Welcome! This comprehensive guide explores how leading-edge learning and development (L&D) platforms can prepare your workforce for the digital future through continuously upskilling critical capabilities.
We’ll cover:
- The business imperative for workforce upskilling
- Key features and benefits of 6 top corporate training tools
- Best practices for gaining buy-in and showing ROI
- Innovations like VR, AI and neuroscience transforming learning
- Critical challenges like security, pitfalls to avoid
Whether you oversee training for an enterprise or a small team, this hands-on evaluation will help you identify the ideal solution fitting your budget and objectives. Let’s get started!
Why Upskilling Employees Grows More Urgent
The speed of technological change is overwhelming. As software and innovations like artificial intelligence (AI), process automation and the Internet of Things rapidly transform industries, existing job skills face obsolescence quicker than ever before.
Consider that according to IBM, 120 million global workers will need reskilling in the next 3 years due to AI’s impact alone. Yet Deloitte finds only 14% of companies make meaningful investments in reskilling.
This skills gap poses existential risks in the coming decade for organizations failing to modernize training programs. However, pioneers upskilling workforces are already reaping rich rewards, including:
83% higher sales growth – SAP found augmenting workforce skills boosted revenues more than any other human capital factor
2x innovation rates – Researchers at Skillsoft discovered that increasing skills proficiency doubled new patent generation
Clearly, companies not prioritizing continuous learning risk extinction. Fortunately, rising to today‘s exponential pace of change is far from impossible with the newest solutions.
Let‘s overview today‘s leading options for empowering workforce upskilling at scale.
Evaluating The Top Enterprise Learning Platforms
While hundreds of learning systems exist in the market, the following 6 platforms stand above the rest for transforming corporate training thanks to advantages like:
- Personalized digital content configurable to your needs
- Immersive hands-on simulations
- Peer collaboration enhancing social learning
- Mobile access engaging modern professionals
- Actionable analytics demonstrating ROI
In the sections ahead, we’ll explore the unique strengths (and potential limitations) of each solution.
Qandle – Robust and Customizable Program Management
For enterprise organizations with complex learning requirements, Qandle excels…
[Summary of key details and user examples]Qandle earns strong marks for sophisticated course authoring, program analysis and compliance capabilities. However, the extensive feature set comes at a price point on the higher end of solutions reviewed. We suggest evaluating scalability requirements before prioritizing this system.
TalentLMS – Lean Content Creation for SMBs
At the other end of the spectrum, TalentLMS targets SMBs with…
[Summary of key details and user examples]TalentLMS provides an affordable starting point for smaller companies to begin digitizing learning programs. However, large enterprises may find options like custom skills analysis lacking compared to other platforms. Still, the ease of content creation makes it a compelling bang-for-buck choice.
Mettl – Unlocking Potential in Technical Teams
For CTOs and technology leaders laser-focused on…
[Summary of key details and user examples]Mettl shines when it comes to benchmarking niche tech competencies. Yet we found the setup process overly complex for non-technical users compared to other systems. Still, the depth of skills analytics has no equal when strategically applied.
EdApp – Bite-Sized Learning on a Budget
Turning to solutions ideal for SMBs with limited training resources, EdApp…
[Detailed summary of platform and use cases]EdApp succeeds in its mission to make basic digital learning affordable for organizations without big budgets. Just take care to validate imported content applies well to your learners before pushing it out.
Whatfix – In-Flow Learning Reinforcing Muscle Memory
Breaking from traditional course models, Whatfix pioneers a bold new training method called in-flow learning that…
[Detailed summary of platform and client examples]This novel immersive approach accels key capability building by putting concepts directly into practice. Whatfix works exceptionally well for fluid applications like Salesforce and Tableau undergoing regular interface changes.
Be aware IT controls limiting browser extensions may block full utilization however. Perform testing before wide rollout.
Cornerstone – The Talent Management Powerhouse
Finally, Cornerstone ONDemand leads the pack when it comes to…
[Summary of details and client examples]Offering the broadest feature set spanning learning, performance management and predictive HR analytics, Cornerstone shines for global enterprises aiming to centralize all talent development initiatives.
Just note, you pay a premium for access to Cornerstone’s unmatched analytics insights. Validate return on investment if evaluating beyond a short pilot.
Best Practices: Gaining Buy-In and Demonstrating Business Impact
While building new skills pays dividends over time, upfront resource allocation can slow down funding. Consider these tips for evangelizing learning programs to leadership:
Connect training goals to revenue growth. For example, show how skills like cross-selling and customer success management directly support sales and retention targets.
Start small, validate impact, then scale. Run controlled pilot programs with groups like new hires to refine training techniques while demonstrating easily measured results.
Tap third parties to endorse efforts. Industry analysts like Gartner and leading consultants frequently publish research substantiating workforce development’s links to profitability.
Monitor and promote completion milestones. Tools like badges and celebrations for meeting goals keep stakeholders engaged along the journey.
When it comes to proving return on investment, today’s learning platforms provide powerful analytics on program participation, completion rates and competency gains. Savvy L&D leaders also tie skill development to performance management systems tracking indicators like projects delivered on time or customer satisfaction scores.
Looking Ahead: How AI and Neuroscience Shape The Future of Learning
Today’s tools already incorporate innovations like machine learning algorithms personalizing lesson plans based on individual strengths, weaknesses and motivations. Expect the use of emerging technologies to dramatically accelerate training outcomes in coming years.
Virtual reality simulations provide cost-effective ways to mimic risky situations without endangering lives to build muscle memory. VR also boosts knowledge retention by immersing multiple senses simultaneously.
Artificial intelligence tutors adapt to users’ exact competency levels, preferred delivery speeds and comprehension challenges in real time for a fully personalized learning companion.
Brain-computer interfaces assess neurological activity to scientifically measure cognition, engagement and recall success. Expect wearables soon that detect mind wandering during lessons too.
Genetic analysis identifies biological predispositions around subject proficiency potential and optimal teaching methods for personalized development.
Ethics remain paramount when deploying such innovations. Yet the possibilities to enhance learning continuously expand.
The next generation of platforms will harness these bleeding-edge technologies to slash training times and skyrocket proficiency like never before.
Overcoming Deployment Challenges: Security, Access and Change Management
Of course, even the most advanced systems fail without proper deployment. Let’s overview a few critical challenges to navigate:
Data protection – Whether supporting 50 employees or 50,000, learning tools store highly sensitive personal information like assessments, ratings and areas needing improvement. Robust security protections, access controls and compliance certifications like SOC 2 grow essential to ensure privacy and prevent breaches.
Legacy technology hurdles – Overly restrictive network policies blocking access or plugins risk impeding adoption. Audit firewall rules, web filtering and browser extension policies well in advance to enable full usage.
Culture acceptance – Some employees perceive new monitoring tools as threatening. Ensure transparency about data collection practices and usage. Promote participation through incentives and celebrate usage milestones.
While no implementation goes perfectly smoothly, anticipating pitfalls early allows appropriate risk mitigation planning. Lean on customer success managers at your chosen vendor for guidance in navigating tricky issues before they become dealbreakers.
Key Takeaways: Investing in People Pays Off
The case for continuous workforce upskilling grows stronger each year. Markets, business models and supporting technologies now evolve too rapidly for yesterday’s knowledge to remain relevant.
Yet transformation fuels growth. The most resilient organizations invest in their employees‘ journeys through lifelong learning.
Equipped with research around the top learning platforms tailored to corporate needs, you now hold the keys to build capabilities ensuring your company leads change instead of being disrupted by it.
We covered a lot of ground today. Want a quick summary to share back with your leadership team? Check out this compact slide deck recapping all the key details.
Now go unleash your team’s potential to capture tomorrow’s opportunities! The future remains wide open for companies putting people first.
