Is Extended Enterprise Learning For Me

For many organizations, the learning ecosystem extends far beyond their four walls. More companies find it necessary or beneficial to deliver training to external audiences such as customers, channel partners, distributors, value-added resellers and franchisees. The gig economy also makes it critical to provide training and development opportunities for non-employees.

In a collaborative effort with Brandon Hall we surveyed the training community to get a better understanding of the current state of the Extended Enterprise Learning space. Continue reading to gain insight into our findings. Download the Current State of Extended Enterprise Learning knowledge graphic for a full analysis of the market.

Current State of Extended Learning

Training managers tell all!
We asked about audiences, budgets, modalities, objectives, challenges, benefits, effectiveness and more.

Knowledge Graphic

What Is Extended Enterprise Learning

Extended Enterprise is the concept that a company does not operate in isolation because its success is dependent upon a network of partner relationships. Extended enterprise learning focuses on training among individuals within an organization's network of partners. Training is centered around the knowledge and technical skills needed to improve performance in a specific job role.

Extended enterprise learning can serve many needs for an organization. By training resellers, customers and potential customers on their products and services, companies can ensure they get the best, most up-to-date information. Salespeople tend to sell more of a product they know about than one with which they are unfamiliar. Customers rely less on help and support channels when they are well-informed. For this reason many organizations view extended enterprise training as a necessity.

How Does Extended Learning Help Your Organization

Most organizations have different types of audiences that extend outside of the business. Organizations that fail to consider all possible learning audiences may miss critical opportunities to improve customer relationships, increase sales and generate revenue.

We surveyed small organizations (100-999 employees), mid-size organizations (1,000-4,999 employees) and large organizations (5,000+ employees) and asked "how does your extended learning help your business?". These are their combined realized benefits.

Check out our Current State of Extended Enterprise Learning 2020 knowledge graphic to see surveyed responses broken down by organization size.

Challenges to Delivering Extended Enterprise Learning

Delivering training to multiple audiences comes with its fair share of challenges. Take a look at the overall challenges surveyed training managers said they face with delivering extended enterprise learning.

    Lack of right technology

    Lack of insight into external groups

    Difficulty measuring effectiveness

    Cost structures

    Content development

    Managing/securing intellectual property

    Other

Is Extended Enterprise Learning Right For My Organization?

Extended enterprise learning has come a long way in the past decade. It wasn’t that long ago that many organizations didn’t feel it worth their while to train their extended enterprise.

Today 95% of the organizations surveyed have some type of extended enterprise training program and 92% of the program managers believe their programs are having a positive impact on their organizations. The debate on whether to train business partners (i.e. the extended enterprise) is settled. The answer is YES.

Critical Questions To Ask Yourself About Your Organization

How To Prepare For Your Extended Enterprise Training Program

Determine the business drivers behind delivering learning to specific audiences.

Based on the business cases, define the characteristics of each intended audience and determine their unique requirements.

Technology plays a key role in extended enterprise learning. Look for platforms with robust reporting, white-labeling, mobile capabilities and assessment tools that will maximize your efforts.

Companies must determine whether they are going to charge for the learning they deliver and how they will do it. Conduct the necessary market due diligence.

Have a process ans set of KPIs before rolling out learning. For partner training, work together to set expectations for what metrics can be collected and what success looks like. For customer training, use metrics that are meaningful to the business.

Whether you're simply looking for more information on extended enterprise learning or advice on preparing for your extended enterprise training program, a complimentary knowledge exchange with a Latitude extended enterprise expert will help get you on track.