Blended Learning is the number one training method for companies. But which content is truly 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 many ways: In principle, you can use this learning concept in almost all industries and business sectors where theoretical knowledge and practical application are equally important. This results in several topics that are particularly well suited for training with Blended Learning.
Practically proven Blended Learning topics
The following three topics for Blended Learning come directly from practice: For years, we have been supporting many medium-sized and large companies with the blink.it learning platform. Time and again, we encounter especially these three topics for Blended Learning:
Onboarding
Sales
Soft Skill Training
At first glance, these three topics may not seem to have much in common. However, a closer look reveals why they are particularly well suited for Blended Learning: Both in the onboarding of new employees, as well as in customer contact and the development of personal skills, theoretical foundations and practical applications must work perfectly together.
Therefore, for all three topics, both e-learning and pure face-to-face seminars are usually not effective: In e-learning, the transfer to practice is often neglected. In pure face-to-face seminars, on the other hand, the large theoretical component often guarantees 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 used, for example, at SNIPES, one of the leading streetwear companies in Europe, and also in our blink.it team.
This area of application may seem unusual to you: Onboarding is not part of the classic field of “training.” Usually, the onboarding takes place “on the side” directly at the workplace. An experienced employee or a manager is typically responsible as a contact person.
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 respective work area
Supporting instructions for the start at the new workplace
Onboarding: Content for Face-to-Face Sessions
Thematic sessions with an experienced employee or supervisor
Clarification of questions, problems, and challenges
Joint exercises on the fundamentals from the online course
Free guide
Blended Onboarding for Companies
Bring new employees up to speed with a mix of personal meetings + online course! You will learn exactly how this works and how you can create your first "Blended Onboarding" in 3 weeks in our new guide.
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 take place. This makes onboarding an increasingly popular topic for Blended Learning.
2. Why Sales as Blended Learning?
In sales, not only SNIPES relies on Blended Learning, but also automotive giant DAIMLER, and more and more academies of the SPARKASSE.
Whether in retail, banking, or insurance: In all these areas, direct customer contact is at the center of attention. For this process to run smoothly and uniformly across the company, both theoretical basic knowledge and practical guidance are needed.
Sales: Content for the Online Course
Organizational information for face-to-face training
Theoretical foundations such as sales concepts, company-specific processes, and guidelines
Introduction to the use of specialized software
Sales: Content for Face-to-Face Sessions
Practical application of sales concepts using real examples
Interactive exercises that take the customer perspective into account
Exercises with a coach directly on the sales floor (especially in retail)
Sales as Blended Learning: Sales and consulting are increasingly being digitized today – for customers and employees alike.
By observing role plays or real sales and consulting conversations, trainers or supervisors can provide targeted feedback. This helps create 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 Sparkassen Academy NOSA has long been using Blended Learning specifically for soft skill training.
Soft skills are important not only for executives and management: Personal skills such as teamwork and time management support your company at all levels. Moreover, the fundamental changes in behavior need to be practically consolidated.
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 proper implementation at the workplace
Soft Skills: Content for Face-to-Face 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 happen 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 particularly achieve sustainable results with long-term online follow-up.
Reading tip: Which soft skills are really important for companies in 2019?
Using the examples of onboarding, sales, and soft skills, you can recognize 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 professional guidance facilitates practical implementation.
All mentioned companies use the blink.it learning platform for the implementation of 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 “Personal Productivity and Time Intelligence” now!
