A Guide to Hidden Gems
Choosing the right eLearning partner is important—it can have a huge impact on the success of your organization’s online training programs. There are many tips and tricks for choosing the right partner for your eLearning needs. In our 30 years in the industry, we’ve learned why customers want support outside of their organizations and what to consider for each need.
Organizations partner with eLearning vendors for three main reasons: to grow their teams, to gain new state-of-the-art knowledge, or to access operational expertise. This article will examine each need and equip you with strategies to find the perfect broker to achieve your goals.
Group Addition
If your organization is facing resource constraints, engaging with an eLearning vendor becomes a strategic necessity. However, the selection process is often short, making it necessary to identify potential red flags early, as problems can compound over time.
Experience with Employees
The success of your project depends largely on the maturity of the vendor team. Check if they have the capacity and expertise to manage your upcoming projects without bringing in new hires, which may impact deadlines and quality. Will they need to hire new employees or contractors for your project? How experienced is the team you will be working with? An experienced team is more likely to deliver consistent, high-quality results.
Working together
Success depends on good cooperation with the seller. Ask about their internal and external processes. Can they join your communication tools? Will they integrate with your project management software? Regular meetings, once or twice a week, are important, often faster and less frequent as the project progresses.
Timing and Project Management
The success of your project depends on skilled project managers (PMs) who can organize complex tasks into achievable, timely goals and communicate regularly and clearly. Test their experience by asking how long they have been in the industry. Ask what the average PM is. Ask how they plan complex projects, use tools, and break down desired outcomes into achievable tasks with deadlines. You can ask for unquoted timelines for past projects and any references from current or previous clients to confirm their track record of on-time delivery. Were deadlines respected?
Communication
Effective communication is the backbone of any successful partnership. During your negotiations, pay close attention to how well the seller understands your needs. If they are more focused on selling themselves than understanding you, consider it a sign that they may not be committed to your success.
Leading or Taking the Way
Check if the vendor can support you in the way you need. Can they give you examples to take a direction and make their point of view? How did they manage the work alone? Your bandwidth may be limited, so you may want to trust your partner to lead effectively.
Creative Ideas
The creative potential of an eLearning provider is best judged by examining their past projects. When reviewing their work, consider the following key factors:
In-The-Moment Ideation
An innovative partner does not wait to contribute; involve their artistic leadership at the beginning of the discussions. This active collaboration allows them to provide smart strategies for categorizing and organizing your goals, improving the learning experience. They bring out-of-the-box ideas to the table that can make your project stand out from the competition.
Marriage
Collaboration is essential to collaboration, which helps retain knowledge. Your eLearning partner should demonstrate ways to incorporate interactive and gamified elements. Evaluate how they incorporate interactive learning, role-playing, and situation-based learning into their projects to engage students. Did their work samples grab your attention, make you want to know more, or encourage you to share what you learned? Do they include new methods based on learning best scientific methods? If so, that’s a very good signal.
User Experience
A high-quality user interface, intuitive navigation, and reliable features are non-negotiable in delivering a great student experience. These elements ensure that students can fully concentrate on the subject without unnecessary distractions. Take a close look at the vendor’s past projects to assess the clarity and usability of their designs. If you find their communication confusing or difficult, that’s a strong indication that your students will too.
Custom Vs. Templates
While many providers rely on templates to organize their work to support project efficiency, this approach can reduce the quality of the student experience. Determine the level of variation you desire in your course. Ask if they use templates. If so, how does it affect the design? Will your course feel unique enough? If you’re aiming for a more engaging and personalized experience, prioritize vendors that can provide fully thought-out solutions.
Technology
Expertise in both the art and science aspects of learning sets specialty eLearning vendors apart. They create immersive experiences while using advanced technology to tailor content to each audience. Here are the key technical aspects that good marketers must master in order to deliver impactful learning solutions:
Advanced Planning Skills
To improve your learning experience, consider interviewing your salesperson’s expertise in programming. Can they use authentication tools at a really high level? Do they use complex HTML programs or 3D engines? Ask to see examples of projects that required a sophisticated level of planning and led to an impressive result. Ask them what tools they use and why.
Graphic design
When evaluating a creative solution, it’s important to make sure it aligns with your brand identity, is compelling, and feels present and relevant. Check out the provider’s sizzle reel on their website. Do they offer a range of projects, such as 2D and 3D art and photography, to give you flexibility in your content? These can be important indicators of their ability to create high-quality images that connect with your audience.
Video Production
The best videos don’t just inform—they tell emotional stories and reflect real-life situations. Evaluate past work: How do they use writing, acting, and music to engage the audience? Compelling videos go beyond talking heads, incorporating text overlays, strategic editing, and high-quality audio for an immersive experience. Anticipating the needs of readers and creating tangible content, paired with clear text and stunning visuals, make high-quality videos memorable.
Cartoons
Short form video or animation learning is a game changer, providing quick and impactful learning sessions. Unlike video, animation reduces the risk of relying on specific personnel and is more cost-effective by avoiding travel, props, and sets. You can ask about your partner’s ability to tailor animations to your brand’s unique needs.
Conclusion: Choose the Right eLearning Partner
By carefully evaluating potential partners, you can see how they can grow your team. They should bring new creative ideas and provide special technical skills. This helps create a solid foundation for a successful partnership that enhances your eLearning programs.
Prioritize vendors who excel in effective communication and seamless collaboration to ensure compliance with your goals. Test their creative skills by reviewing past projects for an engaging, customized experience.
Technical efficiency is equally important. Choose a vendor who can simplify complex concepts, conduct thorough needs assessments, and introduce new words effectively. Taking the time to find a good partner will improve student engagement. This will help you meet your development goals and provide a better Return On Investment.
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