New research proves that critical business skills can be Web delivered

Citation

(2001), "New research proves that critical business skills can be Web delivered", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 33 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2001.03733cab.005

New research proves that critical business skills can be Web delivered

New research proves that critical business skills can be Web delivered

Keywords: Skills, Learning, Internet

New research indicates that companies are already embracing e-learning as a method of delivering training in critical management, business and professional skills.

The research was undertaken by Taylor Nelson Sofres on behalf of SkillSoft International, a leading e-learning global provider of critical business skills, and Saba, a leading global provider of learning and performance solutions. Respondents were HR directors and senior managers from 200 leading UK organisations across all private and public sectors.

Ninety-four per cent of respondents were aware of e-learning. Of this group, almost half (45 per cent) had already implemented it, with an additional 39.5 per cent planning to implement it by 2002.

The findings showed that respondents have already implemented e-learning in more than 20 critical skills areas, the most regularly cited being customer service (26 per cent), operations (24 per cent), quality management (23 per cent), general management (22 per cent) and leadership (20 per cent). The only area ranked higher than customer service for e-learning implementation was IT (56 per cent).

Of those organisations that have implemented e-learning, each one indicated that they have realised all the benefits they have expected. In fact, almost without exception, organisations gained benefits over and above their original criteria. The top three realised benefits were: cost-efficiency (62 per cent); the ability to take learning to staff regardless of location (49 per cent); and a more effective approach to training (46 per cent).

When asked whether they would use e-learning for specific soft skills training in the future, within every area more than half of the early adopters said yes. In some skills areas, such as operations, general management, IT and quality management, this rose to more than three-quarters.

Kevin Young, Managing Director of SkillSoft International, said:

The results are very encouraging. Not only is e-learning quickly becoming established within organisations, but people are increasingly finding that it is an efficient and cost-effective way to develop critical business skills – the skills that organisations need to prosper and realise sustainable competitive advantage. We were also delighted to find that SkillSoft was recognised by 64 per cent of those interviewed as one of the leading e-learning solution providers in the market, reflecting the investment we have made in Web-based training.

Now that e-learning is proven – having met and in many cases exceeded the expectations of its early adopters – its place within the training strategies of UK organisations is assured.

A free copy of the management summary of the research findings is available from Kay Baldwin-Evans or Emma Smith at SkillSoft International on +44 (0)1483 795202.