E-learning is transforming the way we learn and grow, and at BENEO, we are embracing this change. Without even realizing it, many of us are already engaging with e-learning in various ways. From attending live webinars that allow for real-time interaction with industry experts to watching instructional videos on platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, e-learning is everywhere. Have you ever used Duolingo to pick up a new language on the go? Or tuned into a TED Talk podcast while commuting? These everyday interactions highlight how e-learning makes knowledge accessible anytime, anywhere.
At BENEO, we recognize the immense potential of e-learning to enhance our professional development. In this blog I will delve into the benefits of e-learning, how we at BENEO are integrating it into our organisation, and the feedback we’ve received so far. I will also be transparent on the challenges we face and how we plan to overcome them to build a robust learning culture. Ready to dive into the world of e-learning with us?
The importance of e-learning at BENEO to support a learning culture
E-learning is not just a trend, it’s a necessity in today’s fast-paced world. For BENEO, it offers numerous benefits. One of the primary advantages is flexibility and accessibility. All BENEO employees worldwide can learn at their own pace and schedule, no matter what time zone they are in. That makes it easier to balance work and personal commitments. This flexibility ensures that learning can happen anytime and anywhere, fitting seamlessly into our (work) lives. BENEO’s e-learning catalogue is a perfect fit for our international character, as it offers flexible, accessible, and standardized training.
Another significant benefit is cost-effectiveness. E-learning reduces costs associated with traditional classroom training, such as travel and accommodation. This makes it a more economical option for both BENEO and our employees, allowing for more frequent and varied training opportunities without the added expenses.
The scalability of e-learning
E-learning can also easily be scaled to accommodate many learners. At BENEO we sometimes want to train a handful of employees, and in some cases, we aim to train even hundreds. E-learning makes it possible for us to deploy the desired content quickly and efficiently to meet the demand. Our e-learning courses can also be updated swiftly to reflect the latest industry standards, regulations, and best practices. This ensures that learners always have access to the latest information.
On top of that, e-learning covers a wide range of topics, from technical competencies to soft competencies, catering to diverse interests and needs. The broad spectrum of subjects ensures that there is something valuable for everyone, enhancing the overall set of competencies of our workforce. Moreover, e-learning courses can incorporate multimedia elements such as videos, quizzes, simulations, and gamification to make learning more interactive and engaging, leading to better retention and understanding of the material.
Furthermore, e-learning supports a culture of continuous learning by providing employees with easy access to ongoing education and professional development opportunities. This helps keep our competencies sharp and relevant in a rapidly changing job market. Consistent training for all employees, regardless of their location, ensures that every employee receives the same quality of training, promoting uniformity and standardisation across the organisation.
BENEO’s e-learning journey so far
As BENEO we’ve slowly been integrating e-learning into our training programs for a few years now. It has been implemented in various courses such as compliance modules on for example data protection or information security, or the yearly hygiene training that takes place at our different production sites. These courses not only ensure that BENEO meets regulatory requirements but have also provided employees with the knowledge and competencies to maintain high standards in BENEO’s daily work.
In addition to these essential courses, we have introduced interactive online classes that have made learning more engaging and accessible. A session on Microsoft related topics such as Excel or OneNote, a sales related training or an interactive course on sustainability are just a few examples of courses that now are rather frequently given in a digital format. The overall feedback has been really positive, with many BENEO employees appreciating the opportunity to join international training opportunities.
As we move forward, we’re taking our e-learning initiatives to the next level. This year, BENEO has launched a comprehensive e-learning catalogue focusing on behavioural competencies. This new initiative is designed to offer more flexibility and cater to individual learning interests.
Preparing for the launch of our e-learning catalogue
While launching an e-learning catalogue sounds easy – it was already quite a journey to get where we are today. Our journey began by addressing our need for suitable content with our mother company, Südzucker Group, to see if we could join forces across the entire group. Given BENEO’s international character, we were looking for content in at least five languages to best serve our employees. After conducting market research and engaging in negotiations, we engaged into a partnership with GoodHabitz, a supplier of e-learnings in a wide variety of languages and topics. This collaboration resulted in an interactive and fun e-learning catalogue for our employees. But what does it take to make such a catalogue a reality?
First, it required significant technical setup and preparation. When we were ready to make the catalogue available to our employees, we embarked on HR roadshows to inform our management and labour parties about our plans. During these sessions, we explained what we wanted to launch, where we needed their help, and exchanged about the role of the organisation, management and employees in this initiative. These roadshows were just the first building blocks, as we continue to build and shape the rest of our e-learning journey.
Variety and accessibility are key success factors
On the positive side, we have seen and heard enthusiasm from our employees at BENEO about the courses we are offering. Many people appreciate the variety and availability of courses, finding that there is something for everyone. Employees can follow courses aligned with their personal development goals, but also explore subjects based on personal interest. And the best part? The content is available for free, so there’s no need for our employees to pay for it. This makes it accessible to everyone, encouraging continuous learning without financial barriers.
The courses are set up in such a way that you can always continue where you left off, and even if you only have half an hour, there are many learning activities you can easily complete. This makes it easy to fit learning into even the busiest of schedules. The content is also interactive and diverse, allowing each employee to choose the learning activities that best fits their way of learning. Some people learn better by reading, others by watching a video, and the content accommodates these preferences.
Overcoming awareness challenges
One of the challenges we are facing is creating awareness. We made efforts to inform our management and send out various communications to our employees, but we have noticed that not every employee is already aware of the e-learning catalogue that is available. Ensuring that all employees know about and can access these valuable resources is crucial. We are exploring more effective ways to communicate and promote our e-learning offerings so that everyone can take advantage of the opportunities to learn and grow.
E-learning succeeds with the right devices and access. BENEO is dedicated to making e-learning available and accessible for every employee, both white- and blue-collar workers. While there are challenges, we are confident in our commitment to overcome them and create a seamless learning experience for every employee.
Balancing learning and work: time constraints
BENEO’s employees are enthusiastic and willing to learn, especially after we introduced the feature to bookmark courses. This makes it easy for them to express interest in a course and return to it later without having to search for it again. But enthusiasm alone isn’t enough. How many times have we all wanted to learn something new but struggled to find the time? Making time for learning in our daily routines is the hardest part. We are all busy, focused on our jobs, and while we want to learn, finding the time can be a real challenge.
We are still figuring out the best ways to address this. One initiative that supports this idea is BENEO’s Focus Fridays, where employees are encouraged to use the time for focused work which also includes trainings. It’s an excellent opportunity to focus on personal development and dive into learning activities. Balancing this principle with daily work responsibilities is challenging. But we are seeing more people integrate it into their schedules successfully.
Managers in our organisation play a crucial role here. By leading by example and making time for their own learning, managers encourage their team members to do the same. They help their teams prioritize learning and make it a part of their routine. There is nothing more inspiring to see a manager who values continuous learning.
And so, the journey continues: making e-learning an integral part of our work
BENEO’s e-learning platform is live, but this is just the beginning. The launch marks the start of an exciting journey toward building a comprehensive learning culture within BENEO. A learning culture is not just about having resources available. It’s about creating an environment where continuous development is woven into our daily routines.
We are pleased to see more and more people finding their way to our catalogue. To keep it top of mind, we regularly nudge and trigger our employees through various channels. It will however stay a point of attention in the future to make sure each employee knows about the offer and uses it as they see fit.
Looking ahead, there is for sure plenty of work on our plate. We still must make sure blue-collar workers also have access to the e-learning catalogue, whilst the production process continues. BENEO aims to build a learning culture where learning activities are seamlessly integrated into the daily jobs. By addressing the challenges mentioned earlier in this blog and continuing to promote the e-learning catalogue, we are committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within our organisation. The journey is ongoing, and with each step, BENEO moves closer to making e-learning an integral part of our work environment.
