In the sprawling landscape of the modern workforce, deskless workers stand as unsung heroes, often overlooked despite their pivotal roles in keeping industries afloat. Whether they're delivering packages, cooking our food, tending to patients, or maintaining infrastructure, deskless workers form the backbone of countless sectors, yet remarkably little is known about their training needs and preferences.
But fear not! A groundbreaking study, encompassing a survey of numerous deskless workers across industries has been released by the renowned research firm TMB (Trust Me Bro) Research Associates on this 1st of April 2024. The workers have spoken, and the results are in! Let’s discover the 5 most prevalent facts about deskless workforce training here:
Research(!) shows that workers, particularly young employees belonging to Gen-Z, are getting tired of consuming bite-sized content with attention-grabbing visuals online. In fact, our groundbreaking research has uncovered a surprising revelation: lengthy, text-based training manuals hold a special place in the hearts of these workers, akin to a thrilling mystery novel.
Contrary to popular belief, deskless workers are not seeking instant gratification or quick fixes. Instead, they relish the opportunity to immerse themselves in the depths of a meticulously crafted training manual, savoring each word like a connoisseur of fine literature. The workers were asked what they would pick if they had to choose between TikTok or training manuals. An overwhelming majority chose training manuals. Binging a Netflix show or reading training manuals? You guessed it, training manuals. These manuals are not mere documents; they are portals to knowledge, offering a sense of fulfillment that cannot be replicated by fleeting online content.
Imagine, if you will, a worker sitting in their break room, a hefty training manual spread out before them like a treasure map waiting to be explored. With bated breath and eager anticipation, they embark on a journey of discovery, navigating through pages upon pages of text with the enthusiasm of an archeologist uncovering ancient relics. Every paragraph is a revelation, every diagram a clue to unraveling the mysteries of their trade.
In a world where attention spans are dwindling and instant gratification reigns supreme, the allure of the lengthy training manual remains unwavering. For deskless workers, these manuals are not just instructional guides; they are companions on a quest for knowledge, providing a sense of satisfaction that cannot be found in the fleeting distractions of the digital age.
When it comes to disseminating crucial information, nothing beats the thrill of a good old-fashioned text chain. Our research has revealed that deskless workers are positively giddy at the prospect of receiving important updates via their favorite messaging apps.
Picture this: a worker, amidst a flurry of notifications, suddenly receives a text in the company WhatsApp group announcing a process change. Instead of groans or sighs of frustration, there's an air of excitement as workers scramble to read and decipher the message amidst the chaos of their bustling workday.
Sure, you may need to find the message urgently later while working, and the occasional message might get lost in the endless scroll of memes and GIFs, but that only adds to the fun! It’s like a digital treasure hunt, workers eagerly comb through the chat history, piecing together the information like detectives solving a case. Who needs formal training sessions when you have the thrill of a text chain to keep you on your toes?
Ah, the weekend—a time for relaxation, leisure, and... hourlong training sessions? Surprisingly enough, research has uncovered a curious trend among deskless workers: they can't seem to get enough of training sessions, even if it means sacrificing their precious downtime.
Imagine, if you will, a worker eagerly setting aside their Saturday afternoon plans to attend a riveting training session on workplace safety. Instead of spending time with family and friends or catching up on Netflix, they're sitting in a conference room, notebook in hand, soaking up every word like a sponge. It's a scene straight out of a corporate training montage, complete with inspirational music and dramatic close-ups.
And it's not just weekends – research shows that workers are more than willing to extend their workday or sacrifice their evenings for the opportunity to learn and grow. Who needs a social life when you have the chance to brush up on your customer service skills or master the art of time management? For these dedicated deskless workers, the pursuit of knowledge knows no bounds.
In a world where time is a precious commodity, deskless workers seem to have stumbled upon a hidden reserve of hours just waiting to be devoted to training. Our research has revealed a startling revelation: despite the demands of their busy schedules, deskless workers somehow manage to carve out ample time for learning and development.
Picture this: a worker, juggling multiple tasks and deadlines, suddenly decides to set aside a chunk of their day for training. It's as if they've discovered the secret to bending time itself, effortlessly balancing their workload with the demands of continuous learning. Meetings? Rescheduled. Deadlines? Extended. In the world of deskless workers, time bends to accommodate the insatiable thirst for knowledge.
But wait, it gets better—workers aren't just finding time for training, they're embracing it wholeheartedly. Whether it's during their lunch break or in the quiet moments before dawn, they eagerly immerse themselves in training modules, eager to expand their skill set and further their career aspirations. Who needs downtime when you have the opportunity to learn and grow?
In a world where rewards and recognition are prized above all else, deskless workers stand as a shining beacon of defiance. Our research has uncovered a curious phenomenon: these workers absolutely loathe being rewarded for completing training exercises, viewing it as an affront to their autonomy and independence.
Imagine, if you will, a worker completing a grueling training module, their efforts finally paying off as they reach the finish line. Instead of basking in the glow of recognition, they recoil at the mere mention of rewards, their sense of self-worth undiminished by external validation. It's as if they've tapped into a wellspring of inner strength, immune to the siren song of incentives and accolades.
But it's not just a few isolated cases—our research has shown that the disdain for rewards runs deep among deskless workers. Whether it's a gift card or a pat on the back, the very notion of being rewarded for completing training exercises is met with skepticism and disdain. For these fiercely independent workers, the true measure of success lies not in external validation, but in the satisfaction of a job well done.
If it wasn’t obvious already, Happy April Fool’s Day! Deskless workers comprise 80% of the world’s workforce, and training them effectively is crucial to the success of any organization. However, the training shouldn’t come at the expense of the employees’ off days and weekends. Company trainings are notorious for their boring and disengaging nature, and therefore, training shouldn’t be administered with even more boring mediums such as lengthy text-based manuals or text chains. Contrary to the “research” above, employees do, in fact, have shortage of time to engage in training, and should be rewarded for putting in time and effort for training.
Training for deskless workers, therefore, should be fun and engaging. It should be accessible from mobile phones and divided into bite-sized modules so that employees can access them anywhere during their free time and learn by investing what little time they have. And most importantly, it should be rewarding for them.
How can you ensure all that? By getting in touch with spoon.tech, which provides mobile-first gamified training solutions with built-in cash rewards, specifically targeted towards the deskless workforce. April Fool’s is fun, let’s make training fun as well!
Happy April Fool’s Day! If you enjoyed that article and want to make training enjoyable for employees, get in touch with spoon.tech by filling out this contact form. You can also e-mail us at hello@spoon.tech or give us a call at +43 670 655 56 82.
Hi, I'm Audri, a Master's student in Digital Economy at Vienna University of Economics and Business, and an enthusiast of the food and hospitality sector. Digital transformation in the hospitality sector is an intersection of my practice and passion, and I love to write on that topic. Let's connect on LinkedIn to chat more!
Hi, I'm Audri, a Master's student in Digital Economy at Vienna University of Economics and Business, and an enthusiast of the food and hospitality sector. Digital transformation in the hospitality sector is an intersection of my practice and passion, and I love to write on that topic. Let's connect on LinkedIn to chat more!
