How to Ensure Your Employees Remember Everything About Your Product

In 2023, U.S. organizations spent approximately $101.8 billion on training initiatives, recognizing that knowledge is a powerful tool for success.

However, knowledge alone isn’t enough—it must be retained and applied to create real impact. Without effective retention, training becomes fleeting information that is quickly forgotten and rarely used.

So, how can companies ensure that training is engaging, effective, and built for long-term knowledge retention?

What Is Product Knowledge & Why Does It Matter?

Steve Jobs said, "Get closer than ever to your customers. So close that you tell them what they need well before they realize it themselves." This principle underscores the importance of product knowledge—understanding what a product does and how it creates real value for customers.

Product knowledge is a deep understanding of a company's products, services, and solutions, including features, benefits, and problem-solving capabilities. This expertise is essential for guiding customers, addressing concerns, and ensuring a seamless experience for sales and support teams.

A Salesforce study found that almost 90% of customers say a company's experience is just as necessary as its products or services. A well-trained team with strong product knowledge doesn’t just sell—it delivers an exceptional experience, fostering trust, satisfaction, and long-term customer loyalty.

Knowledge retention is essential for:

• Operational efficiency – Employees perform better and adapt faster to change.

• Stronger problem-solving – Teams make informed decisions with retained knowledge.

• Maximizing talent – Businesses can focus on upskilling instead of retraining.

• Gaining a competitive edge – Companies that retain knowledge outperform their competition.

Product Knowledge Retention Strategies to Boost Employee Performance

According to the Association for Talent Development (ATD), employees may forget up to 90% of training within a year if training is not reinforced. Therefore, companies must implement strategies that enhance knowledge retention and drive long-term business success.

Deliver Training in Bite-Sized Microlearning Sessions

Employees absorb and retain information better when training is short, focused, and seamlessly integrated into their daily workflow. Instead of lengthy, overwhelming modules, breaking complex product training into concise, digestible lessons makes it easier for employees to recall key details.

A study from The Journal of Applied Psychology found that microlearning improves retention by up to 80% compared to traditional learning methods. Companies like Google and Unilever have adopted microlearning strategies to make workplace training more engaging and effective.

This method works because spaced-out, short learning sessions help reinforce concepts over time, ensuring that employees remember and apply knowledge when they need it most.

To learn more about the benefits of microlearning, read our blog: “Microlearning In 2025: Research, Benefits, Best Practices.”

Personalize Learning with AI-Driven Adaptation

Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, believes that "Training should be about creating a culture of continuous learning, where employees feel valued and supported." But one-size-fits-all training often leads to disengagement. AI-driven adaptive learning ensures employees receive personalized training experiences based on their progress, strengths, and knowledge gaps.

A study by McKinsey & Company found that companies using AI-driven learning systems increase employee engagement by 50% and see higher retention rates. Leading firms like Amazon and IBM have leveraged AI-powered training programs to tailor learning experiences to individual employees.

Personalized learning ensures that employees receive only the most relevant content, reducing cognitive overload and making training more effective.

Integrate Learning into Everyday Tools

Employees are more likely to engage with training when it fits naturally into their existing workflow. Companies can embed training into employees' daily routines by delivering short, engaging lessons through SMS, Slack, Microsoft Teams, or mobile-friendly platforms.

Research from Deloitte indicates that companies using "learning in the flow of work" experience 30% higher training completion rates and better long-term retention. Companies like Accenture and Salesforce have successfully implemented this approach to enhance workplace learning.

Training happens in minutes, not hours, without disrupting productivity—leading to higher engagement, completion rates, and better knowledge retention.

Reinforce Learning with AI-Powered Nudges and Assessments

Neuroscientist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered the "forgetting curve," which shows that without reinforcement, people forget 70% of new information within 24 hours and 90% within a week. To combat this, companies need to implement AI-powered reinforcement strategies, such as:

• Spaced repetition – Key product knowledge is reinforced over time.

• Quick, interactive assessments – Short quizzes ensure knowledge is applied.

• Nudges and reminders – Personalized prompts keep employees engaged in their learning journey.

Continuous reinforcement ensures that employees don’t just learn—they retain, recall, and apply knowledge when it matters most.

Use Real-Time Data to Optimize Training

Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, has always emphasized the power of data in decision-making, stating, "What we need to do is always look into the future and ask, ‘What’s next?’" Tracking training effectiveness is essential for improving knowledge retention over time. AI-powered analytics provide real-time insights into:

• Engagement rates – Who is actively learning, and where do drop-offs occur?

• Knowledge gaps – Identifying areas where employees need further reinforcement.

• Performance trends – Ensuring product knowledge training is continuously optimized.

Research by Gartner found that businesses using real-time learning analytics see a 42% improvement in employee performance and can refine training programs five times faster than traditional evaluation methods.

By adjusting and improving training in real time, businesses ensure that employees stay informed, confident, and well-prepared to apply their product knowledge effectively.

Incorporating AI in training and content creation has helped companies retain employees' learning. For more information, read our blog, "How AI Simplifies Employee Training—From Content to Delivery."

Traditional Training vs. AI-Powered Sales Training Software

Overview

Traditional training refers to conventional, instructor-led learning methods that have been widely used in corporate environments for decades. These training programs often involve in-person workshops, lengthy classroom sessions, printed manuals, PowerPoint presentations, and pre-recorded e-learning courses. While these methods can be effective for foundational learning, they often fail to keep pace with the modern workforce’s agility, personalization, and retention needs, as studies show that employees forget up to 90% of what they learn within a week if it is not reinforced. 

On the other hand, AI-powered sales training software leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver personalized, data-driven, and continuous learning experiences for sales teams. Unlike traditional training programs, which rely on one-size-fits-all content, AI-driven platforms analyze individual learning patterns, assess knowledge gaps, and adjust training content in real-time to ensure employees retain and apply what they learn.

These platforms integrate with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS), sales enablement tools, and communication platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or mobile apps, making learning accessible anytime, anywhere.

What are the Considerations for Using AI for Effective Learning?

AI is a tool, not a replacement for human expertise, and organizations must approach it with a balanced perspective. Here are the most important factors when incorporating AI into training programs.

Ensure Quality Control

Content generated using AI is fast and efficient, but it isn’t flawless. While it can produce structured course materials in seconds, it doesn’t always guarantee accuracy or alignment with specific learning objectives. Information can sometimes be outdated, misleading, or overly generalized, so relying solely on AI without human review can lead to misinformation and confusion.  

To prevent this, organizations should always have a review process in place. Learning and development teams must thoroughly edit AI-generated content, verifying its correctness and ensuring it meets employees' unique needs. In this way, companies can maintain high training standards while benefiting from AI-driven course creation.  

Leverage Subject Matter Expertise

AI can structure content, draft materials, and suggest ideas. However, it cannot replace human experts' deep knowledge and real-world experience.   

Organizations should view AI as a collaborative tool rather than a standalone solution. AI can handle the heavy lifting of structuring content and generating foundational material, but subject matter experts play a vital role in refining and enriching the content. 

Avoiding Bias and Promoting Fair Learning

AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on. If an AI model pulls from biased or incomplete data, it may unknowingly generate content that lacks inclusivity, misrepresents perspectives, or reinforces stereotypes. This is a significant concern in corporate training, where fairness and diversity should be at the core of learning initiatives.  

Companies should also actively seek diverse data sources when training AI models to ensure fair representation. Ethical AI use isn’t just about compliance. It’s about fostering a workplace culture that values fairness, accuracy, and respect for all learners.  

Choose the Right AI Tools

With an overwhelming number of AI-powered training tools available, selecting the right one is crucial. Some AI platforms specialize in content generation, while others focus on adaptive learning or assessment creation. The key is to choose tools that align with your organization's training goals and technological infrastructure.  

Tools should generate content, provide customization options, provide real-time feedback, and use robust data analytics. The right AI tool doesn’t just create courses; it enhances the learning experience by making it more interactive, relevant, and results-driven.  

Recreate Content with AI: Balancing Innovation and Human Expertise

Artificial intelligence transforms training and learning in ways we never imagined, but its success depends on how we use it. Embrace AI thoughtfully to unlock its full potential while maintaining the integrity of its training programs.

With Arist, we understand the balance between AI-driven innovation and human expertise. Here's how it can empower content creation and training. 

• AI-powered course creation: Generates structured, engaging training materials in minutes.

• Personalized microlearning: Deliver bite-sized lessons tailored to each learner’s needs.

• Seamless integration: Easily connect with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS).

• Real-time feedback & analytics: Track progress and optimize learning outcomes.

• Scalable & accessible training: Reach employees anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Recreate your content and training today. Book a demo now!