Even in a challenging labor market, employees want more than just a job — they want a chance to grow in their careers and expand their skills. Businesses can’t deliver on this expectation without a solid training strategy. On top of this, even a fantastic upskilling and reskilling program could fail if it’s delivered via outdated, desktop-only means.
The right learning management system (LMS) offers talent development opportunities employees can tackle at their own pace. An LMS puts training in the palm of their hands, whether they’re out in the field or working a busy sales floor. Combined with a meaningful workplace learning strategy, an LMS helps:
- boost engagement
- increase retention
- address compliance concerns
- prioritize valuable skills
- prepare organizations for new challenges
How do organizations identify the right learning management system?
A learning strategy should consider the unique needs of your workforce. Similarly, the ideal LMS must be able to address those needs and industry-specific requirements.
Ask your team general questions about the training program to help narrow your search, like:
- Do we equip employees with the knowledge they need to advance their careers?
- Are we training on the right topics to upskill and reskill our teams?
- What trainings are mandatory?
- What optional subjects are still relevant to our people?
- How do we ensure a consistent learning experience?
This step will help form a blueprint of your learning strategy. But you shouldn’t spring right into purchasing an LMS quite yet. Never assume what employees need without determining the best way for them to learn. A tool for surveying employees efficiently and anonymously can help you determine the functionality they actually want.
As a general rule, avoid an LMS that isn’t available on mobile devices. After all, over 85% of employees have a personal phone with an unlimited data plan, according to a 2024 survey conducted by Pollfish and commissioned by Paycom.
Plus, accessible training is key to retention, even for employees who work in multiple locations. A report from LinkedIn Learning found 7 in 10 people say learning improves how connected they feel to their organization.
4 steps for developing a learning strategy
With the right LMS, you’ll have what you need to launch or adjust a learning strategy. If your company has never had an intentional training approach, consider these four phases to get it off the ground:
- Define your skills-based challenges and identify training needs
- Determine your measurements of success
- Establish goals and metrics to monitor progress
- Prepare for launch with regular, transparent communication