7 REASONS WHY ONLINE TRAINING IS AS GOOD IF NOT BETTER THAN IN-PERSON TRAINING

Hayley outlines seven reasons why online training is as good if not better than in-person training, including one you may not know about…

Online training is as good as if not better than in-person training.

But not just for the usual reasons.

Online training is being utilised more and more now by organisations who recognise the benefits of delivering their learning in this way.

Online training provides:

1) Cost-efficiency
Online training is a great way to save costs both for employees and organisations by minimising unnecessary travel expectations, reducing expense claims and limiting the amount of time taken out of the business.

2) Flexibility
Covid-19 accelerated the expectations employees have around flexible working and gave organisations a wake-up call to establish a healthier work-life balance for their staff.

3) Better reach
Online training reaches wide audiences, both nationally and internationally, and those working from remote locations, allowing diverse groups to get together quickly.

4) Convenience
People enjoy the convenience of logging onto live virtual sessions from their homes or places of work – employees typically question the need for travel if they are invited to a classroom event away from home.

5) Improved Accessibility
Well-designed and delivered online training provides equal opportunities for people who are neurodivergent and people with disabilities can access training in a way which suits them, as they do other aspects of their work.

6) Increased engagement
If an online training session is designed with a new skillset and mindset, it can increase engagement, interaction and retention. It provides an opportunity for all learners to get involved, including the quieter members of the group.

But most businesses miss the sweet spot – when the online training session finishes, and offers:

7) Immediate Application
If the session focuses on the practical ‘What can I do now?’ then this is where the magic happens:

• Instant application instils confidence super quickly and removes that gap between a training room and the workplace.

• It hones the skills immediately which validates the training content by adding value, buy-in and credibility, answering the question ’What’s in it for me?’

• Learning is reinforced in the flow of work. The context for application is super clear.

• By applying skills immediately, learners are more likely to retain them, leading to increased productivity, better outcomes and an immediate return on investment.

Online training vs in-person training: a real-life case study

Fujitsu initially started working with us in 2020 to implement a large-scale webinar rollout, aimed to support managers with their new performance management approach across the UK and Europe.

Within four months of our initial conversation, we delivered highly interactive and impactful virtual training to over a thousand managers – without the need to set foot in a training room.

Their managers implemented their learning straight away resulting in an exciting adoption of career conversations, coaching questions, objective settings and a growth mindset – all driving performance. The pace of delivery did not compromise quality and the outcomes were achieved with all the benefits I have set out above!

Since then, we have worked with Fujitsu on several management and leadership interventions using this webinar model as a basis for delivery. We have a loyal group of people regularly joining the sessions and providing excellent feedback.

Consider your in-person training

I pose a challenge to you as the reader.

Do you have a big roll-out project in mind which feels too big to deliver on quickly? Consider your current in-person training, does it need to be delivered this way? Why wouldn’t you deliver your training virtually to avail of the benefits it brings to learners and your business?

There is a better way.