eLearning consulting

An eLearning consultant provides much more than just technical support. They are a strategic partner that helps companies establish sustainable learning processes and create a culture that values learning. In the first step of the journey, eLearning consultants analyze the company’s existing structures and training needs. They examine which learning content, systems, and communication channels are already in place and where there is potential for improvement. Based on this, they develop a learning strategy that aligns with the company’s goals, covering everything from compliance and product training to international learning programs.

Professional eLearning consultants take into account not only the technology, but also didactics, internal communications, and change management. This ensures that new learning opportunities are accepted and utilized by employees. Good consultants therefore consider systems, processes, and people.

A comprehensive eLearning consultation guides companies through all the various phases of digital training, from the initial idea to sustainable operation. It begins with a thorough analysis and strategy development, in which learning objectives, target groups, KPIs, and the existing technical infrastructure are all determined. This is followed by tool consultation and selection. The consultant provides support with choosing the learning management system (LMS), learning content management system (LCMS), or authoring tool that best meets their client’s requirements. This is followed by the implementation and integration of the systems, including interface management and technical configuration. Another key component is content development. They create customized online courses, flashcards, videos, and microlearning formats that convey knowledge in a strategic and motivating way. Training management also plays an important role. The consultant can take over the organization, administration, and support provision for the learning process to relieve your internal resources. In addition, they can assist you with the necessary cultural shift through professional change management, and ensure acceptance among employees with targeted communication strategies. Finally comes the evaluation and optimization phase, during which learning outcomes are measured, reports are created, and content is continuously developed. This holistic approach clearly distinguishes experienced eLearning consultants from pure software providers.

Not every company operating in the field of eLearning offers the same services. It’s worth knowing the differences so that you can decide what type of support you want to bring in.

The biggest mistake many companies make is to view eLearning in isolation—as a tool project rather than a learning strategy. Professional eLearning consulting helps to avoid precisely that.

It brings structure to complex decision-making processes, identifies potential pitfalls at an early stage, and ensures lasting acceptance among learners. Companies benefit from best practices from other projects, measurable successes, and a faster ROI. Plus, working with experienced consultants saves time and money by avoiding mistakes in tool selection, didactics, and implementation.

More than ever in these times of skilled labor shortages and digitalization, training is a competitive factor that should not be underestimated. Well-founded eLearning consulting ensures that learning processes are not only digital, but also add value on a strategic level.

When selecting a suitable eLearning consultant, there’s much more to consider than just the ’bang-for-your-buck’ factor. What matters is the combination of experience, industry knowledge, and implementation expertise. Companies should ensure that their provider has many years of experience and has already successfully implemented comparable projects. 

A holistic approach is also important. Good eLearning consulting doesn’t just consider the technology; it combines strategy, didactics, and content into a single, coherent concept. Ideally, consultants should work independently of specific tools and recommend solutions that precisely match the company’s individual requirements, rather than those that are easiest to sell. 

Relevant references and verifiable project successes are also strong indicators of quality. Futureproofing plays another key role. Modern topics such as artificial intelligence, microlearning, and learning analytics should be taken into account in the consultation. Equally important is reliable service and long-term support to ensure that digital learning works long-term. A personal consultation or a small pilot project offers the best opportunity to test the competence and suitability of the partner in practice before investing in a larger project.

There are now a large number of companies on the market that specialize in specific areas of eLearning, such as content creation, digital training design, or the sale of eLearning software. These specializations can be valuable building blocks, but they often fall short when it comes to the overall success of digital training. Providers like this often fail to offer strategic consulting expertise, technical support, or assistance with achieving the crucial cultural shift within your company.

These aspects are particularly important for eLearning to have a lasting impact. A learning platform or course alone is not enough if your processes, learning objectives, and communication aren’t coordinated. Companies should therefore look to independent eLearning experts that combine all the various aspects of strategy, technology, didactics, and change management.

An experienced, neutral partner brings the necessary vision to develop customized solutions and ingrain digital training in the company long-term. This creates a system that not only works, but also fosters a culture in which learning is valued and drives the company forward strategically.

Companies that work with a corporate learning partner such as chemmedia AG are particularly flexible as they get all the services they need from a single source—from strategic eLearning consulting and the rollout of suitable systems to the creation of professional learning content and ongoing training management. Companies can choose exactly the modules they need right now, but still remain futureproof with the option to expand their service portfolio at any time. This combination of flexibility, experience, and technological expertise makes a full-service partner one of the most sustainable solutions for digital training.

Companies that work with an eLearning consultant on a long-term basis enjoy double the benefit: They ensure continuity and always have the latest technologies and methods available. A long-term partnership also enables them to develop a learning culture that adapts to new requirements, such as the introduction of AI-supported learning or personalized learning paths.

Consultancies such as chemmedia AG offer managed training services alongside the initial rollout. This means that they can take over the entire training management process if required, ensuring consistent quality and reducing the workload of HR teams.