How Prepared Are Organizations For Remote Training?

At the risk of providing more “white noise” during the pandemic pandemonium, I wanted to share this data because I think it’s interesting. And, I think it showcases not only how important remote learning is, but also how trends have shaped the industry for this moment in which all of us who are online learning professionals have been contributing. 

Over a two-week period from late March through the first week of April, eLearning Brothers surveyed over 50,000 eLearning designers and developers, asking this question:

How prepared is your organization to support training for a remote workforce during this crisis?

Fifty-four percent of respondents stated they felt very prepared to support remote learners. 

Of those who feel well-prepared, the majority attributed a successful response to COVID-19 isolation requirements to already having an existing remote strategy in place. Many stated that technology played a major role in shifting their training support to a distance-learning strategy, while others touted strong business continuity plans and agile staff as the keys to their success.

Categories from those surveyed who felt very prepared to support remote learners for these reasons.

Over-Communication

Many respondents who stated that an existing remote strategy was a critical key to their success in supporting a remote workforce cited over-communication as an important element. Teams were already collaborating remotely using established processes and tools that promote virtual communication, and with the addition of daily check-ins and frequent pings via IM and chat channels, they have responded quickly to potential challenges. 

One comment was: “COMMUNICATION! Our management team has been great sharing information at each stage and continues to openly communicate. They quickly made sure we had the tools we needed to go live with distance learning options so we could continue to support our employees.”

A surprising number of respondents listed Microsoft Teams as their virtual hub of choice to keep them connected while working remotely. Other collaboration platforms included Zoom, Slack, Skype, Google, GoTo Meeting, WebEx, and some home-grown solutions. 

Technology

Not surprisingly, laptops were listed as a top reason that workers were able to adapt easily to an at-home work environment along with agile IT staff to help transition quickly. Many of those surveyed told stories of people pulling together to ensure mission-critical operations continued without interruption. One person said, “We are one of the largest global firms in our industry. In the US we have managed to take everyone home to work...and in less than a week! It is due to the terrific leadership and dedicated IT staff as well as non-IT staff working as a cohesive unit.”

Business Continuity Plans

Established business continuity plans (BCP) emerged as a primary theme of success as well. One respondent said: “It's an important part of disaster preparation. When resources are placed in various locations the team can continue to work. Handling disaster relief during floods in California showed the wisdom of this. In a situation like this where the disaster is worldwide, those who are already working remotely can pick up the slack while the onsite team members get up and running at home.”  

Unprepared?

On the flip side, forty-six percent of respondents felt their organizations were unprepared to train a remote workforce.

A common theme among those who felt their organizations weren’t ready was a lack of technology and online learning tools in place. As we saw from those who felt prepared, the right technology—and having an implementation plan for it—is essential.

Others were looking for resources to help them adapt in-person training for a digital format and ideas on creating engaging online training for remote workers.

As eLearning professionals, now is our time to shine. After all, we are experts in creating and delivering training online—the perfect solution for remote workers. This is our moment, and it has been so encouraging to see how many organizations out there have been preparing for situations like this for quite some time! For those who weren’t quite as prepared, we in the online learning industry are ready to help you meet this moment.  

Reach out to find out how eLearning Brothers can help you quickly move your training online.