As a small firm owner, you know that keeping your team's skills sharp is crucial for success. But implementing online training when you have fewer than 100 employees can feel like climbing a mountain. If you're struggling to get your online training program off the ground, you're not alone. Let's explore some common challenges and practical solutions to make your online training efforts a success.
The Resource Squeeze
Unlike larger corporations, small businesses often operate with lean teams where every member wears multiple hats. This makes it difficult to:
1. Dedicate time to training: When everyone's juggling multiple responsibilities, finding time for learning can seem impossible.
2. Handle administrative tasks: Managing a training program requires time and effort that small teams may struggle to spare.
Statistic: Research shows that online courses generally uses 40-60% LESS time than covering the same material in a classroom. (https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/301248/15-facts-and-stats-that-reveal-the-power-of-elearning)
Solution: Consider partnering with a learning provider that offers flexible, self-paced courses. This allows employees to learn when it fits their schedule, without disrupting daily operations.
The Technology Tangle
Implementing an effective online learning program isn't just about content. It also requires:
1. Learning Management System (LMS) costs: Many LMS platforms are priced for larger organizations, making them prohibitively expensive for small businesses.
2. Technical expertise: Smaller companies may lack the in-house IT support needed to manage and troubleshoot e-learning platforms.
Statistic: 85% of employees want the flexibility to choose when to complete their training [which an LMS facilitates]. (https://www.lorman.com/blog/post/39-statistics-that-prove-the-value-of-employee-training)
Solution: Look for providers that offer user-friendly platforms with included technical support. This can help you overcome technology hurdles without straining your resources.
Content Conundrums
Creating or curating relevant, high-quality training content is a significant challenge:
1. Limited budget for off-the-shelf courses: Quality pre-made courses can be expensive, especially when you need a variety to cover different roles.
2. Lack of in-house expertise: Small businesses often don't have subject matter experts who can create custom training materials.
Statistic: Retention rates from elearning content has been shown to range from 40% up to 60% higher than via in person training. (https://www.devlinpeck.com/content/elearning-statistics)
Solution: Explore learning providers that offer a wide range of courses applicable to various industries and roles. This can give you access to professional content without the need to create it in-house.
The Engagement Enigma
Keeping employees motivated and engaged in learning is crucial but challenging:
1. Diverse learning needs: With fewer employees, you're likely to have a wide range of skill levels and learning preferences to accommodate.
2. Limited career paths: Smaller organizations may struggle to show clear progression opportunities, which can dampen enthusiasm for development.
Statistic: Employee engagement can be increased by up to 18% through the use of learning technologies. (https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/301248/15-facts-and-stats-that-reveal-the-power-of-elearning)
Solution: Look for training programs that meet learners at their level of readiness and offer a variety of styles (podcasts, videos, infographics, etc.). These features can help maintain engagement and make learning more relevant to daily work.
Measuring Impact
Without dedicated analytics tools, it's hard to track the ROI of your training efforts.
Statistic: Productivity per employee is shown to increase due to elearning by 15-25%.(https://thrivemyway.com/online-learning-stats)
Solution: Choose a learning provider that offers built-in progress tracking and reporting features. This can help you measure completion rates, assess skill improvements, and demonstrate the value of your training investment.
Remember
Implementing online training in a small firm requires patience and persistence. Start small, gather feedback, and continuously refine your approach. The long-term benefits of a well-trained, skilled workforce are well worth the initial challenges.
Next Steps
Ready to take your small firm's training to the next level? Explore Lone Armadillo Learning's flexible online training solutions designed specifically for small businesses. Our user-friendly platform and expert-led courses can help you overcome these common challenges and create a culture of continuous learning in your firm.
Contact us today to learn how our affordable, accessible training options can help your team develop essential skills and drive your business forward.
FAQs
1. Q: How much time should we allocate for online training each week?
A: Start with 1-2 hours per week and adjust based on your team's needs and workload. The key is consistency rather than duration.
2. Q: What types of content work best for online training in small firms?
A: Focus on practical content that addresses your team's immediate needs and challenges. Microlearning modules (3-5 minutes long) are often effective for busy small business teams, but length depends on the stage of mastery and topic.
3. Q: How can we ensure our online training is accessible to all employees?
A: Choose a mobile-friendly learning platform and offer content in multiple formats (video, text, audio) to accommodate different learning preferences and needs.
4. Q: How do we measure the ROI of our online training efforts?
A: Track metrics such as course completion rates, employee performance improvements, and customer satisfaction scores. Also, conduct regular surveys to gather qualitative feedback from employees and managers.
5. Q: What if we can't afford a dedicated LMS?
A: Consider partnering with a provider like Lone Armadillo Learning that offers an all-in-one solution, including a user-friendly platform and curated content library, at a price point designed for small businesses.
By addressing these challenges head-on and leveraging the right tools and strategies, your small firm can create an effective online training program that drives growth and success.
