GENERALI, an insurance company with a presence in over 60 countries, chose the MEDIAplus eLearning solution from Editions ENI to train their employees to use office applications. Learner support was provided through distance tutoring, an essential tool for any e-learning project.
How can businesses meet their office application training needs quickly? And how can they deal with ever-increasing demand? To solve these problems, Generali, an insurance company with a presence in over 60 countries, carried out a complete overhaul of the office application training they provided for their employees. "We noted that office applications were used by nearly all Generali employees, so it was a highly strategic subject," explains Céline VOULFOW, Training Project Manager at Generali.
"We were not entirely satisfied with class-based learning as it caused management difficulties, incurred high costs, and did not always meet employees' needs," she continues.
So Generali chose to rethink their office application offer by opting for a solution combining e-learning and distance tutoring, alongside class-based learning.
"Office applications are generally an issue that can be "industrialised." Users all have different needs but you can deal with them in a more general manner than you can with other issues," explains Céline VOULFOW. "The idea was also to rationalise costs and meet training needs more quickly," she adds.
"We were already using an e-learning solution but were not completely satisfied with it, so we decided to challenge 2 e-learning service providers as part of a pilot scheme. The MEDIAplus eLearning solution from Editions ENI was chosen," continues Mrs VOULFOW. "We were particularly impressed by the unique feature of MEDIAplus eLearning: learning in a real environment with immediate results analysis. What's more, the option of adding tutoring, and telephone support for learners during the diagnostic phase, the ease of navigation in the interface and the responsiveness of the ENI team were decisive factors in our choice," she explains.
The system that was set up gives pride of place to tutoring, a real source of added value which helped to persuade even the most sceptical colleagues. "We wanted to be able to tell our employees that they were not alone with their machine; at any time they could contact a tutor who could help them. That was essential for us," explains Céline VOULFOW.
By default, the e-learning + tutoring option is offered to employees who express a need for office application training. They nonetheless have the option of class-based learning if the staff member is reluctant or if they are an absolute beginner, for example.
Employees train at their workstation, although they also have the option of training in isolation in a small dedicated room, as many staff members work in open plan areas where it can sometimes be hard to concentrate for 1½ - 2 hours without being disturbed.
"Our overall assessment is very positive, and our objectives have been achieved," explains Mrs VOULFOW. "Users greatly appreciate the tutoring, even if they don't always use it. It's a bit of a paradox. They don't necessarily call up but knowing that they can do so makes all the difference," she continues.
"I'd like to give you a piece of advice that will no doubt seem extreme, but I don't think the employee should be given the choice between class-based learning and e-learning," asserts Céline VOULFOW. "It is up to us as training managers to take the initiative to put in place a quality e-learning solution. You shouldn't necessarily ask the employee for their opinion, because in 90% of cases they will choose class-based learning because it's easier and they are unfamiliar with e-learning," she continues.
"It's up to us to suggest it by highlighting all the advantages: training at your own pace at a time that suits you, subjects that are relevant to the employee, learning independently with support from a tutor and so on," she adds. "When they use the system, employees realise that it is a satisfactory solution and a good alternative to class-based learning," she concludes.