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Proving the ROI of Video in HR: Metrics That Matter

Written by Matthew Peach | Dec 13, 2024 4:59:04 PM

Demonstrating the ROI of Video in HR: Key Metrics

Investing in video for HR initiatives isn’t just about keeping up with trends—it’s about driving real, measurable results. There are only so many things an HR Department can do that will result in an ROI, employee training, education, safety and leadership messaging are some big ones. From reducing costs to improving employee safety and productivity, video offers tangible benefits that resonate with everyone from executives to safety directors and HR professionals.

We have a fact pact blog about some metrics we’ve collected that demonstrate why it’s a smart investment for any organization to invest in your employees.

1. Lowering Insurance and Risk Management Costs

When it comes to workplace injuries, prevention is priceless. While it’s difficult to put a direct ROI number on avoiding injuries, the impact on insurance premiums and risk management costs is undeniable. 

Cutting Costs While Keeping Employees Safe:

  • Reduced Workers’ Compensation Costs: Businesses using video for safety training report up to a 60% reduction in workplace injuries. (Source: OSHA)
  • Lower Insurance Premiums: Companies demonstrating improved safety protocols through video training often secure lower premiums. For example, A Tier 1 International Manufacture used video to document processes and reduce injury rates, leading to significant workers’ compensation savings.
  • Improved Safety Compliance: Video helps standardize training, ensuring all employees meet regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of costly penalties or legal issues.

For safety directors, fewer incidents mean a safer workforce. For financial decision-makers, it’s a clear cost-saving opportunity. Our customers have found great success by decreasing the training time, and frequency of injuries to new employees. Some companies, especially manufacturing plants, put the number of days since the last injury on the wall as a constant reminder of how important safety is.

A Safer Team = A Win
Client partner feedback like this really makes us feel good about how our work helps people in so many ways:
“After we started using your training videos, we’ve had seasoned team members say they didn’t know certain steps after all these years and new employees get up to speed more than twice as fast. What’s most exciting is the plant manager told me this morning that we just hit a new plant record for most consecutive days without injury. The correlation of when we implemented the video program and this new milestone is not lost on me, and wanted to take a moment to thank you for your team’s work!” - Roger - CEO of a Tier 1 Auto MFG Based in Canada 

2. Increasing Productivity Through Training Videos

Efficient training is critical to keeping operations running smoothly. Video allows employees to learn faster, retain information longer, and apply skills immediately, boosting overall productivity.

Turning Training into Productivity Powerhouses:

  • Time Savings: Video-based training reduces training time by up to 60%, freeing employees to focus on their core responsibilities. (Source: Training Magazine)
  • Consistency Across Teams: Unlike in-person training, video ensures every employee receives the same high-quality instruction, regardless of location or trainer availability.
  • Quick Refreshers: Employees can revisit videos anytime to refresh their knowledge, ensuring they stay efficient and productive without the need for additional training sessions.

For operations managers, this translates into seamless onboarding and cross-training. For HR, it’s about maximizing the value of employee time.

Onboarding Faster Fills The Gap Faster
It’s comments like this from our customers that drive our team:
“We have many workstations, and I did not realize how often employees were moving between them to cover for our current staffing shortages. This led to significant material losses because people were stepping into tasks they were unfamiliar with. For us, a batch mix error can easily result in a five-figure loss. Employees were hesitant to take on these roles, but now, with the new training videos, we are setting them up for success. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive—employees appreciate being able to watch a video and understand their responsibilities before starting. They are now more willing to fill the gaps, and material loss has decreased across the board. Let us discuss a second round of videos soon!" - Lars, Plant Manager of a German based Chemical Manufacture Co in Michigan. 

3. Enhancing Safety and Empowering Independent Learning

Engagement is key to effective training, and video delivers it on-demand. By accommodating different learning styles, video eliminates the need for professional trainers to keep classes engaged.

Safety First: Empowering Employees with On-Demand Learning:

  • On-Demand Accessibility: Employees can learn or relearn at their own pace, whether it’s a safety protocol or a quarterly maintenance task.
  • Adaptable to Learning Styles: Video combines visual, auditory, and textual elements, meeting the needs of all learners. (Source: Shift Learning)
  • Improved Retention: Employees are 75% more likely to retain information from video than from text. (Source: Forrester Research)

For HR professionals, this creates a more self-sufficient workforce. For safety directors, it ensures protocols are followed precisely, reducing risks.

Building Bridges of Communication
“Transparency and connection have always been priorities for our team, especially as we bridge communication between our French headquarters and North American operations. Using leadership videos has made a tremendous difference. It allows us to share our company vision and address challenges with a personal touch, which has strengthened trust among our employees. The videos have also brought clarity to our goals, ensuring every team member understands their role in our success. This approach has transformed how we connect with our workforce, and the positive feedback we’ve received has been incredible.” - Nicolas Dubois, North American Lead at a French Based Plastic Parts Manufacture 

4. Demonstrating ROI Through Measurable Results

To secure buy-in from leadership, it’s crucial to highlight the financial and operational returns of investing in video. Metrics and data are your allies in proving the value of video initiatives.

The Numbers Don’t Lie:

  • Engagement Rates: Video-based communication is 3x more engaging than text-based methods. (Source: Social Media Examiner)
  • Reduced Costs: Businesses using video for compliance and training see a 30% decrease in associated costs. (Source: LinkedIn Learning)
  • Employee Retention: Engaged employees are 50% less likely to leave, reducing recruitment and onboarding expenses. (Source: Gallup)

For executives and financial teams, these metrics demonstrate clear value. For HR leaders, they underscore the strategic importance of video in driving long-term success.

Showcasing Achievements Improve Low Moral
“Recognition is such an important part of our company culture, but it was always a challenge to make it meaningful and consistent. Since introducing employee spotlight videos, the impact has been incredible. Whether it’s celebrating production milestones or individual achievements, these videos have created a sense of pride and connection across our teams. Employees feel valued, and it shows in their engagement and productivity. It’s become one of the most effective ways to boost morale, and we’re planning to expand it to highlight team successes as well.”
- Sarah Mitchell, Operations Manager from an Illionals Based Bottled Water Company 

 

Making the Case for Video in HR

Whether you’re focused on safety, productivity, or cost management, video is an essential tool for modern HR teams. It reduces risks, empowers employees, and delivers measurable ROI that resonates across every department.

If you’re ready to explore how video can transform your HR strategy, consider our team at M-1 Studios. We have been working with HR teams since 2008 helping create high-impact videos tailored to individual needs. 

Contact us today to start the conversation!