Non-Profit Organizations: 7 LMS Benefits To Consider
Are you considering an LMS for your non-profit, but aren’t sure if you can make a successful business case? After all, you’re already working with limited resources, and a new system will require an up-front investment and ongoing maintenance. In actuality, buying a Learning Management System can not only help you retain your top talent but also reduce your current L&D costs. Thanks to flexible pricing plans, virtually every organization can fit an LMS into their budget. Let’s delve into the top 7 LMS benefits for non-profit organizations that might sway your stakeholders and alleviate your doubts.
1. In-House Talent Development
Human Resource development is crucial in any sector. You want to make sure that your employees are not only skilled but also constantly improving. Employing an LMS can help them do just that. You can devise lessons that are targeted specifically for their skill and knowledge gaps. If you need someone to write a grant, for example, you’re able to train an existing team member instead of outsourcing. An LMS gives you the opportunity to develop and deploy custom-tailored online training courses so that every employee can upskill and cross-train. Not to mention, access online training resources that make them more productive in their current position.
2. Reduce Training Expenses
Saving money is important for a non-profit organization. If you reduce costs on things like Learning and Development, it means you have more money to spend on projects. One way you save money is by completely eliminating the need to hire an on-site instructor. That also applies to their travel, printed material, and accommodation expenses. All the online training resources are stored in a centralized location so that every member of the team has remote access. That means they don’t have to travel to a workshop or hundreds of miles away once a year to refresh their knowledge, and your organization doesn’t have to foot the bill for an instructor to come to you.
3. Reduce Training Time
The best part about online training courses specifically designed for your employees is the fact that they are tailor-made for them. The information provided pertains to their job duties, skill sets, and roles. And it’s all delivered in a format that’s easy to digest. Plus, having an LMS that contains all the learning material offers employees greater convenience. They’re able to participate in online training activities whenever it fits into their schedule. Another time-saving perk is the ability to incorporate real-world activities that speed up the knowledge transfer process. For example, a simulation can help employees build their skills and gain valuable experience in a fraction of the time. It also gives them the rare opportunity to learn from their mistakes so that they can identify areas they need to work on.
4. Safe Centralized Storage
Among the top LMS benefits is that an LMS allows you to gather all your online training material in one place, where it can be modified by admins and accessed by employees. There are also data encryption protocols in place to keep sensitive information secure. Some Learning Management Systems are even equipped with more advanced safeguards, such as IP blockers, anti-spam, anti-virus, and restricted registration based on the domain. You can also password-protect certain sections of the LMS so that they’re off-limits to everyone but admins and upper management.
5. Advanced Reporting Capabilities
Most Learning Management Systems also come with a progress tracking system. So, you can keep tabs on your employees and how they are doing in real-time, as well as gauge the effectiveness of your online training strategy. Thus, you’re able to allocate online training resources more efficiently and provide employees with continual support. For example, LMS reports reveal that one member of your staff is struggling with a compliance topic. You can intervene, offer immediate feedback, and create a list of personalized resource recommendations.
6. Generates More Revenue
There are two ways that an LMS can help you increase revenues. The first is that you’re able to train your team more effectively, which equips them with all the knowledge and skills they need to secure more donations. The second profit-boosting benefit is the ability to sell your training resources online. Some Learning Management Systems have eCommerce features that allow you to package your content and sell it to the public or other organizations that need online training resources for their staff members. Thus, you get an extra source of income that enables you to fund other projects and achieve your goals more rapidly.
7. Unifies Your Global Workforce
Many non-profits have employees all over the globe who require online training resources. A Learning Management System makes it easy and cost-effective to deploy localized training materials. For example, systems that support multiple languages automatically translate the online training content based on the user’s location. You can also incorporate collaborative online training tools to facilitate team building, such as group collaboration projects that allow your worldwide workforce to collectively solve organizational challenges or social media groups that give them the power to share tips and experiences. Another great way to unify your team is to create a mentorship program with the help of your LMS.
While employing an LMS may seem like an unnecessary expense initially, it ends up saving money in the long run. There are numerous LMS benefits, like greater convenience and personalized development, as well as reporting capabilities that allow you to measure employee performance and continually improve your online training strategy. This is why many organizations that transition from traditional to online training opt for a Learning Management System.
Did you know that corporate eLearning globalization can improve your company’s bottom line? Are you ready to expand your online training program on a global scale? Read our free eBook Going Global: How To Create Online Training Experiences For A Worldwide Audience to discover the benefits of going global, the costs to consider, how to mitigate online training globalization risks, as well as how corporate eLearning globalization can improve your ROI.
