If eLearning wasn’t featured in most organisations’ L&D strategies before the pandemic, it certainly is now. But what does it actually bring to the table? Beyond the convenience of online learning, eLearning delivers tangible benefits, from cost savings to improved employee performance. In this blog, we’ll explore some real-life examples of how large organisations have reaped the rewards of eLearning, making the case for why it’s a smart investment for businesses of all sizes.

1. Cost Savings: A Real-Life Example from IBM

Let’s start with a classic: IBM. This tech giant made a significant shift from traditional face-to-face training to eLearning several years ago, and the results have been staggering. IBM reported saving approximately $200 million annually through its eLearning programs. This isn’t just about cutting travel expenses or reducing the need for physical training facilities. The real savings come from minimising time away from work. With eLearning, employees can learn on the job without having to leave the office for days at a time.

IBM’s approach focused on creating engaging, bite-sized learning modules that employees could complete at their own pace. This flexibility meant employees could integrate learning into their daily routines, drastically reducing downtime and boosting productivity. The result? A whopping 40% increase in productivity across the organisation.

2. Faster Learning and Skill Retention: Ernst & Young's Transformation

When Ernst & Young (EY) decided to switch to eLearning, they weren’t just looking for cost savings—they wanted to make learning more effective. EY replaced nearly 2 million hours of classroom training with online courses, resulting in a 35% reduction in training time. Yet, the shorter time didn’t mean cutting corners. On the contrary, EY found that eLearning actually improved skill retention among employees.

How did they do it? EY focused on microlearning—short, targeted lessons that employees could absorb quickly and apply immediately. By breaking down complex subjects into manageable chunks and reinforcing them through interactive content, EY ensured that learners retained more information over time. The move to eLearning also enabled EY to scale their training globally, ensuring consistent quality across all their offices.

3. Enhanced Compliance and Consistency: McDonald’s Gets It Right

McDonald’s serves millions of customers every day at more than 38,000 locations in over 100 countries, which means consistency is key. Training employees to deliver the same high standards across so many locations is no small feat. That’s where eLearning comes in.

McDonald’s introduced an eLearning program called “Hamburger University” to provide standardised training to its employees worldwide. This program offers a wide range of courses, from customer service to food safety, all accessible online. The result? A significant improvement in compliance with food safety regulations and a more consistent customer experience across their global locations.

By using eLearning, McDonald’s could ensure that every employee received the same training, regardless of their location. This has not only helped in maintaining brand consistency but also reduced training costs by eliminating the need for in-person training sessions. Furthermore, the online courses have allowed McDonald’s to rapidly update their training content to reflect new policies or procedures, ensuring that all employees are always up to date.

4. Greater Accessibility and Inclusivity: A Success Story from PwC

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) saw a different kind of benefit from eLearning: greater accessibility and inclusivity. As a global firm with a diverse workforce, PwC needed a training solution that was accessible to all employees, regardless of location, ability, or work schedule.

By implementing a robust eLearning platform, PwC made training available 24/7, enabling employees to learn at their own pace and on their own terms. This flexibility proved especially valuable for working parents, employees with disabilities, and those in different time zones. The eLearning solution also included features like closed captioning and screen reader compatibility, ensuring that everyone, including those with visual or hearing impairments, could access the training materials.

The outcome? Increased engagement and satisfaction among employees, with PwC reporting a 20% increase in course completion rates compared to their previous classroom-based training. Employees felt more empowered and included, knowing they could access learning resources whenever they needed them.

5. Rapid Upskilling and Scalability: Amazon’s Warehouse Workforce

Amazon is famous for its massive, tech-driven warehouses that operate 24/7 to keep up with customer demand. When the pandemic hit, Amazon needed to quickly upskill its warehouse workers on new health and safety protocols. Traditional classroom training was out of the question due to social distancing, so they turned to eLearning.

Amazon created quick, interactive eLearning modules that workers could access via their mobile devices. This allowed the company to roll out training to thousands of employees simultaneously, ensuring everyone was on the same page, fast. Within weeks, Amazon had trained its entire warehouse workforce on new procedures, keeping operations running smoothly and safely.

The result? A significant reduction in workplace incidents and an agile workforce ready to adapt to new challenges. Moreover, the eLearning modules remain a valuable resource for ongoing training and compliance, saving Amazon both time and money.

What Are the Benefits of eLearning?

So, what do these examples tell us? Here are some of the key benefits of eLearning:

Cost Efficiency: eLearning eliminates travel, accommodation, and instructor fees. It also reduces time away from work, leading to significant cost savings.

Flexibility and Convenience: Learners can access courses anytime, anywhere, allowing them to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule.

Faster and More Effective Learning: eLearning can deliver content in engaging, digestible formats, improving retention and reducing time spent on training.

Scalability: eLearning allows organisations to scale training programs across multiple locations and languages quickly and efficiently.

Improved Compliance and Consistency: Standardised content ensures that all employees receive the same information, improving compliance and maintaining brand standards.

Increased Accessibility and Inclusivity: eLearning platforms offer a range of features to support learners with different needs, making training accessible to everyone.

Why Make the Shift to eLearning?

These case studies demonstrate that eLearning isn’t just a trend; it’s a proven solution for overcoming the challenges of traditional face-to-face learning. Whether you’re looking to save money, improve engagement, or ensure consistency, eLearning offers a versatile, scalable approach to corporate training.

At Popcorn Learning Agency, we specialise in creating custom eLearning content that delivers measurable results. We understand the unique challenges faced by large organisations and design courses that not only engage learners but also drive performance.

Ready to see how eLearning could transform your organisation? Find out how Popcorn can support you by contacting us today!