Investment in learning technologies increases business agility

15 Nov 2011

by: Margaret Snell

Organisations are increasing their investment in learning technologies to help them respond faster to changing business conditions and to build talent.

According to the eighth benchmark study from Towards Maturity, 77% of the 600 organisations that took part believe that learning technologies will help them respond faster to changing business conditions, an increase of 11% from 2010.

The study – which was previewed in the November issue of e.learning age– found that learning technologies are helping organisations reduce proven competency time by 35%, roll-out new IT systems faster by 33% and improve product and processes changes by 33%.

With 64% of participants expected to allocate a greater proportion of their overall training budget to learning technologies in the next two years, the research revealed how L&D professionals are looking at a variety of learning technology platforms to increase access to learning (89%), increase flexibility (85%), improve quality of learning (84%), reduce training costs (83%) and extend the reach of training (82%).

Craig McCoy, HR director, Bupa Health and Wellbeing, who participated in the study said: "It is time to move learning technologies up the value curve. If HR is looking to establish a credible relationship with the business, we can't afford to ignore the tangible business benefits illustrated by this report. Investment in innovative learning approaches facilitates business agility and can support business generation, improve customer service and increase organisational efficiency."

While the majority of organisations are using learning technologies, not all use them to their full potential, and 60% of managers are not giving employees' time to learn.

Laura Overton, managing director of Towards Maturity, said: "Our research study has highlighted those organisations that are mature users of learning technologies are twice as likely to be more agile, efficient and have significantly better talent management processes."

The full report can be downloaded for free on the website. www.towardsmaturity.org

 

 

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