We’ve all been there. The yearly reminder is passed around to each employee, requiring a sign-up and stating “Mandatory Training to be held this Wednesday.”  Audible sighs are heard as word is spread. Visions appear of an out of town, specifically hired expert lecturing in monotone while the employee/victim sits fighting yawns.

We can all agree that it is necessary, even wise, for companies to keep employees well-versed in orientation and company policy. Many eyebrows would rise at the amount of money and time some companies set aside for the training and education of its employees. The cost of the trainer, travel, paperwork, meals, and time lost that could have been productive for the company is all to be considered. Many larger companies found the magic of E-learning to solve these issues. Hope emerges for the small company employee, as E-learning reaches their grasp.

What is e-Learning? From any computer with access to the internet, at the employees’ convenience, E-learning brings the lessons in interactive, interesting and productive ways. Not only does it save time, money and the employee’s sanity, but it is also better for the environment. Less travel and paperwork mean a smaller carbon footprint.

Using tools such as Flash, video, and Power Point, the employee is guided and kept involved in the learning process, followed by a quiz, which stores the employees score and records the employee participating in the training. A survey can even be included to get feedback on the training.

As more companies move towards E-learning, mandatory training, orientation, surveys and even online guides are easily accessible. No matter where the employee lives, if they are on a business trip, or unable to travel due to weather conditions, all they need is internet access. Who knows; we may even look forward to it… one day.