Don’t be misled by the title of this blog!
I mean it.
So many organisations purchase an eLearning platform and then a couple of months down the line regret the decision and wish they could hand it back.
They then look at the small print and notice the tie in.
“Oh no, a 12 month contract” you think.
Some are longer, 36 months.
We receive so many calls like this. It’s frustrating for the client because they want out. It’s frustrating for my team because the L&D Manager is not in purchasing mode until another 5 months.
It’s a lose-lose.
Let me tell you 3 pitfalls that many people make when choosing a learning platform.
Self-Directed Learning ONLY
One mistake is purchasing a platform and expecting your people to browse merrily through the elearning content on their own.
This won’t happen.
It probably won’t even be the platforms fault unless the UX is horrid.
Build it and they will come rarely works.
Instead, the platform needs to be able to create and facilitate personal learning journeys where each learner can create programmes for themselves and have programmes created for them.
The system then drip feeds the content to them over time.
Your Content Sucks
It doesn’t matter how good your platform is, if your elearning content sucks then it will not be used.
I hear of organisations with great content and a poor system. I hear of organisations who use a great LMS but have poor content.
They are each as bad as each other.
But normally the platform gets tarred with the same brush as the content.
“We need to change our learning platform” you hear
This is closely linked to the first pitfall. If you’ve got great content but no vehicle in which to use it properly then you will be stuffed.
Clunky User Experience
Of course your learning platform might just suck!
So many are clunky and hard to use. They have been created and designed by techy nerds and not learning and development professionals.
Some are ridiculously hard for admins AND learners. A double whammy.
And what is hard to use simply won’t be used.
Final Thoughts
When selecting your next learning platform don’t just pick the one that is giving you the puppy dog eyes.
The one with all of the bells and whistles. The AI, the virtual reality engine and the genie that reads your mind.
Instead, pick the one that is right for your business and one that will get used.
A learning platform is not just for Christmas.
