The Drawbacks of Using Off-the-Shelf E-Learning for SMEs

Introduction: Why SMEs Turn to Off-the-Shelf E-Learning

Running a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) can feel like a constant balancing act. With limited budgets and time, finding efficient ways to upskill your workforce is crucial.

For many businesses, off-the-shelf e-learning content seems like the perfect solution: affordable, quick to implement, and accessible from anywhere. Job done.

But have you ever felt like something was missing?

Maybe your team struggles to connect with generic content.

Maybe you’re not seeing the results you hoped for.

Is there too much focus on ‘click next’ rather than stuff that makes you stop and think?

And is it working on your phone, or do you have to use a computer?

These frustrations are common, and they stem from the inherent limitations of off-the-shelf e-learning.

In this article, we’ll explore the often-overlooked problems with pre-packaged e-learning solutions, helping you understand where they fall short and what alternatives might better suit your business.

The Hidden Limitations of Off-the-Shelf E-Learning

Off-the-shelf e-learning content is designed for broad audiences, making it convenient for quick deployment. However, its very strength—broad applicability—can also be its greatest weakness.

Lack of Industry-Specific Relevance

SMEs often operate in niche markets with unique challenges. Off-the-shelf courses rarely address the specific scenarios or regulations that matter most to your industry or business. For example, a compliance course designed for general office environments might not cover industry-specific legal obligations, or it may not fit your culture.

Over-Generalised Content

Pre-built courses aim to cater to a wide range of learners, which often leads to watered-down material. This lack of depth can leave your team feeling disengaged and uninspired. Worse, it can fail to deliver the practical skills your business needs.

Impact on Engagement and Knowledge Retention

Engaging training isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for knowledge retention and long-term success. Off-the-shelf e-learning often struggles to captivate learners, leading to lower engagement rates.

Why Generic Training Struggles to Resonate

Imagine asking your team to complete a course full of scenarios that don’t relate to their day-to-day work. It’s hard to stay focused when the material feels irrelevant or disconnected. Employees may skim through or disengage entirely, reducing the effectiveness of the training.

How Low Engagement Affects ROI

When employees fail to absorb or apply what they’ve learned, the return on your investment diminishes. For SMEs with tight budgets, this can be a significant setback. Not only have you lost productivity whilst they’ve been completing the training, but it also hasn’t made a positive difference afterwards. And don’t forget you also paid for the training itself.

Flexibility Issues: Adapting to SME Needs

Small businesses often need training that aligns with their specific goals and workflows. Off-the-shelf solutions, however, are rarely flexible enough to meet these demands.

Challenges in Customising Pre-Built Courses

Most off-the-shelf platforms offer little room for customisation. While some allow minor tweaks, like adding your logo, they often lack the capacity for deeper modifications. If you try to retrofit the content to suit your needs, you might end up spending more time and money than expected.

The Cost of Retrofitting

Adapting a generic course to include industry-specific examples or branding can be expensive and time-consuming. Worse, it still might not deliver the personalised learning experience your team deserves.

Missed Opportunities for Skill Development

One-size-fits-all training often overlooks the nuances of your business, missing key opportunities for meaningful skill development.

Failing to Address Unique Organisational Goals

SMEs often have targeted training needs, whether it’s mastering a new software platform, addressing compliance requirements, or developing niche skills. Off-the-shelf content rarely caters to these unique objectives.

Examples of Gaps in Standardised Training Libraries

For example, a generic leadership course might focus on managing large teams in corporate settings, which doesn’t resonate with the challenges faced by SME managers overseeing smaller, dynamic teams.

The Cost Trap of Off-the-Shelf Content

While off-the-shelf e-learning appears budget-friendly upfront, hidden costs can quickly add up, making it less economical than it seems. Particularly if the ROI is poor.

Hidden Fees and Licensing Terms

Many providers charge additional fees for features like analytics, extra users, or advanced integrations. Licensing terms can also be restrictive, locking you into annual payments even if you no longer need the service.

Value Versus Actual Usage

Off-the-shelf platforms often include extensive libraries of courses. However, if your team only uses a fraction of the available content, you’re essentially overpaying for features you don’t need.

Data and Insights: What Do SMEs Really Need?

Market research shows that SMEs require training solutions that are both cost-effective and tailored to their specific needs.

Studies Highlighting the Gap

For example, a 2023 study by eLearning Industry revealed that SMEs are twice as likely to benefit from training solutions that integrate real-world scenarios relevant to their industry.

Examples of Success with Tailored Solutions

Focused e-learning delivered by phone and tablet improved compliance and supported legal sales in the retail industry. The course targeted specific activities a retailer must do, provided scenarios to practice, and was designed to be experienced in small chunks, easy to fit around the usual working day. The result? Shop owners could offer their staff highly focused, low-cost learning that addressed specific compliance requirements. Find out more here.

How Jessanol Bridges the Gap

At Jessanol, we understand the unique challenges SMEs face when it comes to training and development. That’s why we offer a range of flexible e-learning solutions designed to meet your specific needs. Solutions that are highly focused, designed for efficiency and practicality, and targeted for your business goals.

Tailored and Semi-Customised Solutions

Our tailored options ensure your training content is directly aligned with your goals. Based on scenarios and storytelling, we create engaging, relevant courses that drive real results.

Our Approach

We begin by understanding your organisation’s needs, goals, and budget. Then, we design solutions that balance cost and effectiveness, ensuring you get maximum value without overpaying for unnecessary features.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Path for SME Training

Off-the-shelf e-learning content may seem like an easy fix, but its limitations can hinder your organisation’s growth. From low engagement to hidden costs, these drawbacks often outweigh the initial appeal.

If you’re ready to explore more effective training options, Jessanol is here to help. Contact us today to learn how we can support your SME with flexible, impactful e-learning solutions tailored to your needs.