learning_management

Just when you think you have all the answers there’s something that comes from left field and gets you to challenge your views on life, the Universe and now Learning Management Systems (LMS). We all know there’s a wide range on the market with varying levels of functionality and complexity ….. And cost! Ranging from free’ish (e.g. Moodle to gold plated variants)

In the early days an LMS was a pretty straight forward piece of kit to understand. It was in simple terms a data repository that allowed the organisation to keep track of employee learning and development and training spend. They have developed since then to include: E-learning, talent management and performance management to mention just a few of the augmented offerings.

The left field incident is my sudden realisation that we now have this so called generation (Gen) Z marching its way into the employment pool over the next few years. As Gen X individual, I have a handle on Gen Y, but these new guys and girls do things differently e.g. point with thumbs rather than index fingers! They also interact with technology differently. My concern is that the ‘bog standard’ LMS will not allow the functionality and freedom Gen Z is looking for. So before I spend the next 3 days in endless research has anyone out there got some good ideas … please?

In my travels around the UK I am still amazed that many relatively large organisations are using a succession of Excel spreadsheets and Access data bases to co-ordinate and plan training rather than using a ‘Learning Management System’. In some cases I have seen over 20 such databases trying to make sense of venues, delegates, tutors, payments and training histories. It’s no wonder that the HR/ Development team struggle to keep on top of things and waste so much time on basic tasks.

The solution is out there, it’s a dedicated Learning Management System (LMS). There are lots of good ones out there ranging from some pretty good freeware to an ‘all bells and whistles’ solution that talks to your Oracle/ SAP network and forms part of an integrated ERP solution. The secret is to install an Learning Management System that’s right for you and not listen to the salesman. After all you don’t want a beast in the corner that needs continuous feeding or end up only using 15% of the capability, for 100% of the cost! As a vendor neutral managed Training Services provider we don’t have an axe to grind and therefore we will find what’s best for you, help you install the system and migrate that data from your spreadsheets and even run it for you.

The benefits of installing the right Learning Management System are not only monetary i.e. you will save at least 50% of your current administration costs but you also have a real grip on what’s happening in your training and development function… so again why delay call today!