As businesses worldwide strive to equip their employees with the right skills and knowledge, the choice between off-the-shelf training and custom eLearning solutions has become increasingly crucial. Many Learning and Development (L&D) departments often grapple with deciding which route to take, and the distinction between the two can sometimes be unclear. 

This article aims to share tips on determining which of the two will yield you the maximum return on investment: an off-the-shelf program or a customized learning solution.

Table of Contents:

• Generic V/s Unique Needs
• Generic V/s Specific Topics
• Motivated V/s Not Motivated Audience 
• Need for Alignment with the Organizational Culture
• Measurement of Effectiveness
• Conclusion

Generic V/s Unique Needs

Every organization is unique, and so are its training needs. When you have a diverse workforce with varying job roles, responsibilities, and skill levels, opting for personalized training for employees becomes paramount. Off-the-shelf training often offers a one-size-fits-all approach, which may not adequately meet the specific demands of your organization. Custom eLearning solutions, on the other hand, empower you to create training content that caters precisely to your employees’ requirements, ensuring they receive the most value from the learning program.

Generic V/s Specific Topics

Before making the make-vs-buy decision, it’s essential to assess your organization’s specific learning needs across functions and levels. Off-the-shelf training may be suitable for generic topics with widespread applicability, like compliance training or fundamental software usage. However, if your organization has distinct requirements or niche knowledge areas, custom eLearning development might be the ideal choice. Tailoring content to your employees’ roles and responsibilities can lead to more relevant and engaging learning experiences, ultimately boosting their performance and productivity.

Motivated V/s Not Motivated Audience 

Employee motivation & engagement is crucial for the success of any training initiative. While most off-the-shelf training covers in-depth content on generic topics, such content may lack the interactivity and engagement necessary to captivate learners fully. Such training is ideal for motivated learners with an innate interest in learning — for example a student in the pursuit of an academic degree.

For employees with a full-time job and little motivation to study, custom eLearning training solutions might yield better ROI. This is because custom eLearning solutions offer the advantage of incorporating interactive elements, gamification, and multimedia, making the learning process enjoyable and immersive. Engaged employees are more likely to retain knowledge, apply it effectively, and stay motivated throughout their learning journey.

Also Read: Top 5 Reasons to Consider Learning and Development for Your Workforce

Need for Alignment with the Organizational Culture

Incorporating your organization’s unique culture and values into the training program can reinforce employee identification with the company’s mission. Off-the-shelf training may not fully align with your company’s ethos, potentially leading to a disconnect between the content and your employees’ daily experiences. Custom eLearning solutions and development allow you to weave your organizational culture into the training, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose among your workforce.

Measurement of Effectiveness

Tracking the effectiveness of your training initiatives is crucial for continuous improvement. Custom eLearning solutions provide greater flexibility in designing assessments and evaluations that directly align with the learning objectives. By tailoring assessments to the content, you gain more accurate insights into your employees’ progress and knowledge retention. This data-driven approach empowers you to identify areas of improvement and refine your training program over time.

Also Read: 10 Reasons to Invest in Custom Scenario-based eLearning

Conclusion

When it comes to an employee training program, the choice between off-the-shelf and custom eLearning solutions can significantly impact the effectiveness and outcomes of your initiatives. 

By assessing your learning objectives, unique training needs, employee engagement goals, organizational culture, and the need to measure effectiveness, you can make an informed decision that ensures a well-crafted and successful learning program. 

Investing in a custom eLearning solutions provider for your enterprise training can offer complete training solutions featuring comprehensive and tailored training experiences that foster employee growth, productivity, and overall organizational success. 

Need help with building an L&D strategy best suited for the learning needs of your organization? Employ the services of Hurix Digital and watch the magic happen! Write to us at marketing@hurix.com and let’s start a conversation.

Antara Harve

Performance, Results, Growth, and Life-Long Learning define my professional life. I am passionate about making workplace learning planful, purposeful, and impactful. I take pride in partnering with clients and bringing them the best in learning design and creating solutions that address business challenges.