March 1st, 2010 by Learning Systems

Business process outsourcing is fast becoming the norm among large-scale companies and businesses, and offers some outstanding benefits. But it can also be a complicated venture, which is why strong LMS or other online company training is crucial for organizing and training employees whose work is outsourced.

Business process outsourcing (BPO) refers specifically to the contracting of business processes to a third-party service provider, instead of having them performed inside the company. It can involve the outsourcing of basic business functions like human resources or finances and accounting (back office outsourcing). Or, it can include customer-related services like contact centers and user support teams (front office outsourcing). Offshore, nearshore, knowledge process, and legal process outsourcing are four sub-segments of business process outsourcing.

Of course, business process outsourcing (especially off- or near-shore) can save organizations a great deal of money. Everything from labor to overhead costs like electricity and water bills becomes cheaper. However, it also means that it becomes increasingly important that employees are part of a supportive and efficient training system, in order to ensure successful distance team work.

BPO is nothing new. Outsourcing itself can be traced to as early as the 1830’s, when the U.S. commissioned workers in Scotland to build ship sales and wagon covers. By the 1970’s many computer companies were outsourcing their payroll preparation systems to different financial offices who offered these services. Manufacturing companies like Coca-Cola also began to use business process outsourcing, and more and more businesses caught on to the trend as the 70’s passed. By 1980, almost all company accounting tasks, as well as other kinds of work, were being sent outside company walls.

In relation to the frequency of business process outsourcing taking place, companies are paying greater attention to their learning management system training and other online training systems. Everyone wants to secure a process that works for his or her company, to reduce the cost of training by finding a customized solution and making it both adaptable and repeatable.

It’s never been uncommon for organizations to outsource content development, such as learning programs, management and company training, including tasks such as the production of books, training materials, videos, and other educational materials.  LMS vendors offer benefits such as flexibility, customization, and cost-effectiveness to organizations using BPO.

In the past, before learning management systems and other online training systems, training employees was a more decentralized process. Oftentimes, companies could not even be sure how much money they were spending on training across their enterprise. The process varied widely from group to group, and company to company.

Companies who use business process outsourcing can save money if they are able to centralize and repeat the process of training. This is where learning management systems are useful, since they allow users to create and deliver customized training solutions. Companies can make training their own, integrated with their logo and corporate color scheme. Learning management systems that use a pay-per-use business model make it easy to load and reload learning content as required for relevant, up-to-date training. This model allows organizations to help employees gain the skills and knowledge required in exactly the period of time necessary.

February 10th, 2010 by Learning Systems

Over the past few years, the effectiveness of Online Training has been spread all over the world. This also became one of the best options of any company who wants their employees or trainees to be able to have short courses taken without even going to a particular place. Basically, it makes the process much easier. Trainees and employees could be given the chance to work on the online courses either at home, or even while they are in their office workplaces as well.

Because of this growing innovation in the field of learning, it has been known and different names were given to it – sometimes it’s called online training, sometimes it is known as e-course, computer based training and different courses call it short online course. So, don’t get yourself confused with these terms, they all mean the same thing.

Aside from the different areas wherein computer based training is being used, most offices have also been using this learning course for compliance training. Well, compliance training is to ensure that all employees are aware of the rules and laws. Most often, it is necessarily needed for employees that are in the field of accounting, financing, business or even contractual business with the government. Offices who were informed that online training can also be used while in their office space and use it for compliance training.

If you would think about how employees were being trained before, there were short courses with a bunch of folders distributed, while in a short meeting room, or at least something familiar with that. It needs a trainer of course, and the schedule of all the employees should be synchronized. That sounds too much of a hassle, don’t you think? However, being blessed and with all the wonders of what technology can do, compliance training which is very needed by employees can be done easily.

Online training courses can be easily found online – and don’t worry, there are also lots of compliance training courses from some of these software. If you are still wondering why it is a must for employees to undergo these courses, using computer based learning, here are some reasons why:

First, a company/organization has different information that should be kept confidential – and not to be breached through any conditions at all. You must ensure that your company will be able to realize and get educated about these things. Rules and regulations of your company are very important. And it is your duty through online training to make sure that compliance will be implemented no matter what department they are in.

Secondly, there is no need to schedule the compliance training. You may get the chance to give them the courses, and just give them a scheduled date where they should be able to complete the course. That way, your employees will be given a chance to complete all the courses on their most favorable time of the day.

Finally, compliance training that is done online is more flexible, and even provides some interactive exercises. This way, employees won’t get bored and understand details that the online training has.

January 29th, 2010 by Learning Systems

As online training continues to get accepted in the corporate world, other industries are also looking at it as a solution. In sports, injuries to head are most common. When the head injuries are not serious, it is vital to evaluate sport related concussions before allows playing to return to play. Many injuries are not reported because of their mild nature and are overlooked by coaches, team mates and athletes as well.

Using online training as an assessment tool with parameters like reaction time and memory it is possible to assess cognitive function. The assessments ask the patient to identify shapes, words, and colors for at least thirty minutes. With the help of concussion guidelines and comparing the results, it is possible to categorize the severity of concussion.

The evaluation tool when used in an online training environment can be used for individual athletes or to a group. This assessment is designed to aid trainers and athletic physicians to make decisions of allowing players to return to play when they are unsure. The online setup provides easy access and quick administration of the test and has a reliable baseline. The result of the players can be sent to neurophysiologist for quick consultation.

The data provided is comprehensive and can also include processing speed and attention as parameters.  By repeating the tests, the data can be compared and ensures that the decision to play is safe. There are a number of tools that use online training setting to administer during play to identify cognitive deficits.

Besides athlete’s, children are also prone to concussions and neuropsychology focuses on assessment and management of concussion. Today, using assessments in an online training environment has proved to be reliable to distinguish between individuals that suffered from a concussion. The neuropsychological tests to baseline and identify post concussion syndromes include word discrimination, design memory, x’s and o’s, matching symbols, color match and three letters.

ImPACT is one such tool that evaluates concussions and post concussion syndromes along with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT). Some other online training environment based neuro-cognitive tests available for the evaluation of concussions include and the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics, CogSport and Headminders.

In order to teach doctors and sports trainers more about concussion or effects of mild traumatic brain injury, online training has been quite effective. They have provided clinicians with the knowledge required to understand the severity of concussions and suggest the duration for rehabilitation.

When athletes that has symptoms of concussion over one to two weeks is considered to have a post-Concussion Syndrome. In such situation, it is best to treat the individual by an experienced physician and facilitate quick neuropsychological testing. Using an online training setup, it is possible to take a quick test and use the data to baseline in case of injuries during a game.

Over the last few years, a lot of literary research has been conducted to manage head injuries and identify concussions.  There is a not too much controversy surrounding this simple and quick method of identifying concussion in online training by sports physicians and trainers to avoid further complications.

January 22nd, 2010 by Learning Systems

There is no doubt that a well trained workforce gives an edge to a company in today’s competitive market. Online training has gained tremendous popularity in the last few years, and provides companies with an opportunity to train employees. The main aim of online training is to ensure that employees have proper knowledge of their day-to-day tasks. This will not only help them improve their quality of work but also increase productivity.

For instance, human resources, managers, executives or employees involved in training and development would excel at work if they learn job related skills and tools through online training such as employee personality assessment tools. Through training and education they can perform better and learn how to select the right candidate for a job and retain them.

Employee personality assessment tools:

There are various career simulation, video and computer based technology online training courses that users can opt for. It will help the trainee enhance their knowledge of personality tests. Some of the important training courses for employee assessment include tools for assessing work ethic/reliability/pre-employment integrity, team analysis, knowledge of customer service, feedback survey for performance review or personality assessment for increased motivation.

Benefits of learning assessment tools through online training:

If you take up video training for testing employee personality type it will show you outcomes of job related scenarios in which candidates make selection of the best or least effective consequences. The feedback for this type of testing will help assess the performance of job-related skills of the test taker. Through online training, employees can educate themselves about different tests for employee personality type. With this training, the HR or executive can use these tests as a tool to measure qualities of an employee’s personality. It will help them assess their job performance. In a business personality test, the potential candidate will be asked few questions in which he or she will have to agree or disagree with proposed statements.

Employees can learn personality assessment tools through online training even at home or during weekends. It will help them choose the right candidate for a job and eventually increase the productivity at work. There are several home-study programs related to personality assessment of employees that can be taken up to enhance and advance knowledge in this field. These programs mostly include course materials like sample assessments, books and informational CDs.

Finding the right personality assessment tools:

When looking for an informative personality assessment tool, find training programs that have approval, accreditation or company certification from a renowned association. Programs that have a good credential will offer high quality information. There are several programs available that are customized according to the company as well as individual needs. It will help you understand your challenges and strength in the first place before you help others in identifying theirs. It helps to stay updated with industry literature about new developments in this field so that you can enhance your educational efforts.

January 20th, 2010 by Learning Systems

Why don’t more companies use a learning management system or other online training tools? An all-too typical company procedure for greeting new employees is their subjection to a long and dry training session. What does this training typically entail? It might mean simply the distribution of books, magazines, pamphlets or online documents. This kind of material is often simply handed to employees, who are left alone to make their way through it. 

The thought is that each newcomer will simply absorb the training content like a sponge, diving into its dry, sandy depths to later emerge with all the golden nuggets of knowledge secured. New staff members, it is expected, will settle and fit right in with very little prepping.

Why does this phenomenon occur? Often it’s because the company simply doesn’t have a real training or orientation plan. Companies often assume that traditional training methods, such as offsite training, are costly and unnecessary. Or whoever is in charge of training doesn’t have the time, or hasn’t anticipated having to make time, to be involved in employee training in a meaningful way. Handing out training content in this way certainly is easy, but ultimately ineffective, time-wasting, and damaging to employee morale.

Why is dry-as-dust training a bad idea? It’s a waste of time. But beyond that, the trainee will surely recognize it as such. This is a disappointing way to be welcomed to a new company, and can give one a bad first impression of a company. Will this job be a waste of the new employee’s skills? he or she may wonder. Or, is the company disorganized and ineffective? 

Online training is a simple, effective and low-cost alternative to training procedures lacking in substance. Using a learning management system to develop and distribute content is a great way to help new and existing employees to become more adept at representing your company.

Use a learning management system (LMS) to create course assignments, tests, and activities to pique trainees’ interest. Additionally, LMS online courses are often flexible to learners’ busy schedules. 

LMS providers like Coggno offer a range of user-friendly tools. Trainees can watch videos, simulations and screen recordings. They can complete comprehensive tests and assessments interacting with a simple interface. The variety of ways an LMS can be used to create course content is only limited by the imagination of the training team or individual departments who create it. Podcasts, videos, and interactive quizzes bring training to life and provide a trainee with a convenient and structured learning environment. And using an LMS like Coggno, it’s easy to update and distribute learning content only as needed.

Online training is a great way to facilitate interaction and cooperation between new employees. Using Web 2.0 tools like discussion forums, blogs, and wikis, students can interact with each other and develop a sense of group dynamic and community, which is often key to trainee success. Not to mention the benefits peer interaction offers during training, including a sense of team unity in the workplace and increased employee morale.

In addition, online training is a great way to aid supervisors or other superiors with the new employees. After all, this is an area in which these dull and dry training programs are often lacking: engagement between higher-ups and employees. 

As a supervisor, why not make a personal appearance in your own course? Provide demos, training CDs, and visual tutorials to employees. Rather than relying on stock simulations or outdated company demos, course creators can create, edit and apply videos to their online training course. Many LMSs allow developers to transform their course content into a richer, more dynamic experience for trainees, and give their course a more professional touch. Creators maintain total control over what students view. 

With a little planning and user-friendly LMS tools, course developers can create a dynamic and unforgettable training experience for new employees. After trainees learn from interactive content, they can be asked to check their knowledge with a quiz. At the end of the training day, they can meet with the supervisor or trainer to touch base and get an overview of what was learned, completing the circle and providing a personalized and effective system of learning checks and balances. 

This is the ideal way to introduce your new employees to your company–by helping them get excited about their new job, well  trained for their new job, and familiar with each other and their superiors. Using a learning management system helps get your employees off to a great start in your company.

January 18th, 2010 by Learning Systems

If you need a productive and efficient employee, you can consider online training to overcome the performance gap. As a company one of the greatest assets is a valuable employee. When a company hires an employee they are making an investment in their future. Employee retention is extremely important because every time the company has to start from scratch training a new employee it costs more money to them. Therefore, it is more cost effective to the company in the long run to ensure the employee is happy in their job. Part of this entails paying a fair wage and benefits for the position but another responsibility of an employer is to ensure proper training.

Why Train Employees?
Online training can help facilitate your organizational training needs. Employee training includes ensuring the employee is qualified and trained in the position for which they were hired. However, it goes even further than that. If the company wants to ensure employee retention they have to provide a stable future to the employee. An employee wants to be challenged in their area of expertise and they also want to know that there is room for advancement. If they can not advance both professionally and financially internally with the company, the employee will start looking elsewhere. In addition, it simply makes sense to ensure the employee has all the available tools needed to work efficiently and effectively. The more knowledge the employee has, the better they will be at their job.

What can Online Training Offer?
Online training allows employers to offer employees tools to advance themselves within their career and personally. Internal online training can mean training materials and course work geared toward a specific position. New hires can take online training courses to learn how to do their job and test on policies and procedures. Existing employees can begin taking job specific courses that will ready them for their next steps within the organization. For example, if an employee wants to move to another department, that employee can begin taking coursework to become familiar with the operational procedures within that department.

Additionally, online training can provide personal improvement possibilities. This can help the employee do their existing job better as well as prepare them for more advanced positions within the company. For example, an employer may have available computer courses. This will allow the employee to add skills to their resume. A savvy employee will look first at their existing position to see how they can apply their new found knowledge to improve their work. This will result in getting noticed my management and their proactive stance in their position will give them an advantage on the competition when it is time for internal advancement.

Advantages to Online Training
Many companies are moving toward online training as opposed to sending employees to traditional brick and mortar learning institutions. The two primary reasons for this are cost and convenience. First, online courses typically cost less so the company can provide more training at the lower cost. Next, the employee has the advantage of being able to work from the office or home as is convenient. In the office they will be available for questions or in case of emergency. But, they also have the option of taking continuing education classes in the convenience of their own home when they have free time to do so.

January 14th, 2010 by Learning Systems

Why would you consider using online training to train employees? Training your employees is an essential part of ensuring your employees know your expectations and policies along with how to implement them.  The more educated the employee is, the more valuable they will be to your organization.  Also, the better your employee retention will be when you have the ability to allow for internal promotions.  Because of this, many companies offer online training and education opportunities to enhance the skill set of their employees. When classroom training is scheduled, in most cases it affects the productivity of employees. Online employee training, though, is a way to combat this.

How Online Training can Help Employees
Establishing online training can help enhance the skill set of your employees making them more valuable assets to the company.  They have the ability to excel within their job as well as get exposure to other aspects of the company in which they may want to contribute.  It gives them an opportunity to learn about other departments and to gain experience with necessary skills that will make them eligible for future lateral moves or promotions.  This gives employees a sense of stability.  They will be sure they have a future within the company so they will remain focused and challenged in the work place and they have the opportunity to advance internally.

Online Training Helps Optimize the Employee’s Time
One of the significant advantages to online training is the versatility allowed when using it.  If the employee has to go to a class outside the office for training, that employee is unavailable for significant amounts of time that can cause issues with daily operations.  However, if the employee is utilizing work time to accomplish their training they will be available in case of emergency.  The employee can take a break and check voice mail or email which will maintain the continuity of productivity.

In addition, the option is there for the employee to take advantage of continuing education in order to better themselves on their own time.  They can take online training at home in the evening or on weekends or even during break times that will enable them to possible advance within the organization.  Giving them options for additional educational opportunities that are not mandatory will allow the employee to be proactive in advancing their own career and skill set.

Reference Material Available Online
Retention of knowledge in a classroom setting is sometimes difficult.  Many lessons are compressed and designed to get the most material exposed to the student in as little time as possible.  While online training is also set up similarly, the advantage to online training is that the material is still available after the class.  You can refer back to information when you need to in order to put it into action or to refresh the material if it is not used immediately.

More and more companies are moving to online training for their employees.  Often this is a more economical solution from a strictly per class basis.  However, there are more benefits to using e-learning as it optimizes the employee’s training.  An employee can learn and retain information in a more productive manner.  They can be available in the work place for issues that may arise during the course of business.  They can train during optimal times to make the best of their time management.  With online training the employee can use the available tools to better themselves so they will be a greater asset to the company and to enhance their own career goals.

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January 13th, 2010 by Learning Systems

For many reasons, a learning management system course may be your ticket to success this year. For starters, you may be one of the thousands of Americans either worried about your job security or still seeking a full-time position. If the former is your case, you may be taking steps to strengthen your position in your current job.

To increase your value as an employee and ensure job security, pursuing online training to gain fresh and relevant skills is an effective strategy. However, there are other subtle ways to communicate your value as an employee to your superiors. 

Find ways to remind your supervisor of your contributions to your company. What are you doing in 2010 and/or did you do in 2009 for the company’s long-term benefit? Remember–anyone is expendable. Give your boss more than one reason to believe that losing you would be detrimental to the betterment of the company. 

Put yourself in the center of the company’s business activities; now is not a good time to be on the sidelines. Take a look at your strongest skills or areas in which you have considered developing professionally. Then, resolve to use some of your spare time to improve on those skills and apply them to your daily workflow. Look into online training courses either offered by your business, or on your own via a learning management system or other medium. Shadow a colleague. Go the extra mile; come in early; stay later; be more productive during the work day. 

Most importantly, be willing to learn the skills required to fill whatever need you see in the organization. Be the one who steps up to the plate and takes initiative. Now is your time to work on your image at work and create a better reputation for yourself. Show off your work ethic and get serious, giving the impression of being efficient and productive. 

Part of getting serious is changing negative behaviors that have become habits. One all too common habit in the office is complaining. Check yourself on this habit and adopt a more positive outlook. Make a coin jar that you have to drop a dollar into each time you catch yourself complaining at work. If gossiping is another of your bad habits, include this in your habit-breaking resolution. 

Now is the time to become the kind of highly skilled professional you are capable of becoming. When considering taking online training or learn new skills, look at the numbers from December and consider yourself lucky to have a job in the first place. Last Friday the Labor Department reported that the U.S. lost 85,000 jobs from the economy in December. And most economists safely assume that the unemployment rate, which was steady at 10 percent throughout December, will probably only worsen in the following months. 

However, perhaps you fall under the second category mentioned in the first paragraph–the unemployed or underemployed. The underemployment rate, which counts people who have given up seeking employment or people working part time for lack of full-time positions, is at 17.3 percent, nearly double the unemployment rate. 

You may be one of those people who were considering a job change or a career shift, but were caught by the recession in a position you weren’t happy with. Now is not the time to sit on your hands and regret not having acted sooner. Online learning is a great option for a fast and cost-effective way to learn new skills and prepare yourself for a change in career. Pick up applicable job skills by taking a course in conflict management, customer service, diversity, or communication. Learn how to coach, start your own business, or perfect your English.

The self-paced nature of many online training programs and learning management system courses allows you to keep your present job while working towards placing yourself in a position to land a better fitting job in the future.