Top 5 eLearning Platforms for Corporate Employee Training and Events

Offer Employees Access to Corporate Events, Online Training, and Personal Development

The popularity of online education has skyrocketed over the past few years. Whether users seek basic tutorials or an online degree, there are countless eLearning platforms and employee training systems to choose from. 

More and more companies are turning to online learning management systems, or LMS, to provide accessible, high-quality training for their employees. 

However, not all LMS options are created equal. 

With so many eLearning platforms available, it can be challenging to figure out which one offers all-in-one solutions for your business needs. 

Let’s learn more about eLearning platforms, how to tell which one is right for you, and compare five LMS to see what they have to offer. 

What is an eLearning Platform? 

Traditionally, an eLearning platform is an information system utilized by universities, corporations, and schools to teach or train their audience. 

Whether the topic is new eCommerce strategies or a computer science refresher, a quality LMS will allow your employees to improve their skills from anywhere. 

There’s no consistent definition of what features an online learning management system must have to be successful. 

Some eLearning platforms may function like a content management system, or CMS, that serves as a central location for learning materials. 

Others provide a computer-supported collaborative learning system or CSCLS, or simply a knowledge management system of tutors, students, and subject matter experts sharing knowledge.

Because we are focusing on the best software for corporate online training and events, an LMS should automate the tedious and boring training components while offering engaging features that participants can access from anywhere and on any iOS or Android smartphone. 

Choosing the right eLearning platform for your corporate training streamlines the training process for both managers and employees. 

Let’s look at what features you need to look out for when choosing a virtual learning management system.

Features to Look For in an LMS

With so many LMS vendors to choose from, figuring out which one offers the best features and is the most intuitive for your company can be stressful. 

You will need to evaluate whether the eLearning platform is suited for educational or corporate use. Corporate LMSs tend to allow for easier content management and service flexibility, with more participants allowed to join. 

Academic learning management systems are more rigid and can limit the number of users allowed on the platform. 

Here are some non-negotiable features you need to consider before choosing an eLearning platform.

• Dashboard Displays Of Real-Time Views And Compliance

• Data Collection Of Users

• Quizzes, Questionnaires, and Surveys

• Streamlined User Experience

• Engaging Features Like Gamification

• Centralized Content Catalogues And Media Libraries

• Optimized for Remote Employees And Mobile Use 

Keep your industry in mind when choosing the best eLearning platform. For example, if you are a legal or healthcare organization, you will need an LMS that seamlessly integrates with the management system your company utilizes. 

You will also need to anticipate all the use cases you may require from an LMS. It should allow you to host corporate events, execute employee onboarding, and offer the choice between live events and on-demand content, like video lessons.

The Five Best Online Learning Platforms for Employee Training and Corporate Events 

Once you have identified what features are non-negotiable for a corporate eLearning platform, 

Here is an overview of the top five corporate eLearning platforms and what you can expect from them. 

Now that you have an idea of what each LMS has to offer, let’s look at each one. 

1. BeaconLive

BeaconLive offers cloud-based solutions that are intuitive for both users and facilitators. The expansive LMS features allow you to provide training at every step of the employee journey, from onboarding to ongoing training. 

Not only does BeaconLive allow you to create extensive content catalogs and host media libraries, but you can also design online courses using webinars, webcasts, or live virtual events. This means your video lectures and multimedia content is safely stored to be accessed on-demand. 

You can also offer your participants accreditation tools because BeaconLive works closely with accreditation organizations to ensure the training provided can be used officially, which takes an administrative task off your already complete to-do list. 

BeaconLive allows for fully customizable authoring of your course content with integrated content cataloging and media hosting connecting directly to the virtual classroom. 

Most eLearning platforms only focus on content delivery and, occasionally, data collection. Another bonus is that Beacon Live also is fully equipped to host corporate gatherings and virtual events of all sizes. This means that you will have a one-stop location for all your company’s training and corporate event needs. 

2. Udemy For Business 

If you’re looking for a cloud-deployed selection of courses, Udemy For Business allows users to select which courses interest them. Your employees can access Udemy from a mobile app, which will enable them to access learning resources from anywhere. 

Participants can create questions for the trainers through the Udemy For Business platform, which offers interaction between the trainee and trainer. 

For facilitators, Udemy For Business offers data and metrics on how the participants engage with the learning process. 

The downside is that anyone can upload a course, meaning you may have to take time sorting through multiple classes to find the right one for your business. 

Also, certificates issued on Udemy are not endorsed by any institution, meaning they cannot be used towards accreditation or certification if needed. You also cannot offer live meeting sessions through this platform. 

3. Coursera For Business 

Coursera For Business is an open platform LMS with nearly 3,000 courses and online degrees to choose from. It allows participants to apply their knowledge to projects, earn career credentials, and showcase their skills. 

Coursera equips organizations with high-quality content and relevant insights to support long-term skills development. They also offer job-based learning programs for organizations and teams. 

Content for some key industries, like the medical field, is lacking on Coursera For Business. The features are clunky and hard to use, while the website lacks intuitive functionality that streamlines the online learning experience. 

Participants are limited to communicating through message boards with no alternative means of communications within the eLearning platform. 

4. Skillshare

Skillshare is a unique LMS because it is essentially a place for individual users to sell courses they designed for a specific training purpose. They emphasize an education movement rather than acting as a platform to sell or buy online courses. 

5. LinkedIn Learning 

Yes, THAT LinkedIn. The social media heavy hitter launched their learning management system to meet the modern learner’s needs and help employees develop relevant skills. 

Using skills data from the popular professional social networking site, LinkedIn Learning offers a modern learning experience, data science-driven course recommendations, and a seamless desktop and mobile experience. They also use this data to inform the development of future online classes. 

While the content offered by LinkedIn Learning is highly engaging, it is still a relatively new LMS, so there is a severe limitation on course offerings. 

Course completion certificates are automatically added to your personal LinkedIn profile. However, these certificates are not accredited, meaning they hold any value outside of the eLearning platform. 

Use Online Course Platforms for High-Quality Employee Learning Experiences

Now that we’ve examined the top five eLearning platforms for corporate training, you can see how this choice can make or break your training program. 

While all learning management system solutions may seem similar initially, each one comes with its unique offerings. 

Facilitators like you need to make sure that the eLearning platform they choose offers fully accredited courses and certificates and a variety of communication tools to keep employees engaged. 

If you want a straightforward LMS platform that is user-friendly and offers exciting features beyond eLearning, contact BeaconLive to learn more.