How can you make inventory accuracy training stick with your employees?

1 Assess your current situation

Before you design or implement any training program, you need to assess your current inventory accuracy level, identify the root causes of any discrepancies, and determine the gaps in your employees' knowledge and skills. You can use tools such as cycle counting, barcode scanning, or inventory audits to measure your inventory accuracy and track the sources of errors. You can also survey your employees to get their feedback on the existing processes, challenges, and expectations.

2 Set clear and realistic goals

Once you have a clear picture of your current situation, you need to set clear and realistic goals for your inventory accuracy training program. Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, you can aim to reduce your inventory variance by 10% in six months, or increase your inventory accuracy rate by 15% in one year. You should also communicate your goals to your employees and explain how they align with the overall warehouse objectives and performance indicators.

3 Choose the right training methods

When creating an inventory accuracy training program, you may choose from a variety of methods depending on your goals, budget, and resources. Classroom training is a traditional approach that can be used to teach theoretical aspects such as inventory management systems, cycles, policies and procedures, and terminology. On-the-job training is a practical method which can demonstrate the correct performance of tasks such as counting, scanning, labeling, storing, or picking. Online training provides employees with access to courses, modules or resources that cover inventory accuracy topics. Blended training combines different methods to reinforce key concepts and address different learning styles.

4 Reinforce the learning outcomes

To make sure your inventory accuracy training is retained by your employees, you should reinforce the learning outcomes and ensure they are applied in the workplace. This can be done through coaching and mentoring, where you assign coaches or mentors to your employees to provide ongoing support and feedback. You can also use gamification and incentives to motivate your employees and reward their achievements. Additionally, refresher and follow-up training should be scheduled periodically to review the inventory accuracy topics, address any issues or questions, and update them on any changes or improvements. This will help ensure that your employees are able to apply their knowledge in practice.

5 Evaluate the training effectiveness

To measure the effectiveness of your inventory accuracy training program, you need to evaluate the training outcomes and the impact on your warehouse operations. You can use feedback and surveys from your employees to get their opinions, suggestions, and satisfaction levels. Tests and assessments can also be used to measure your employees' inventory skills and knowledge before and after the training program. Additionally, you can monitor your employees' performance and results on the inventory tasks and activities after the training program. This will help you evaluate the impact of the training program on your inventory accuracy, customer satisfaction, order fulfillment, inventory costs, and productivity. Ultimately, by following these tips, you can design and implement a successful inventory accuracy training program that meets your needs and goals, and improves your warehouse performance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?