For the first time, we are taking you on a 2-part knowledge series on the topic of “e-Learning as a WIN factor for companies”. Because e-learning has become an indispensable part of our working and private world. You have probably already completed e-learning training courses – for example, on the topics of occupational safety or compliance. But how can e-learning really be positively established in all corporate layers and deeply embedded in the corporate culture? These are the questions we will be exploring now and in the second part – so welcome to the first part of the knowledge series.

e-Learning is here to stay. According to a study from 2017, around 77% of American companies already rely on e-learning for further training measures. This trend is certainly accompanied by various changes in the market. In particular, the topic of “gamification” has appeared more and more in e-learning in recent years. Not without reason, the gaming industry recorded a growth of 20% from 2019 to 2020.

Online courses simplify access to training and enable many benefits, especially in this Covid-19 era. These benefits can be very cost effective for your business. Because it is possible to replace the previous face-to-face events with digital ones. Forecasts show that the changeover is even desired.

Important: Surveys almost all show that the current e-learning offer is mostly insufficient in terms of quality.

Therefore, when implementing e-learning or converting to e-learning, it is especially important to address quality issues. Above all, you should ask yourself what can be done internally and what should be outsourced. In most cases, outsourcing parts of the project is the ideal option to be able to provide good e-learning.

Why should e-learning be established in the company and who benefits from it? Do a needs analysis and compare the ACTUAL state with the TARGET state you want to strive for.

What all has to be done in the process?

• Definition of goals from the e-learning area
• Personnel requirements (graphic designer, programmer, e-didact, LMS operator, …)
• External contracting: Which subareas can be outsourced
• Technical requirements (cloud solutions, in-house learning management systems, end devices for e-learning, etc.)
• Role assignments
• Budget
• What should be taught – rough overview of topics
• Are technical elements available e.g. video studio?
• What quality criteria does e-learning actually have?

Their goal is to establish e-learning in the company and make it popular. This requires internal marketing. To do this, find key leaders to support you. Further training measures are also part of employer branding and this need should not be underestimated, especially in times of crisis.

What to consider:

• Concrete measures for internal communication
• How are trainings advertised
• Use internal marketing channels
• Development of an automated strategy
• Communication guidelines
• Creation of advertising material
• Assistance: webinars “What is e-learning and what benefits can be achieved with it?”
• Use social media to promote the company’s training measures (promote attractiveness) – but for this, the e-learning should be prepared in a high-quality manner.

There is no 100% master plan to establish e-learning in the company. What matters, however, is that before you start planning or developing training, consider how digital knowledge transfer will take place in the company.

Say goodbye to the following thoughts right now:

• With PowerPoint I realize the trainings – that costs us almost nothing
• e-Learning is easy to establish in the company
• We already have all the classroom sessions in the form of PowerPoint
• A learning management system is quickly installed and as open source even free of charge
• As an amateur graphic designer I realize didactic approaches without problems
• No one needs programming, we save that for ourselves
• Didactics also works without programming / development
• Scripts? The PowerPoint is the best script, the rest I do

Implementing e-learning in the company is certainly not an easy task! Think of change management or consulters/consultants who are brought into the company especially for this step – but they are not always there. Therefore, you need a strategy that should also withstand some complications.

To implement this strategy, you need the understanding of your employees. You can learn more about this in the next part of the knowledge series on the topic of “e-learning as a WIN factor for companies”.