Training Videos That Don't Suck: A Chicago Guide to Employee Engagement

The Sorry State of Corporate Training

Let's face it – most employee training videos have all the entertainment value of watching paint dry in slow motion. According to a 2023 Workplace Learning Report by LinkedIn, 49% of employees admit to zoning out during training videos, while another 27% perfect the art of strategic napping.

But here's the kicker: Training videos don't have to be soul-crushing experiences that make your employees contemplate career changes.

Why Chicago is Leading the Training Video Revolution

Chicago's creative scene has been quietly revolutionizing corporate communications. As a hub for both Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups, our city has become ground zero for training content that actually works.

The Numbers Don't Lie

According to the Association for Talent Development's 2023 State of the Industry Report:

• Companies with engaging training videos see 43% better knowledge retention
• Interactive video content increases completion rates by 60%
• Training videos incorporating humor show 28% higher engagement rates

The Secret Sauce: Five Elements of Non-Sucky Training Videos

1. Story-First Approach

Remember that time you binge-watched an entire Netflix series instead of sleeping? That's the power of storytelling.

Here's how to harness it:

• Create relatable characters
• Build narrative tension
• Use real workplace scenarios

• Actual employee experiences
• Common workplace challenges
• Realistic solutions

2. Interactive Elements That Actually Work

Gone are the days of mind-numbing click-through presentations.

Modern training videos should:

• Incorporate decision points
• Use branching scenarios
• Include gamification elements

• Progress tracking
• Achievement badges
• Peer competition

3. Production Value That Doesn't Break the Bank

You don't need Marvel movie budgets, but you do need:

• Professional lighting
• Clear audio
• Engaging graphics
• Consistent branding

4. Humor (Without the Cringe)

According to a 2022 study in the Journal of Applied Psychology, appropriate humor in training videos increases:

• Information retention by 40%
• Employee engagement by 37%
• Positive association with company culture by 45%

5. Measurable Results

Modern training videos should integrate:

• Analytics tracking
• Knowledge checkpoints
• Real-time feedback mechanisms
• Performance metrics

Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

The "Try-Hard" Trap

Don't force memes or dated pop culture references. Nothing ages worse than yesterday's viral moment.

The "One-Size-Fits-None" Approach

Different departments need different approaches. What works for IT won't necessarily work for Sales.

The "Feature Creep" Syndrome

More isn't always better. Focus on core messages rather than throwing in every bell and whistle.

Making It Happen: Working with a Chicago Video Agency

Questions to Ask Your Production Partner

• What's their experience with training content?
• Can they provide measurable results from past projects?
• How do they incorporate feedback and revisions?
• What's their approach to engagement metrics?

The ROI of Not Sucking

According to a 2023 Brandon Hall Group study:

• Companies with engaging training content see:

• 34% higher employee retention
• 22% faster onboarding
• 41% reduction in training-related costs

Next Steps

Ready to create training videos that actually engage your employees? Here's your action plan:

1. Audit your current training content
2. Identify key improvement areas
3. Research Chicago video production partners (or just reach out to us 😉)
4. Develop clear objectives and metrics
5. Start small and scale what works