Many years ago, I worked with a guy who was in great physical shape and was obviously a fitness buff.
Since I also wanted to get back into shape, I asked him which piece of gym equipment he felt was the very best for quickly making the fastest gains.
He leaned in and whispered (as if it was a trade secret) "Okay...
I'll tell you the single, best piece of equipment.
This one machine is far superior to any other machine you'll find in the gym.
Far and away, the single best machine is ...
the one you're actually going to use.
" And then he walked away.
A simple answer but one that I never forgot.
Do you know someone who bought the "best" among a field of products or services, but it wasn't really the best one suited for them? Do you know this person intimately? Was this perhaps you? You're not alone.
When it comes to choosing an e-learning solution, there are over 160 vendors in that vast sea of LMS/LCMS platforms.
How are you going to distinguish one from another? You'd be surprised how many solutions buyers make their choice by mass mailing requests for RFPs and then comparing features side-by-side with vendors' solutions in order to find the best value for the money.
This is a bad way to purchase an e-learning solution for your organization.
Here's a better way: Assemble an internal team of colleagues who will act as the evaluation committee for your project.
As the key stakeholders, make sure they represent all relevant departments within your organization.
Based upon discussions among these evaluators, you can assemble an internal needs assessment that represent the foundational requirements for training and education within your organization.
It is imperative that you fully understand the internal needs and requirements of your company before you even begin your search for the "perfect" e-learning platform.
(By the way, there is no such thing as the "perfect" e-learning platform but with proper diligence, you can get close).
If you've properly done your homework, you should be able to significantly reduce the field of potential vendors before sending out your first RFP.
Since I also wanted to get back into shape, I asked him which piece of gym equipment he felt was the very best for quickly making the fastest gains.
He leaned in and whispered (as if it was a trade secret) "Okay...
I'll tell you the single, best piece of equipment.
This one machine is far superior to any other machine you'll find in the gym.
Far and away, the single best machine is ...
the one you're actually going to use.
" And then he walked away.
A simple answer but one that I never forgot.
Do you know someone who bought the "best" among a field of products or services, but it wasn't really the best one suited for them? Do you know this person intimately? Was this perhaps you? You're not alone.
When it comes to choosing an e-learning solution, there are over 160 vendors in that vast sea of LMS/LCMS platforms.
How are you going to distinguish one from another? You'd be surprised how many solutions buyers make their choice by mass mailing requests for RFPs and then comparing features side-by-side with vendors' solutions in order to find the best value for the money.
This is a bad way to purchase an e-learning solution for your organization.
Here's a better way: Assemble an internal team of colleagues who will act as the evaluation committee for your project.
As the key stakeholders, make sure they represent all relevant departments within your organization.
Based upon discussions among these evaluators, you can assemble an internal needs assessment that represent the foundational requirements for training and education within your organization.
It is imperative that you fully understand the internal needs and requirements of your company before you even begin your search for the "perfect" e-learning platform.
(By the way, there is no such thing as the "perfect" e-learning platform but with proper diligence, you can get close).
If you've properly done your homework, you should be able to significantly reduce the field of potential vendors before sending out your first RFP.