The Krystal Co. has standardized its corporate employee training programs on the web-based platform MyUdutu by Udutu. Udutu, based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is a provider of web-based e-learning software and services.
Made available through its online Krystal Kollege, Krystal offers about 50 different service, production and management training courses required for crew members, store managers and corporate management. The various courses educate Krystal employees on everything from fundamental operating procedures to the intricate details of restaurant management.
Robert Craigo, director of training for The Krystal Co., said that working with Udutu allows the company control over their training courses’ design and development. The software also sped up course creation, including the time it takes to make courses available through Krystal Kollege.
"Not only can we ensure our employees are learning what they need to in a relatively short timeframe, we’re also able to create new courses to coincide with special events and promotions much faster than we would with other tools," Craigo said.
For Krystal, the Udutu e-learning tool also makes employee training less costly and time-intensive process. But the employees benefit as well.
"(The e-learning tool) makes learning fun for our employees," Craigo said. "And (it) has improved how quickly they’re able to get certified and start doing their jobs."
MyUdutu offers interactive learning through video content, animation and audio features. Each Krystal training module includes several short sections that cover various tasks related to each aspect of the job.
Interactive assessments test employees’ knowledge of the course material after the training module. If the individual doesn’t get the answers right the first time, the program prompts him or her to try again until the answer is correct. Krystal’s corporate training and development team can track employees’ progress and make sure they’re meeting expected benchmarks in the time required.
Each Krystal store purchased a laptop computer to allow employees to take the training via the stores’ wireless intranet. All non-management employees take the training onsite, typically individually or in small groups of two or three. Management, which must take all training modules, may take the courses offsite.
Craigo said Krystal implemented the web-based training because videotapes are now obsolete.
"We’re just following the technology bubble through the system," he said.
The use of Udutu’s e-learning course authoring software has improved customer service and employee productivity, while also reducing the amount of additional mandatory on-the-job training employees need to meet Krystal’s standards for job performance.
On-the-job training is still important, even with the online program.
"This was never intended to be a stand-alone solution," Craigo said. "It always must be accompanied by hands-on on-the-job training."
