The LMS has evolved over the years, but many organisations are either unhappy with their initial choice, or down the line, find it isn't flexible enough for them to scale as the organisation grows or changes.
We spend a lot of time in consultancy conversations and just catching up with clients and friends who either work in Human Resources or Learning & Development (or both!). Many work in medium to large organisations, which are going through periods of change - either growth spurts or internal reorganisations. Some are just getting started with what they call eLearning and others are much further into their ‘eLearning implementations’. Very few are satisfied with their progress!
LMS training: getting THE RIGHT SUPPORT
For those just getting started, the options are overwhelming and they are not clear on the path they should take. For those along their learning journey, they feel that eLearning has over promised and under delivered.
In all of these cases, the buyer’s expectations have not been met. You should be demanding more from your LMS providers to better support your business.
What is interesting to me is the language these LMS brokers are using. They talk about digital learning courses as a second-rate option to classroom learning and instructor led training. When we dig a little and look behind the marketing messages, it seems that the learning management systems (LMS) and what they can deliver, are not engaging learners or providing skills development, but purely to reduce the costs of travel and attendance for classroom courses. This approach does not meet the expectations of the learner nor the CEO.
If you hangout on social media as often as I do, you’ll feel the same frustration as our clients do. Most of the thought leaders in talent development have been talking about ‘beyond eLearning’ and the ‘L&D crisis’ for some time. And although some change is happening in a few organisations, it is not widespread enough yet.
Today, we see a real moment of opportunity for talent development. The abilities of digital learning solutions, the needs of the modern worker and the expectations (and support) of CEO’s.
Who is advising these organisations?
We need to stop talking about eLearning, and the LMS system that delivers it, as just a cost-effective replacement to classroom learning. We can and should be doing so much better now. We need to work with our clients at a strategic level rather than just selling tools or content.
We need to make it easy for our clients to embrace modern learning technology - in all its guises - be that content, tools, automating key L&D processes or supporting informal learning, social learning and communication. Read our full guide to the LMS and Corporate Learning which
- Gives you a comprehensive view of current and future trends in digital learning content
- Explains, in easy-to-understand terms, the different ways that businesses can benefit.
- Describes the platform on which this content sits, the learning management system (LMS). It also describes the next generation learning management system (also called the learning experience platform)
If you work in Learning and Development, or simply interested in developing skills and talent in your organisation, then this guide is for you.
The evolution of the LMS
The LMS has evolved from a tool that was really difficult to use and not that motivating, to the latest learning experience platforms (LXP). These deliver learning content though adaptive recommendation engines. Some have additional features like adding social learning tools and gamification elements or including built-in authoring tools. Yet, it is unlikely that one platform will meet the needs of any organisation.
Today, to be agile in how you develop the talent of your organisation, you need a more flexible range of tools. In this diagram, we capture the evolution of the LMS over the past 20 years:
The Alternative to the LMS - the learning technology ecosystem
So what is the alternative to the LMS? It is an ecosystem, not just a one-off tool or set of lms training courses. You need a trusted learning technology partner who understands this and is willing to support you on your journey. Better still, ask your learning technology partner to help you with your organisation’s learning strategy. Our alternative to the LMS, combines both content and intelligent learning platforms - check out Percipio.
Your learning strategy should be focussed on solving your key business challenges such as cost and efficiency savings, staff engagement, talent development, performance improvement and meeting the specific business goals that have been set at a strategic level.
Don't miss the opportunity - create a high impact learning culture
We know that organisations who make best use of technology-based learning are more likely to be market leaders. We know that organisations with an established learning culture out-perform competitors by up to three times revenue.
Technology-based learning isn’t just eLearning content. It is a mind-set approach to looking at a range of technology to help your staff learn, perform and communicate.
CHOOSING a learning management system
We are LMS providers (UK, Europe, US and other regions) and have a team of people who specialise in making the LMS work for you and your organisation.
Our intelligent learning platform - Percipio raises the bar in so many ways. From flexibility, scalability and a great user experience - at last you can provide a learning service that will work for your business and your staff will love.
If you are as motivated as we are to truly make the best use of modern learning technology we'd love to hear from you.
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