eLearning came to stay

In the United Status, 33 out of 100 training hours at companies are based on this technological methodology

Rafael Cordero Sibaja
Director Comercial, Aura Interactiva
Sección Opinión
Estrategia y Negocios

We have often heard about the importance of knowledge as a success factor for organizations.

Even though almost every company is aware of this, only some know how to effectively manage and disseminate knowledge, and even more important, how to transform it into better operating results.

Organizations that have used knowledge to improve their results are aware that knowledge should have a wider scope besides informing employees and should go from abstract concepts and ideas to specific and tangible experiences that generate results and improve productivity.

Therefore, either through this knowledge-based economy or the new learning revolution, eLearning is a reality in modern companies, either small or large.

eLearning is a learning tool that conveys certain knowledge through communication and information technologies (CITs). It allows students to learn more effectively, at their own pace, and with no limit as to schedule or geographical area.

In his book Reimagine!, Tom Peters shows how IBM has changed most of its classroom training to computer-based training. As a result, the company has saved about US$250 million a year. But even more important than employees trained with this approach, the company has achieved a better customer satisfaction.

A study based on global mass-consumption companies and governmental agencies that have implemented e-Learning in Latin America showed that among the most evident benefits, this tool allows a fast response to change, thanks to the dissemination of organizational practices and concepts on a timely basis.

Furthermore, it gives the opportunity to develop skills that are essential for business operations and for reducing training costs.

Growing acceptance

In the face of all these benefits, it is not difficult to understand why more and more firms are embracing eLearning as part of their business strategy.

According to Bersin & Associates, in a research conducted in2005 inthe United States, out of 100 training hours, 33 hours are based on eLearning. This clearly shows an increasing trend in the use of this tool since in 1999; previously it was just eight out of 100 hours.

But to break organizational paradigms, an eLearning initiative cannot remain in the human resources or training department. This decision should be aligned and integrated into the development of skills for the sake of business and totally supported by the top management.

Otherwise, it will not become a new successful training approach.

In the last two years, there has been a significant transformation where organizations no longer see eLearning solely as an innovative technology, but rather use it as a tool to improve operating performance.

Latin America is using this initiative to substitute traditional training processes and improve the dissemination of critical skills and knowledge while achieving economic and logistics benefits.

Based on these results, it is reasonable to foresee that the implementation of eLearning will follow the example of developed markets. In view of this, it is suitable to determine if your firm is ready for a paradigm change.