As technology continues to transform the way we work, online training has become an increasingly popular option for companies looking to improve employee skills and productivity. However, not all learning systems are created equal, and selecting the wrong system can lead to wasted time, money, and resources.

In this article, we'll explore six common ways that companies make mistakes when choosing a learning system for their training programs. From choosing a system without technical support to neglecting to ask the correct demo questions, we'll provide practical tips and examples to help you make an informed decision when selecting the best learning system for your company's needs. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can ensure that your investment in employee training will yield significant returns and help your business thrive in a rapidly changing world.

1. Overlook Technical Support

When selecting a learning system, it's important to consider the technical support that's available to users. Technical issues can arise at any time, and without adequate support, users may become frustrated and unable to complete their training.

Having reliable technical support can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and successful training program. Technical support can help users troubleshoot issues, answer questions, and provide guidance on how to use the system effectively.

Examples of inadequate technical support include long wait times, unresponsive support teams, and inadequate resources for troubleshooting. In some cases, companies may not offer any technical support at all, leaving users to navigate technical issues on their own.

To choose a learning system with reliable technical support, consider the following factors:

  • Responsiveness: Research the responsiveness of the support team, including their average response time and how they handle technical issues.
  • Resources: Check that the system has adequate resources for troubleshooting, including a comprehensive knowledge base, FAQ section, and user forums.
  • Training: Look for a system that offers training resources to help users get up to speed on using the system effectively.

By choosing a learning system with reliable technical support, you can ensure that users have the resources they need to successfully complete their training, leading to a more effective and successful training program.

 

2. Prioritizing the Present Over the Future

One mistake that some companies make when selecting a learning system is to prioritize the present over the future. While it's important to choose a system that meets your current needs, it's equally important to consider scalability and growth. Failure to do so can lead to a system that becomes outdated quickly, requiring costly upgrades or even a complete overhaul.

When selecting a learning system, consider the following:

  • Scalability and growth: Choose a system that can grow with your company, both in terms of the number of users and the amount of content. This will help to future-proof your investment and prevent the need for costly upgrades or replacements down the line. Make sure to look for a system that can:
    • Accommodate a growing number of users, without sacrificing performance or functionality.
    • Integrate with other tools and platforms to streamline training and enhance user experience. Check out Knowledge Anywhere's LMS integrations here.
    • Be easily upgraded to accommodate new features and functionality as they become available.
  • Content ownership: Make sure the system you choose doesn't own all of your content, and that you'll be able to easily migrate your content if you eventually migrate off the system. This will help to ensure that you're not locked into a particular system and can easily switch to a new one if needed.
  • Quality and customization: Avoid the trap of choosing a learning system quickly because it's free or the cheapest, without thinking about quality or customization. This can lead to a system that doesn't meet your company's specific needs or doesn't offer the features and functionality required for effective training.

By prioritizing the present over the future, companies can end up with a learning system that becomes outdated quickly and requires costly upgrades or even a complete overhaul. By considering scalability and growth, content ownership, and quality and customization, companies can make a more informed decision that will help to future-proof their investment and meet their training needs for years to come.

3. Only Focus on Administrator Experience

When it comes to selecting a learning system, many companies focus solely on the features and functionality of the system from an Administrative or Training Manager perspective, while neglecting to consider the Learner experience. However, the user experience is crucial for the success of the learning system, as it can greatly impact the engagement and effectiveness of the training program.

If the system is difficult to navigate, Learners may become frustrated and lose motivation, may struggle to find the information they need, or may miss out on important features that could enhance their learning experience.

To ensure that you choose a learning system with a positive Learner experience, consider the following factors:

  • Ease of use: The system should be intuitive and easy to navigate, with clear instructions and an intuitive interface.
  • Customizability: The system should allow for customization to meet the unique needs of your company and employees.
  • Interactivity: The system should include interactive elements, such as quizzes, videos, and simulations, to keep users engaged and enhance learning outcomes.
  • Mobile accessibility: The system should be accessible on mobile devices, as many employees prefer to complete training on-the-go.

By prioritizing the Learner experience when selecting a learning system, you can ensure that your employees are engaged and motivated to complete their training, resulting in a more effective and successful training program.

 

4. Asking Everyone at Your Company What They Would Like to See

One mistake that some companies make when selecting a learning system is to ask for feedback from every employee. While it's important to gather input from different departments and levels, asking every employee may not be the most efficient way to gather feedback.

Instead of asking every employee, consider selecting a representative group from different departments and levels to provide feedback. This can help to ensure that you gather input from a diverse group of employees while also making the feedback process more manageable.

 

5. Sending RFPs to LMS Providers

One mistake that some companies make when selecting a learning system is to rely solely on sending out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to potential LMS providers. While an RFP can provide some information about the different systems available, it may not give you a complete picture of the system's features, usability, and overall fit for your company. It also does not allow you to try the system for yourself or see which companies offer great customer support, training, and free resources willingly and easily.

To find the right LMS provider for your company, consider the following tips:

  • Look for free trials and demos: Many LMS providers offer free trials and demos of their system, allowing you to try out the features and functionality for yourself.
  • Schedule free consultations: Some LMS providers offer free consultations with their experts, giving you an opportunity to ask questions and get a better understanding of how the system can meet your company's needs.
  • Check customer support and training resources: Look for LMS providers who offer great customer support and training resources, including free blogs, eBooks, videos, and Help Desks designed to help you get the most out of the system.

 

6. Improvise Questions to Training Companies

One mistake that some companies make when selecting a learning system is to improvise questions when speaking to potential training companies. While it's important to have a conversation with the company to get a better understanding of their system, improvising questions may not give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Instead of improvising questions, consider having pre-made questions ready for your support and sales teams to use when speaking with potential training companies. This can help to ensure that you gather the information you need to make an informed decision while also making the conversation more efficient and effective.

Click here for a full list of key questions to ask during an LMS demo. Also check out our free virtual downloadable resource that will help you make decisions - Free Virtual Resource: LMS Weighted Criteria Report Card.

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