Creating Video Knowledge Bases for Internal Use

In the rapidly evolving landscape of corporate culture and remote work, efficient knowledge transfer and employee training have become paramount. With the influx of digital tools, many companies are transitioning from traditional documentation to more interactive mediums for disseminating information. At the forefront of this shift is the idea of a video-centric knowledge base. In this blog post, we'll delve into the many benefits of curating a video knowledge base where employees can access answers and learn at their own pace.

The Distinction Between Knowledge Bases and Training Courses

A knowledge base is a centralized repository designed for self-service information retrieval, offering diverse content like FAQs, how-to guides, and process manuals. Within a large organization, knowledge bases often serve as the go-to hub of information for employees to learn about their individual department or role. 

In contrast, a training platform or Learning Management System (LMS) facilitates structured learning through courses, interactivity, and progress tracking. While knowledge bases serve as reference tools for specific queries, training platforms provide guided, sequential learning experiences. Training courses are often used for required training that must be scaled out across an organization. 

Visual Learning and Retention

Humans are inherently visual creatures. Studies have repeatedly shown that people can retain and understand complex information better when presented visually. Video, being a dynamic medium, captures attention, simplifies intricate topics through visual representation, and often leads to higher retention rates. This can be particularly useful for processes or tasks that are difficult to describe in written form but can be easily demonstrated.

Instead of long manuals, create concise video tutorials demonstrating how to use essential company software. For example, a video showing step-by-step navigation of a CRM tool or a quick start guide for a project management platform can be invaluable for onboarding new team members or transitioning to a new system.

Recording these is easier than you might think- using Viostream Recorder, screenshare tutorials with audio explanation can be made in minutes. Just add the Chrome extension and start recording!

Flexibility and Convenience

A significant advantage of video knowledge bases is the convenience they offer. Employees can access the content anytime, anywhere, whether they're working remotely, traveling for business, or need a quick refresher during office hours. This 24/7 access ensures that learning and problem-solving aren't confined to specific training sessions or time frames.

For example, rather than holding live training sessions that might not suit everyone's schedules, record webinars on essential topics and archive them in the knowledge base. For instance, a series of webinars on "Best Practices for Business Communication" can be periodically updated and accessed by sales and support teams as needed.

Scalability and Consistency

Conducting regular training sessions, especially in large organizations or those experiencing rapid growth, can be logistically challenging. Video knowledge bases provide a scalable solution where a single well-produced video can cater to an unlimited number of employees. This ensures that everyone gets consistent information, irrespective of when they join the company or access the material.

With Viostream Channels, you can create dedicated channels for different training topics and embed them within a corporate intranet. Channels are ad-free and only display the videos you choose.

Collaborative Contribution

A video knowledge base doesn't need to be a top-down initiative. With the right tools, employees across departments can contribute content, share their expertise, and collaborate on creating a rich, diversified repository of knowledge. This collaborative approach can foster a sense of ownership and community within the organization.

Encourage teams to create videos sharing their expertise. An engineer might create a "Troubleshooting Network Issues" guide, or a marketing team member might share "Tips for Effective Social Media Posts." This democratizes the knowledge base and fosters cross-departmental learning.

Adaptability and Continuous Improvement

Unlike printed manuals or static documents, video content can be easily updated to reflect changes in processes, tools, or company policies. This adaptability ensures that employees always have access to the most current and relevant information. Moreover, with analytics tools, companies can monitor video performance, gather insights, and continuously refine content for better efficacy. Viostream has these tools built natively into the platform for video managers. 

Conclusion

In the age of digital transformation towards remote work, the way companies approach internal training and knowledge sharing is undergoing a significant shift. A video-centric knowledge base stands out as a potent tool, marrying the power of visual learning with the convenience of digital accessibility. 

As organizations strive to empower their employees, foster self-reliance, and optimize knowledge transfer, turning to video could very well be the key to unlocking unparalleled efficiency and engagement.

Viostream is purpose-built to help companies train and onboard employees faster. Learn more about our Training and Learning offering.