Why ready-made eLearning content might not be enough
Imagine this scenario. You're exploring options for an eLearning course and come across a ready-made one that appears to tick all the boxes. The content is professionally crafted, the topics seem to sync with your training requirements, and it's set for immediate deployment. On the surface, it appears to be the perfect solution.
But fast forward a few weeks, your team starts the course and realises it doesn’t quite hit the mark. Perhaps it overlooks the unique challenges your organisation faces or lacks relevance to your industry. It might be too generic, not aligning with your company's culture, values, or specific procedures.
In this blog, we'll delve into the potential pitfalls of ready-made courses while showcasing how bespoke eLearning can empower your team to reach their full potential.
Posted 11 July 2023
When generic just doesn't cut it
Take, for instance, an off-the-shelf course on 'customer service'. It may cover the basics such as effective communication, handling complaints, and maintaining a positive attitude. But what if your business operates within a niche sector, for example, transport? Here, customer service might involve a thorough understanding of complex ticketing systems, timetabling, handling disruptions, and communicating safety procedures. A generic course might fall short, leaving your team less equipped to handle these industry-specific challenges.
Why bespoke eLearning content can be a game-changer
With bespoke eLearning, the content is tailor-made to fit your unique needs, so these issues simply don't exist.
A bespoke eLearning solution is designed from the ground up, keeping your specific business context, culture, and objectives in mind. It can incorporate your branding, utilise scenarios unique to your organisation, and include content that directly addresses the challenges your team faces daily.
For example, a custom eLearning course on 'workplace safety for XYZ Construction Co.' wouldn't just discuss industry-wide safety principles. Instead, it would be finely tailored to the company's unique circumstances and needs. If XYZ specializes in high-rise projects, the course would focus on high-rise safety. If they operate in regions with extreme weather, the course would address these specific environmental challenges. The course could also provide detailed guidance on the machinery and materials specific to XYZ, along with case studies based on the company's own experiences.
How bespoke eLearning makes your life easier
Now you may wonder, "Isn't creating bespoke content a lot more work?" At face value, it may seem so. But when you delve deeper, you'll realise how this approach can significantly simplify your life.
Bespoke eLearning content is a one-time investment that pays dividends in the long run. Instead of continually patching together multiple ready-made courses, you'll have a solution that's precisely tailored to your needs.
Consider the time and energy you'd save when your team no longer needs to sift through irrelevant content. With a bespoke solution, they'd get straight to the point, maximising their learning efficiency.
Moreover, a tailored course resonates more with the learners, thereby increasing engagement and improving knowledge retention. In turn, this can boost their performance and productivity, bringing tangible benefits to your organisation.
For instance, if you're a manufacturing company introducing a new production line, a bespoke course on the machinery's operation, specific safety measures, and quality checks would be far more effective than a general course on 'industrial safety'. Employees could grasp the nuances faster, reducing the learning curve and speeding up the production ramp-up.
Making the right choice: bespoke or ready-made
Choosing between bespoke and ready-made eLearning content is not about right or wrong. It's about what works best for your unique situation.
If your learning requirements are generic and time is of the essence, ready-made content could be a good fit. However, if you're dealing with specific, complex, or unique training needs, a bespoke eLearning solution might be the ideal choice.
The key is to identify what's best for your learners and your organisation. So take some time, analyse your needs, and make an informed choice. After all, great learning experiences are not found, they're designed.
How eCom helps
If you're looking to create bespoke eLearning content, tailored specifically for your organisation, or you want to spruce up your existing content, we're more than happy to help. Using our co-creation approach, we collaborate closely with you to craft impactful eLearning experiences that help you get the results you want.
To find out more, please visit our Bespoke eLearning content page.
