Discovering Your Perfect eLearning Strategy
Deciding between off-the-shelf eLearning solutions and custom programs can be daunting. To assist in this endeavor, we focus on the advantages of custom eLearning development tailored for corporate training.
In a previous article, we explored the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. Many organizations worldwide have benefited from personalized eLearning, and we want to ensure you understand why.
The Essence of “Custom”
I once had a custom blazer made—it was precisely what I wanted: a retro check in vibrant greens and browns. Unfortunately, the skirt was a miscalculation; it was too small. True story!
Here’s a tip: just like my tailoring experience, custom eLearning can fall flat if the needs analysis is mishandled. But let’s focus on the positives!
Custom eLearning is about crafting a learning experience that resonates with your organization’s unique challenges, processes, and aspirations.
This approach fits your company like a glove, addressing specific pain points and operational quirks that set your organization apart. Custom solutions truly shine in scenarios like these:
- Your organization has distinct processes or proprietary systems needing specialized training.
- Your industry faces challenges that generic courses don’t cover thoroughly.
- You need to incorporate company-specific case studies and relevant examples.
- Your training requires focus on cultural or regional nuances.
- You aim to gain a competitive edge through specialized knowledge.
Off-the-shelf courses often miss the mark during these crucial learning moments. The targeted knowledge that differentiates your organization in the marketplace is effectively delivered through custom eLearning. When executed well, tailored courses enhance employee training, enabling them to apply their newfound skills directly to their roles.
Additionally, you gain more autonomy. While off-the-shelf options tie you to the provider’s update schedule, custom content can evolve with your organization’s needs, ensuring continuous relevancy and freshness.
It’s worth noting: custom solutions typically come with a higher price tag than off-the-shelf courses. Yet, it’s essential to evaluate their long-term value.
Key Advantages of Custom eLearning Solutions
Discussing tangible benefits like ROI can be tricky for such subjective offerings as learning experiences. However, bespoke eLearning programs transform conventional training into strategic advantages. Here are some key benefits:
Targeted Skill Development
With custom eLearning, you can hone in on the exact skills your teams require, embedding learning into the context of their daily activities.
Consider these successful eLearning examples:
- In construction, engineers participated in tailored reviews specific to their workflows, as illustrated in the Burns & McDonnell case study.
- We customized general compliance training to meet the requirements of IRA professionals (CorporateNerd case study).
- One project revolved around cultural preservation, creating a manual for construction work on archaeological sites (RCU case study).
Sales teams could utilize your specific CRM system to enhance customer interactions, showcasing the immediate applicability of training.
This relevance accelerates skill acquisition. If training aims to improve personal relationships with customers, providing real-life examples from seasoned colleagues will foster quicker retention than theoretical models.
Alignment With Company Processes
Every organization has unique workflows. Corporate eLearning can mirror these intricacies, eliminating confusion that arises when employees need to bridge the gap between generic training and specific processes.
This aligns perfectly with targeted skill development!
Real-World Scenarios Pertaining to Your Industry
Building on the previous benefits, custom eLearning allows you to integrate authentic challenges and successes found within your organization. These real-life instances make training more engaging and offer practical solutions grown from your context.
Ultimately, this lends authenticity to your eLearning, which is invaluable for fostering trust in both the brand and the people behind it. Your employees will recognize your investment in their development, which often translates to enhanced loyalty.
Image courtesy of Iva Cvrlje/ewyse.agency
ROI: The Measurable Outcomes
If you consider custom eLearning programs, the upfront costs may surpass those of off-the-shelf courses. However, the returns—both ROI and ROE—will also likely be higher.
Creating tailored courses ensures you’re engaging your audience with content that resonates with their needs, resulting in noticeable positive impacts.
Business performance metrics can often be translated into time and financial gains. If team efficiency improves, tracking these metrics becomes easier: faster execution of tasks, heightened customer engagement, and stronger sales outcomes are all possible with effective training.
Cultural Integration and Brand Consistency
Custom eLearning development excels in reflecting your organizational culture and brand, thereby creating authentic learning experiences. Here’s what to consider:
- Brand voice and visual identity: Your company’s personality should resonate in every learning module, ensuring that your materials are visually on-brand.
- Company values and mission: Rather than just displaying values like “INTEGRITY,” show them in action through authentic examples that define your culture.
- Relatability and connection: Tailored eLearning captures the essence of your workplace—inside jokes, familiar scenarios, and relatable content resonate better with teams.
- Creating memorable lessons: When training materials reflect daily work life and organizational values, lessons, and insights become more impactful.
As you craft your eLearning courses, remember that substance is vital. Visual appeal enhances engagement, but the core message and clarity of purpose should govern all design decisions.
Image courtesy of Iva Cvrlje/ewyse.agency
Conclusion: Striking the Right Balance with Custom eLearning
The full benefits of custom eLearning development for corporate training can be realized by balancing clear objectives, engaging content, and your unique company ethos.
As you embark on the journey of creating custom eLearning programs, ensure you have the necessary resources to develop the optimal curriculum. This requires aligning key stakeholders and subject matter experts to take on their roles throughout development.
Whether you’re creating in-house or collaborating with an external agency, one truth remains: success hinges on thorough planning, realistic timelines, and a focus on impactful learning outcomes. The most flashy course won’t deliver results if it fails to educate effectively. Ensure that any engagement tactics serve your primary goal of fostering learning and development.
Now, go ahead and build those tailor-made eLearning programs, ensuring they align with your goals. Your team—and your future self—will thank you.
References:
[1] Burns & McDonnell: eWyse Case Study
[2] CorporateNerd: eWyse Case Study
eWyse
eWyse is an award-winning agency, using a unique methodology known as the 3C Framework to develop exceptional eLearning courses that engage, entertain, and educate while aiding companies in achieving their objectives. Let’s discuss your vision!
