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Tips for Scaling your Training System

Prosperity LMS is synonymous with scalability and flexibility – it’s what we do best. As a client-focused, partnership-based company, our top priority is making sure each customer gets an LMS as unique as their business, along with the right amount of support through each stage and phase of the process.

A flexible and scalable learning management system is a multi-tiered, multi-location business’s best friend. When a large company or corporation decides to employ a learning management system, deciding where to start can seem overwhelming. Could we be your new best friend?  

Instead of creating a complex system that spans multiple locations and departments, we recommend starting small. It is always possible (and unequivocally easier) to scale up -- rather than starting too big and having to re-structure the entire thing. Sooner is better than better. It may seem appealing to map out every thread in the training system web -- but that has the potential to get you tangled up. By jumping in with one objective, you will reduce the amount of time it takes to get value from the system, as well as lessen the overwhelm of creating a complex system all at once.

Here is what we recommend for starting small: 

• Pick a focus project – Decide on the smallest project that will bring value to your company. Whether that be on-boarding, compliance, safety, quality, or a unique-to-you training program. See the diagram below for choosing a subcategory to start your focus project.
                                                                   

• Assess the project as you go – Once you've decided on your focus project, how will you know you're getting value from it? Value can typically be defined in two ways: faster and/or better.  
  
  Examples of "faster" would be when it takes you less time to do a specific task, such as:
  
  
  • preparing and distributing reports
  • scheduling classes
  • handling out-of-compliance learners
  • delivering, scoring, and tracking tests
• 
  Examples of "better" would be when the results you get are more accurate and/or more detailed than you currently have, such as:

• • tracking the time a student spends reading a course
  • tracking the time it takes for a learner to complete a test
  • automatically assigning training based on job requirements -- instead of leaving the decision up to supervisors

• Make modifications and scale – Before you decide to scale the project (or how to scale it), meet with your team to gather feedback, see what worked, and what needs to be adjusted so you can feel confident in pushing it out on a larger scale. In fact, this is a great time to consult with your LMS provider for feedback as well. The right LMS partner will have insight into your project and be able to share best practices with you.
  
  The benefits of starting small are many. Save yourself from the pain and suffering of trying to do too much, too soon, and come up with an attainable plan of which you can be sure. From there, scaling up is a cinch.

Integrating your LMS with 3rd-party systems is a necessary step. However, it may come with unanticipated hurdles. 

Take a look back on one of our infographics to see four common issues that arise with integration, as well as our advice on how to handle them.

Prosperity can integrate with just about any system to streamline your workflow and make things easier for you and your users.  Common integrations include SSO for seamless access, HRIS and CRM systems for user account synchronization and updates, and payment gateways for eCommerce.

No matter which systems you use, the Prosperity team can help you put the integrations in place to make your training more successful.

New year, new…training?

Whether or not you conform to the “new year, new you” thinking at the start of January, an occasional shake-up or re-imagining does have its perks – especially when it comes to your employee training.

Forget the diets, budgets, and gym memberships (well, maybe don’t, if that’s your jam) and let’s take a look at your training content and see how a few small tweaks can make a difference.

1. Take Stock of All Current Training Programs
What programs are you currently using – are they working well for you? For your employees? Is the content relevant and up-to-date? Taking the time to peruse and assess your current programs will have a ripple effect throughout your company. Properly trained employees are informed and engaged, resulting in better performance, fewer accidents, and overall, time and assets saved. 

2. Check Employee Training Data
While you’re at it, check that all of your employees are also up-to-date on their training requirements. Administrative tasks like these often fall through the cracks, so consider running monthly (or weekly) automated reports to keep up with deadlines and data. Send email reminders to employees for upcoming or overdue training. Read more about reporting here.

3. Consider Implementing (or Revamping) Microlearning
Microlearning is an effective method for specialized training, refresher courses, and supplementing long-form training. It also boasts higher retention and engagement among users because of its often fun, easy-to-consume delivery. If you are already using microlearning in your training, see if there are additional courses you could add – look for gaps in training you noticed when you did your assessment.

4. Compile Existing Training Extras (and Create a Few New Ones)
Gather all of your existing training extras – info-graphics, charts, videos, PDFs – and decide what stays and what may no longer be relevant. Create some fresh additions to fill in those gaps that may be present. 

If you don’t already have a reference library, it’s a great tool to have in your training arsenal. Take all of the training content that you’ve updated, as well as the supplemental extras, and keep it all in one place. Not only is this a great organizational tool for you or your training supervisor, it’s infinitely valuable to your employees to have access to training materials, all the time. If you do have a reference library already, give it a little TLC – when’s the last time you did a little dusting, a little polishing?

We may scoff at the idea of new year, new anything, but let’s be honest -- it’s not a bad idea to rethink your training content to make sure you’re getting the most out of it. You’ve already done the work, make it work for you.

Better yet, make us work for you --

During my second year of college, I signed up for a macroeconomics class. I had only ever heard of microeconomics, but macro means big, right (?!) and I was considering opening a business. So, I decided bigger was better, and I went for it.  However, bigger does not always mean better, you guys -- and I quickly learned that in order to understand macroeconomics, one must have a firm grasp on microeconomics (a grasp I did not have, since I’d never taken microeconomics).

Micro, macro, what’s with the Greek prefixes? Well, besides confounding the English language (that’s a whole other blog post), they essentially mean small and large, respectively. Throw one of those bad boys in front of a word, and it changes the meaning. Like, macroeconomics or microlearning.  

What is Microlearning?

Microlearning is bite-sized, user-centric learning that is efficient and effective. Unlike macro-learning, where things can get in-depth, microlearning cuts straight to the point – without sacrificing relevancy or value of content.  Studies have found microlearning to be more engaging for learners, and not surprisingly, the knowledge retention rate is higher. 

Make no mistake about it -- you cannot just cut your same old training into smaller chunks.  Microlearning modules and learning paths should be specifically created to engage the learner, quickly convey the necessary information, and support the retention and application of that knowledge.

A good rule of thumb for your training is “Just long enough to cover the subject, but short enough to stay interesting.”

What are some examples of Microlearning?

• Show examples with short videos
• Use info-graphics and diagrams
• Provide concise text and step-by-step instructions
• Test learning often with just a few focused questions
• Build a library of just-in-time “how to” training items
• Require short follow up refresher courses to increase learner retention
• Incorporate quick online training modules and quizzes to supplement classroom training

How will Microlearning benefit me (and my learners)?

• It’s faster and easier to create and deliver than complex training
• It’s more engaging
• It leads to better retention
• It’s on-the-go friendly (and we all know that ease-of-use and accessibility are a top priority these days)

So what are you waiting for?  Microlearning is an invaluable tool for training and eLearning that can save you and your learners time, and make your training more effective. 

Got questions? Want to suggest a topic? Set up a demo? Let us know 😊

I was born right on the cusp of the digital era. Everything wasn’t digitalized yet, but things were rapidly changing – and I got to learn in both worlds. I learned how to type on a keyboard in first grade and write in cursive in second grade. By the time I made it to middle school, technology had become second nature, which on the surface might seem cool, but ... then my parents started using it. Oy vey.

Even after a considerable number of years showing them how to use the internet, create email accounts, and restart a router, I still get the (more than) occasional phone call – as if I am some sort of tech wizard (I google practically everything).

Luckily, Ziiva is happy to be the helpful resource for your students – and you! (Sorry – you’ll still have to help your parents with their router.) As an admin, we walk you through the system until you’re comfortable with how it works. After that, everything else is a cinch! (And if it’s not, we’re just a phone call away to work through any hiccups that might pop up.)

The Student Interface

The top feature of the Prosperity LMS is the ability to be highly customizable, so when it comes to the student interface of your training system, it can be as simple as you want it to be.

We will match your existing website for a seamless experience for your learners and customize a layout and workflow that quickly gets learners where they need to go.  Start with one of our mobile-friendly templates, or let us know what you want and we'll make a site as unique as your business.

For Our Manufacturing Clients

Ease-of-use is the leading concern of manufacturers regarding their training. Employees don’t have the time for a complicated, time-consuming runaround. To make sure your employees get the vital training they need to do their jobs properly and safely while getting them on the job quickly, Prosperity LMS offers

• A training portal that is simple and easy to navigate
• The ability to include videos, visuals, and a reference library of related materials and how-to training
• A quick way to sign off on SOPs, work instructions and competencies
• A layout that works as well on a mobile device on the shop floor as it does on a computer

For Our Clients Who Sell Training

Clients that sell their training and content with an LMS are also interested in an easy-to-use student interface, but perhaps more so, they are looking for a visually appealing portal. When you partner with us to sell your training, we

• Brand your site(s), so you can maintain your image
• Let you decide how you want to market and sell training – bundles, a la carte, discount codes, bulk purchase
• U.S.-based tech support by phone and email available to you AND all of your users
• Are happy to share our experiences and best practices and always willing to work with you to come up with new or different solutions

Perhaps one day my mother will stop trying to use CNN as a search engine and my dad will be able to set up an email account all on his own. Or perhaps not. Either way, I'll be there to help them -- and Ziiva will be there to help you.