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The Top 10 Reasons To Consider Implementing an e-Learning Program in your Organization
By Deborah Miller

It is possible for an organization to obtain enormous gains in efficiency and effectiveness when applying e-learning to the right problems and in the right way. Here are my Top 10 Reasons to consider e-Learning programs in your organization.

Number Ten: Lifelong Learning
No longer can we hire a new employee, place the employee in a job, and walk away. The changes in technology alone have required organizations to rethink who they have in each job, and the skills that they need today. Your best employees understand that in order to do their job effectively, they need to keep up with the latest changes and learn the new ways of performing their job. E-Learning is one way employees can update their skills and knowledge – just-in-time, when it matters to them.

Number Nine: Constant Change
Organizations are facing changes on a daily basis and those who keep their employees up-to-date have a better chance of survival. E-Learning allows you to disperse information quickly and to a wider audience than ever before.

Number Eight: Education for Partners and Suppliers
Not only can you help your employees stay up-to-date on the latest product offerings, you can also educate your suppliers and customers, no matter where they are located in the world. Customers are often willing to pay money for training, and e-learning can be used to create new revenue streams for organizations.

Number Seven: Faster rollout of new products, leading to faster time-to-market
The ability to develop, introduce and rollout internal product or customer training can lead to faster time to market, earlier revenue streams, and enhanced competitiveness. Using rapid development processes, e-learning can give your organization a head-start.

Number Six: Tremendous Cost Savings
Research has shown that about 40 cents of every dollar spent on in-person training is eaten up by travel and lodging costs. Brandon Hall, a well-recognized industry expert, believes that organizations can experience a 40-60% cost savings when comparing instructor-led courses with technology-delivered courses.

Number Five: Training Aligned to Your Points of Pain
Management wants to know “what’s in it for me” when approached to implement an e-learning program. By tying the business case for e-learning to the organization’s points of pain, you not only answer the question for managers, but you also address the issues that are important to the organization. E-Learning, as with any new initiative an organization is considering, needs to be aligned to the organization’s goals and objectives. Developing e-learning programs that specifically address the critical issues the organization faces is imperative.

Number Four: Higher Knowledge Retention Rate
A recent U.S. Congressional study demonstrated a 250% improvement in knowledge retention when using e-learning compared to classroom training. The reason for this is that students can proceed at their own pace, returning to review information that they do not understand. Students also have the option in many e-learning programs to send instant messages or chat with other students and mentors to enhance the learning environment.

Number Three: Training Available 24/7
Whether your organization prefers employees to learn during work hours or after, the convenience of e-learning programs available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is compelling. Employees have access to continuously available just-in-time information and “refresher” training when it makes sense to them. The result is a more knowledgeable and effective workforce.

Number Two: Less Time Away from Job
Classroom training requires that employees be away from their jobs for longer periods of time than with e-learning courses. Travel time is eliminated with e-learning programs. In addition, e-learning courses are often shorter but result in higher retention rates than traditional classroom training.

Number One: Increased Learner Satisfaction
By empowering individuals to develop their own skills, when THEY want, enhances employee motivation and reduces job turnover. E-learning programs offer students courses that are tailored to their needs, just-in-time. This is a critical issue for adult learners who need to be able to obtain knowledge at the time they need it and in a manner that preserves their self-respect. Anytime, anywhere learning can greatly increase employee retention and satisfaction.

In Summary
The growth of the Internet enables learning programs to be customized for your organization. E-learning has come a long way from the earliest models of page-turning and electronic books. Aptimise is available to help you make a compelling business case for the adoption and implementation of e-learning in your organization. Ask how we can help.