Build Better Training: A Proven 6-Step
Microlearning Strategy | Maxlearn
In an era of rapid technological change and shifting market demands, the effectiveness
of a company's training program is more critical than ever. Traditional, long-form training
is often too slow, too costly, and too inefficient to keep pace. To truly build better training
that is agile, engaging, and impactful, organizations must embrace a strategic, proven
approach. This article outlines a 6-step microlearning strategy designed to help
businesses, regardless of their industry, transform their training from a reactive
necessity into a proactive driver of performance and growth.
At its core, microlearning is a methodology that delivers knowledge in highly focused,
digestible units, or "snippets," each designed to achieve a single learning objective.
When executed strategically through an integrated ecosystem of microlearning tools,
this approach can revolutionize how employees learn and perform.
Step 1: Align Training with Business Objectives
The most effective training doesn't just teach; it solves a business problem. Before
creating a single microlearning snippet, the first step is to identify a clear, measurable
business objective that training can help achieve.
Action: Don't start with a topic like "customer service." Instead, focus on a business
goal, such as "reduce customer service call times by 15%." For a Finance firm, the goal
might be to "reduce compliance errors by 10% in the next quarter." For Retail, it could
be "increase sales of a new product line by 5%." This alignment ensures every
microlearning course you create has a direct and provable impact on the bottom line.
Step 2: Atomize Your Content into Single-Objective Snippets
Once the business objective is defined, the next step is to break down the required
knowledge into its smallest, most atomic components. This is the essence of
microlearning.
Action: Take a complex topic and deconstruct it. A single-objective snippet for a Health
care professional wouldn't be "using a new medical device," but a 2-minute video on
"the correct calibration procedure for the new glucose monitor." For the Pharma
industry, a snippet could be "the two key talking points for a new drug's side effects."
This ruthless focus ensures that the learning is targeted, easy to retain, and immediately
applicable.
Step 3: Design for Engagement and Real-World Application
Brevity alone doesn't guarantee impact. The content must be engaging and relevant to
the learner's daily tasks to be truly effective.
Action: Go beyond simple text. Use a variety of formats, including short, high-quality
videos, interactive quizzes, infographics, and brief simulations. An AI-powered
Authoring Tool can significantly accelerate this process by converting dense source
material into visually appealing, interactive modules. For Mining, a short animated video
demonstrating a new safety protocol is far more effective than a lengthy text document.
In Banking, a gamified micro-module simulating a fraud detection scenario can be a
powerful learning tool.
Step 4: Leverage Smart Technology for Scalability
A successful microlearning strategy relies on a robust technological foundation that
makes content easy to create, deliver, and manage.
Action: Select a cutting-edge Microlearning Platform that is mobile-first and
user-friendly. An integrated AI-Powered Learning Platform can then personalize the
learning experience, recommending relevant microlearning courses to employees
based on their roles, performance data, and individual needs. This ensures that training
is highly efficient and targeted. Your chosen microlearning software should also support
a wide range of microlearning tools to keep content fresh and engaging.
Step 5: Deploy Just-in-Time and Reinforce for Retention
The power of microlearning is its ability to provide "just-in-time" performance support.
Training shouldn't be a separate event; it should be integrated into the workflow.
Action: Ensure your content is easily accessible on a mobile-friendly Microlearning
Application. For an Oil and Gas field technician, this means a quick video on
troubleshooting a specific piece of equipment is available on their tablet right at the
worksite. To combat the "forgetting curve," use your system to automate spaced
repetition—delivering short refreshers or quizzes on key concepts at optimal intervals.
This is vital for long-term retention of critical information.
Step 6: Measure Impact and Iterate for Continuous Improvement
The final step is to prove the value of your training and use the data to continuously
improve your strategy.
Action: A powerful Microlearning LMS provides the deep analytics needed to track not
just completion rates, but the direct impact on business KPIs. For Insurance, you can
track how microlearning on a new policy feature correlates with increased sales or
faster claims processing. This data allows you to identify what's working, what needs
refinement, and where new training is required. By following this proven 6-step strategy,
businesses across Finance, Retail, Banking, Mining, Health care, Oil and Gas, Pharma,
and Insurance can not only build better training but also transform it into a strategic
asset that drives a culture of continuous learning and performance excellence.
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