How to establish a successful eLearning program within your organization.

You may want to consider these keys when making a training decision, and when planning to implement the program. Feel free to cut and paste these ideas into a planning document for rolling out an organization-wide training program. These steps help your organization develop a culture favorable to eLearning, and improve the return on your training investment.

1) Get executive management involvement. Involve all executives in the training process. Stress the importance of training to their staff. Incorporate training into objectives. Invite participation by taking courses, and involve students by recognizing achievement and presenting awards to those who complete certain courses of study. Remember, the attitude and commitment upper management demonstrates toward the eLearning program will strongly influence the entire organization. A poor attitude or commitment will result in a poor program.

2) Relate training to goals, establish requirements for employees, and hold them accountable to a personalized training plan. To make eLearning work within your organization, relate training to the goals of the organization, project goals, and employee career goals. Work with each employee to formulate a personal development program incorporating the courses. Track employee progress in meeting training objectives.

3) Promotion. Create ads for the courses on the bulletin board, in your newsletter, or even on company memos. Create brochures and course lists so employees know what is available to them. Host an open house or seminar to launch the training. Offer refreshments and prizes while demonstrating how to access and use the new eLearning courses. Provide incentives to try out the new program. Have an executive speak at the open house to emphasize the importance of the training initiative.

4) Recognition. Recognize employees for eLearning accomplishments with a certificate, rotating trophy, or training contest incentives ( perhaps gift certificates or prizes for the first person or group to successfully complete the eLearning program). Relate the success stories in the company newsletter or at staff meetings.

5) Establish a Training Helpline. If possible, have one contact within your organization serve as a Help-line to answer questions about courses, register participants, and give advice as employees implement new knowledge and skills.

The most important thing to remember ? Training is an ongoing process in a learning organization, not a one-time event. These steps must be implemented continually to create a successful ongoing eLearning program.