The Drawbacks of Using Off-the-Shelf E-Learning for SMEs
Introduction: Why SMEs Turn to Off-the-Shelf E-Learning
Off-the-shelf e-learning can look like the perfect solution for SMEs:
affordable
quick to implement
lots of content in a library
job done
And sometimes it is the right move.
But many SMEs buy generic e-learning and then quietly realise something important:
People complete it… and nothing changes.
If that sounds familiar, it’s usually not because your team doesn’t care.
It’s because off-the-shelf content comes with built-in limits.
1) It isn’t built for your reality
Generic courses aim to be useful for everyone which often means they’re deeply relevant to no one.
Your team doesn’t need “general awareness”.
They need support with your scenarios, your customers, your risks, your workflows.
When examples don’t match real work, learners switch off.
2) Engagement drops (and so does ROI)
If the experience is mostly “click next”, people will treat it like admin:
skim
guess
complete
forget
The cost isn’t just the licence fee.
It’s the time your team spent training… without a performance return.
For SMEs, that’s a painful trade.
3) You can’t adapt it properly
Some providers allow light edits (logo, colours, maybe a few slides).
But SMEs often need deeper changes:
different examples
different language
different process steps
different priorities
different tone
Trying to retrofit generic content can become a hidden cost trap: you pay for the library and spend time patching around it.
4) It often misses your most valuable skills
Off-the-shelf libraries tend to be strongest on “broad topics” and weakest on:
decision-making in your context
problem-solving in your workflow
the judgement calls your people make daily
the “how we do things here” reality of small teams
That’s exactly where SME performance is won or lost.
So what’s the alternative?
You don’t have to choose between:
expensive bespoke programmes, or
generic content that doesn’t land
A practical middle ground is focused, scenario-based micro-learning built around the work people actually do.
Sometimes that’s bespoke.
Sometimes it’s curated and structured.
Sometimes it’s a small “capability system” rather than a course.
The right answer depends on one thing:
What do your people need to know and do differently?
If you’re not sure what’s missing, start here
If you want quick clarity on whether your current training approach is building capability (or just ticking boxes), take the Learning Impact Scorecard.
👉 Take the free Learning Impact Scorecard
And if you want supported clarity before investing in anything new, Define & Align helps you pinpoint what’s needed and choose the most cost-effective solution for your SME.