Listen to the learners: How to improve the effectiveness of online training

Abstract

Purpose

Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

For the vast majority of organizations, training is crucial to their prospects of achieving and sustaining competitive advantage. According to American writer Thomas J. Peters, training is so important that firms can never “overspend” in this area. Maybe so. But against an increasingly tougher economic background, company leaders are naturally looking to make employee development as cost‐effective as possible. To this end, a mounting number of organizations are turning towards online training to provide the solution. And why not? The mechanism permits a flexible approach that enables training to be supplied exactly when and where it is required. These just‐in‐time capabilities can mean a hefty saving on the distribution costs associated with the more conventional training courses. Any satisfaction at cutting the budget will, however, be short‐lived unless the format proves effective.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.

Citation

(2009), "Listen to the learners: How to improve the effectiveness of online training", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 28-30. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777280910970774