Why Online Training = Democratization

November 18, 2015

One of the ethical dilemmas of organising cultural training for large multinationals is the fact that  there are so many NGOs, small businesses and private individuals which cultural training could benefit enormously but do not have the funds to pay for these type of workshops due to the niche nature of the industry.

Personally, I think it’s a real shame because these face-to-face workshops have immense value – they are made bespoke and hence provide a clients’ global workforce with tools for cultural competences development and a time for employees to cultivate greater cultural self-awareness. This is partly why such trainings are expensive and the majority of the world cannot afford individual intercultural coaching sessions.

So this is where online training comes in – quality content at an affordable rate which anyone with an internet connection can access. In addition, online training can also be made to address specific target groups. For example, we were recently asked to develop an online course for Indian nationals who would be working in the USA or remotely with American colleagues – a very niche population.

Online training is much like a guided meditation, it covers the same content as an in-person session, module by module, but you’re in control of the time it takes to get through it. For example, if you want to reflect on a particular exercise, you can do so and not get carried away if the group dynamic is quicker than what you would prefer. Equally, if you would like to go back and review a certain model, you can do so with the click of a button.

So here are our top reasons why online training is a democratic solution for cultural training:

Price:

• It costs a fraction of a face-to-face training
• You don’t need to go anywhere to get trained and your company saves on travel expense

Accessibility:

• All you need is a computer or tablet device, and an internet connection to get started
• Depending on the platform, you can access the course on the go and make use of travel/commutes

Content Ownership:

• Once you buy the course, it is yours for life
• Online training can be integrated in company’s knowledge management system

Learning Implementation:

• Quizzes and tests help you address key areas of focus and knowledge gaps
• You can stop, rewind and fast forward as you please and therefore implement key learnings into your day to day work
• When you hear/see something cool, you can share it with your colleagues as opposed to telling them about it after the fact
• You can refresh your memory anytime by playing parts of the course again

Do you agree that online training can be more democratic? Why or why not?

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