Blended Learning is the number one professional development method for companies. But which content is really suitable for the offline-online combination? We show which topics and areas of application work best for Blended Learning in practice:
Blended Learning can be used in various ways: In principle, you can utilize this learning concept in almost all industries and areas of a company where theoretical knowledge and practical application are equally important. This gives rise to several topics that are particularly well-suited for further education with Blended Learning.
Proven Blended Learning Topics
The following three topics for Blended Learning come directly from practice: We have been supporting many medium-sized and large companies with the blink.it learning platform for years. In doing so, we repeatedly encounter primarily these three topics for Blended Learning:
Onboarding
Sales
Soft Skill Training
At first glance, these three topics may not have much in common. However, on closer inspection, it becomes clear why they are particularly well-suited for Blended Learning: Both in the onboarding of new employees and in customer contact and the development of personal skills, theoretical foundations and practical application must perfectly interlock.
Therefore, for all three topics, both e-learning and pure in-person seminars are often not effective: In e-learning, the transfer to practice falls by the wayside. In pure in-person seminars, on the other hand, the high proportion of theory is often a guarantee for bored, unmotivated participants.
Let's take a look at the three topics – and how they work as Blended Learning:
1. Why Onboarding as Blended Learning?
“Blended Onboarding” is employed, for example, at SNIPES, one of the leading streetwear companies in Europe, and also at our blink.it team.
This area of application may seem unusual to you: Onboarding does not fall into the classic area of “professional development.” Usually, the onboarding happens “on the side” directly at the workplace. An experienced employee or a supervisor is typically responsible as a point of contact.
However, Blended Learning can simplify this process for the caregiver, the new employee, and your company alike.
Onboarding: Content for the Online Course
Processes and regulations relevant to all new employees
Theoretical foundations for the specific area of work
Supporting instructions for starting at the new workplace
Onboarding: Content for In-Person Sessions
Thematic sessions with an experienced employee or supervisor
Clarification of questions, issues, and challenges
Joint exercises on the fundamentals from the online course
This combination of online course and personal support guarantees you a consistent quality of onboarding for all employees. In addition, “Blended Onboarding” provides a uniform knowledge base upon which further training can be built. This makes onboarding an increasingly popular topic for Blended Learning.
2. Why Sales as Blended Learning?
In sales, not only is SNIPES using Blended Learning, but also automotive giant DAIMLER, and more and more academies of SPARKASSE.
Whether in retail, banking, or insurance: In all these areas, direct customer contact is at the center. To ensure that this runs smoothly and uniformly across the company, both theoretical basic knowledge and practical guidance are required.
Sales: Content for the Online Course
Organizational information for in-person training
Theoretical foundations such as sales concepts, company-specific processes, and guidelines
Introduction to using specific software
Sales: Content for In-Person Sessions
Practical application of sales concepts with real examples
Interactive exercises, also taking the customer's perspective
Exercises with a coach directly on the sales floor (especially in retail)
Sales as Blended Learning: Sales and consulting are becoming increasingly digitalized today – for the customers and for the employees.
By observing role plays or real sales and consulting conversations, trainers or supervisors can provide targeted feedback. This helps to build a unified mindset – and additionally trains the employee individually. That is why many companies choose these topics for Blended Learning.
3. Why Soft Skill Training as Blended Learning?
The Northeast German Savings Bank Academy NOSA has long been using Blended Learning specifically for soft skill training.
Soft skills are important not only for executives and the management level: Personal skills such as teamwork and time management support your company at all levels. It is also necessary to practically solidify the fundamental behavioral changes.
Soft Skills: Content for the Online Course
Assessment of the current state in self-assessment forms
Concepts and methods, for example for more creativity or project and time management
Regular small impulses for the correct implementation at the workplace
Soft Skills: Content for In-Person Sessions
Practical exercises under the guidance of an experienced trainer
Group exercises and discussions with colleagues
Direct feedback and suggestions for self-reflection
Behavioral changes do not occur after just a few days in a seminar room: It often takes several weeks. This makes soft skill training a topic for Blended Learning, where you can achieve sustainable results, especially with long-term online follow-up.
Reading Tip: Which soft skills are truly important for companies in 2019?
Using the example of onboarding, sales, and soft skills, you can see for yourself which topics are perfectly suited for Blended Learning in companies:
Topics that require a uniform knowledge base.
Topics that allow employees individual freedom.
Topics where a professional guidance makes implementation in practice easier.
All the mentioned companies utilize the blink.it learning platform for implementing their Blended Learning concepts. Would you like to experience how such training works from the participant's perspective? Then join our free soft skill training on "Personal Productivity and Time Intelligence" now!
