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If you work in training, you already know the drill: when budgets get tight, training is often one of the first areas to face cuts and one of the last to see increases. That reality can feel discouraging, but it has also pushed me to get creative. At CHART, I’ve had the privilege of leading sessions on how to do more with less—what I call “training on a budget.” My goal is simple: to show you that you don’t need a Hollywood studio or a bottomless budget to create engaging, effective training. You just need to start with what you already have.

Competing for Attention

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” The truth is, we’re not just competing against the daily chaos of the restaurant or hotel floor—we’re competing against the smartphones in our team members’ pockets. On average, people touch their phones 144 times a day and spend more than four hours glued to their screens. Even those over 65 spend an average of 102 minutes a day on social media.

That matters because 72% of consumers say they prefer video over text when learning about a product or service. If video is how people want to learn in their personal lives, why would training be any different? To meet our teams where they are, we need to make video part of our toolbox—even on a shoestring budget.

Scripts, Snips, and Clips

I break down video creation into three parts: scripts, snips (equipment), and clips (production). Let’s start with scripting.

Don't tell them what you're going to teach them - teach them what you're going to teach them

Complicated scripts can stall the process. Instead, I use a five-step formula for 60-second videos:

  1. Hook your audience with an engaging intro.
  2. Explain why the topic matters.
  3. Give 2–3 clear, actionable steps.
  4. Show an example.
  5. Recap.

For example, teaching front-line staff how to greet guests doesn’t need a lengthy explanation. A quick hook, a couple of clear steps, and a short demonstration go a long way. Add a little “edutainment”—education with a touch of fun—and you’ll have something memorable.

Looking Professional Without the Price Tag

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a professional camera crew. Small tweaks can dramatically improve the quality of your videos. Raise your camera to eye level instead of shooting from below. Use natural light by facing a window. Add a basic microphone to improve sound quality.

From there, you can scale up. A $21 ring light, a $199 webcam, or a $350 panel light setup can all enhance your look and feel—but you don’t need them to get started. Most of us already carry an excellent camera in our pockets.

Lighting optionsCamera Options

Have Fun With It

Some of the best training content I’ve been part of wasn’t polished at all—it was creative. At Chipotle, our most popular National Avocado Day video wasn’t a glossy chef demo but a silly Snapchat filter that turned a team member into a talking avocado. It was fun, memorable, and most importantly, it worked.

At Piada, we’ve produced “Three-Minute Thursdays” with our executive chef and even a documentary series about our CEO’s journey. None of it required a blockbuster budget, just intentional storytelling and a willingness to experiment.

Start Where You Are

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that perfection isn’t necessary. What matters most is engagement. Instead of chasing compliance checkboxes, focus on whether your team is actually watching, remembering, and applying what they see. Start small, measure engagement, and use those results to make the case for more resources.

Your phone, your creativity, and your willingness to try are enough to get going. As I like to say, don’t overthink it—just start. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll see how powerful training on a budget can really be.