The digital transformation of companies has accelerated sharply in recent years and still more so in 2020. The lockdown period that we have all experienced has impelled companies to reinvent themselves and demonstrate their creativity. Having to face new challenges and adapt to new working methods, digital technology has come to support activities in many areas. Training is clearly part of this, and many businesses are discovering or rediscovering the possibilities and advantages of online training. With an expected growth of more than 250% in 2024 as compared to 2015, there is no doubt that online training is chock-full of benefits. To help you, in this article we have brought together the 10 indisputable reasons for companies and their learners to move to digital training.
Top 10 indisputable reasons to change for Digital Learning
1. Accessibility
Thanks to online training, geographical remoteness is no longer a barrier to learning. Learners, wherever they are, can access training at any time. In addition, most online training solutions today are responsive or offer native mobile applications. This means that learners will be able to access knowledge from any digital medium (PC, tablet, smartphone). Furthermore, some providers offer mobile applications accessible in disconnected mode, allowing learners on the move or in places without an internet connection to have access to their training. A company with such solutions can then reach an unlimited number of learners, regardless of their geographical location.
2. Cost-effective solution
It is no accident that this advantage is cited very frequently! Online training allows companies to reduce their costs, in particular by reducing logistical costs: room rental, transport, housing, trainers, equipment. In addition, once composed, the content is infinitely reusable for several groups of learners. Learners no longer need to attend a remote venue for a day or more and can follow their training at their own pace without detaching themselves from their duties and workplace.
3. Adaptation to different learning needs and styles
Each individual has preferences in terms of learning. Online training allows you to provide your learners with different types of content, methods and tools: videos, text, exercises, quizzes, serious games, challenges, infographics, virtual and augmented reality, podcasts, etc. In this way, you can be sure of responding to a maximum of individual preferences and engaging and satisfying the largest number of learners.
Also, online training solutions allow you to address different audiences: employees, customers, partners, distribution networks, by providing them with different content and services according to their needs.
4. Autonomy
Online training works to a great extent on the principle of autonomy. That is to say, the learner may independently go at his own pace according to his level of knowledge / basic skills. The training path adapts according to preferences and individual progress. It is also possible to give access to a catalogue of diverse and varied content so that everyone is trained according to their wishes on subjects of their choice. One of the objectives of online training is also to create involvement and commitment on the part of the learner. It must act in order to be able to evolve.
5. Performance measurement and reporting
At company level, each investment must help to achieve a business objective. Knowing how to measure it is therefore essential. Thanks to the reporting made available in online training platforms, it is possible to track its effectiveness. That is to say, data such as module completion rates, satisfaction rates, time spent, results obtained, engagement on forums can be easily exported.
On the learners’ side, they will be able to follow their progress easily by means of a privileged space. For example, they will have immediate access to their score following a quiz. This will allow them to assess their level and decide on what knowledge/skills to acquire. Gamification tools including leader boards, badges and certificates give learners some recognition for what they have accomplished and motivate them to continue.
6. Administration and data processing
The administration and processing of learner data is one of the main advantages of online training for the company. That is, training, particularly in large companies, generally involves hours of administrative work. Someone needs to follow up on learners: assignment to training programmes, completion, registration etc. Thanks to online training, employees are directly registered on the platform and all the follow-up is done from there by means of interconnections with the company’s HRIS. Data reports can be exported very easily at any time!
7. Accompanying the development of the company
Online training is particularly adapted to the technological developments of our time. Indeed, people are spending more and more time on computers, smartphones or tablets and are therefore will be especially comfortable with new training technologies.
More and more professions are using technology, so why should we miss out on it in training?
In addition, online training tools make it possible to distribute training and information to populations that could not have been reached until now because they are too far away geographically. We are thinking in particular of companies with customers or distribution networks all over the world. They can now use training to educate these populations and make training into a real competitive advantage.
8. Collaboration and gamification
Acquiring certain skills requires more than notes or a video. Sometimes it is necessary to put the learner at the heart of the training and make him or her take an active part. For this, online training solutions offer various methods: collaborative learning, user-generated content (UGC), gamification, challenges etc. These methods are also an excellent way to boost learner engagement through the establishment of a dynamic and caring training environment.
These are genuine learning levers and can be tweaked in accordance with the company culture and the target populations.
9. Integration with other tools
Some e-learning solutions can be integrated with other solutions already in place in the company and allow information to be shared in a secure ecosystem. One might mention Business Intelligence tools, directories, CRM, HRIS, virtual classroom tool or document management.
In addition, it is also possible to interface online training solutions with virtual classroom tools.
10. Extended connection and standardisation
It is often difficult for companies with multiple teams, offices located in different parts of the world or teams working from home to bring them together in shared training programs. Online training solutions allow companies to deliver the same content, in the same way to all their learners from the same population all around the world. The content will then be pooled and standardised for all, but the shared online training platform will also make it possible to put learners in contact with each other.
To learn more about this aspect, we invite you to download our white paper on the 7 lessons of Digital Learning without borders.
Conclusion
The implementation of an online training solution within your structure will allow you not only to achieve business objectives but also to generate a real learning culture around your organization. Indeed, your entire ecosystem will be able easily to benefit from it: employees, customers, partners, distribution networks etc.
So, when will you get started?
