We’ve seen hundreds of platforms, from the smallest to largest companies around the world, and one thing for sure – if your Learning Platform has the best content but has poor user experience, or if your user experience is brilliant but the content is poor, your learning strategy will not succeed.

The phrase “Content is King” is as relevant in the Learning Platform space as it is in TV, radio, CMS, Social Media or any other platform. To illustrate this, we have identified three micro case studies of how content supports success:

Scenario 1

An organisation has a Learning Platform that is primarily being used for compliance and new starter training. You might also have non-mandatory professional development courses. At this stage, you’re most likely to have off-the-shelf courses for the mentioned skills – they are not customised to your branding. The learning platform has somewhat introduced the company’s branding elements, such as logos, colours and font. 

Key thing: A similar amount of effort has been invested in both your content and your Learning Platform. You have foundations to grow.

To be aware of: Having a branded system, but not the content, can have a negative effect on your learners’ motivation. In your learners’ minds, it will appear misaligned. They will most likely be willing to do the training (especially if it’s mandatory) but won’t be excited to come back to it.

Scenario 2

An organisation has a Learning platform that provides learners with a wide catalogue of content that’s been company branded, tailored to their specific needs and introduced to Q&A forums. Your Learning Platform has been customised to fit your specific needs, with external libraries made available to users on-demand access. 

Key thing: Your learner is willing to come back to your training. The custom branded courses and tailored eLearning increases the likelihood of the learners being thoroughly invested in your content.

To be aware of: To fully execute the Learning and Development strategy, you need to integrate the Learning platform into your technology landscape. You’re a Learning Organisation that is ready to cultivate a mature learning culture.

Scenario 3

Learning culture is at the heart of the organisation. Content is tailored to learners’ specific needs, and knowledge sharing and continuous improvement are fully established. Collaborative activities, social learning and the evolving learning strategy is in line with the business strategy. 

Key thing: Relevant content is distributed based on individual talent plans and learners have a sense of belonging – they feel that making a change and learning something new is actually contributing to the company’s growth.

To be aware of: We’d be resistant to say that this is the ultimate goal for all of the organisations. This is not something that everyone can do. It requires a lot of dedicated time, resources and willingness to change, take risks and champion new ways of working learning. If done correctly, it is life-changing.

Final thoughts

Not every organisation needs to reach ‘Scenario 3’. If you don’t reach this scenario, it doesn’t mean that your Learning Strategy isn’t working. Everyone is on their own path. However, the key thing to remember is that the content and technology are both key for your success. Neglect one and you’ll go downhill. Keep them in line, put equal effort into them both and see your organisation thrive.