In today’s business landscape, unpredictability is the only constant. Organizations are continually looking for ways to streamline operations and reduce costs. Unfortunately, learning and development teams often find themselves among the first to feel the impact of these budgetary pressures. Learning leaders are challenged to be more strategic, meeting training goals and critical deadlines with reduced resources.
In this blog, we’ll explore why the importance of having an eLearning partner on standby isn’t just beneficial, it’s a strategic imperative to ensure you never miss a training deadline.
Rising Demand for eLearning Solutions in a Changing Business Environment
Several key business factors can rapidly increase the demand for learning solutions, often without much warning. Here are three scenarios that amplify the need for well-designed, scalable learning:
- New Product or Software Rollouts: Introducing new tools, products, or software to employees, customers, and channel partners requires effective training to ensure proficiency and adoption.
- Compliance and Regulatory Changes: Compliance is non-negotiable and often carries strict deadlines. New regulations, policy shifts, or security protocols will require swift action to ensure organization-wide compliance.
- Business Transformation Initiatives: Whether restructuring, introducing new processes, or adopting cutting-edge technologies, transformation initiatives often necessitate large-scale training.
Planning Ahead: Why You Need to Know Your eLearning Partner
The best time to onboard an eLearning partner isn’t when an urgent project arises. Preparing in advance provides three essential benefits:
- Avoid the “Fire Drill” of Last-Minute Onboarding: Bringing in a new partner with looming deadlines can be risky. Onboarding them beforehand lets both teams align on processes and expectations without the pressure of tight timelines. And it may take some time to activate a new vendor in your company’s financial system for tax and payment purposes. So getting a head start is always recommended.
- Insight into Instructional Design Capabilities: An eLearning partner has unique strengths. By working together early, you can understand where they excel. Knowing this in advance allows you to deploy their expertise precisely when it’s needed most.
- Understanding Scalability: Growth is rarely linear, so an effective partner should be able to manage both small projects and large-scale rollouts. It’s not just about handling scale, the emphasis should be on supporting areas where your internal capabilities may be less robust.
Developing a Working Relationship with Your eLearning Partner
To build a reliable and productive partnership with your eLearning provider, consider these best practices:
- Start with a Pilot Project: Launching a smaller project first provides insights into the partner’s strengths, project approach, and how well they integrate with your team. You’ll get a sense of their workflow, communication style, and adaptability.
- Establish Clear Communication Channels and Set Expectations: Open lines of communication foster transparency. Define points of contact, preferred tools for collaboration like Slack or Teams, and feedback channels. Set expectations for responsiveness, reporting frequency, and the level of involvement in strategic discussions.
- Assess Project Timelines and Delivery Consistency: Knowing whether a partner can meet deadlines and stay within budget is critical. During the pilot, observe their ability to deliver on time and assess the quality of work produced under real conditions.
The Cost of Waiting is Too High
In a world where L&D teams face ongoing resource constraints, waiting until the last minute to evaluate an eLearning partner isn’t recommended. Just as you wouldn’t buy insurance during a flood, seeking out an eLearning partner only when an urgent need arises can leave you vulnerable. With a trusted eLearning partner on standby, you’re equipped to navigate sudden learning demands and technical expertise ensuring that your team’s reputation remains strong.