn’t Enough)
Sure, videos are great. But if your entire training program consists of hitting play and hoping for the best, you're in trouble. Employees need to do something to reinforce what they’ve learned. Passive learning might stick for an hour, but hands-on experience lasts much longer.
How to Avoid It: Make training interactive. Incorporate activities where employees can apply their knowledge—whether it’s through quizzes, role-playing, or mini-projects. Think of it like teaching someone to ride a bike: they need to get on the bike, not just watch a YouTube tutorial about it.
Bonus Tip: Not Asking for Feedback (Hint: Employees Know What Works Best)This isn’t officially a “top 5” mistake, but it’s a sneaky one. Many companies forget to ask employees what they think of the training.
Spoiler: they probably have thoughts (and not all of them are about how to get to the end faster). Incorporate feedback into your process, because employees are your best resource for improving future training.Train Smarter, Not Harder
Creating great training materials doesn’t have to be rocket science, but avoiding these common mistakes can make a huge difference. Remember, your goal is to engage, enlighten, and maybe even entertain (we dare you to add a meme or two). So, if you’ve been making one of these training missteps, now’s the perfect time to change course and make your materials fit like a comfy pair of shoes. Because when your training works, your employees win—and so do you.
Need help creating training materials that get results? We’re just a click away. (And we promise, no boring PowerPoints.)
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