Rethinking LMS and LXP: Learning Tech 2023

‘Learning Experience Platforms’ and ‘Learning Management Systems’ (LXPs and LMSs) have long been the order of the day. In terms of sales rep training training and e-learning, organizations of all kinds have used these technologies to onboard and educate their workforces. That goes for corporate offices, retailers, direct sellers, insurers, and other businesses. However, as 2023 continues, many are asking whether and how these models of technology delivery have been evolved upon.

There are certain inherent problems for Learning Experience Platforms and Learning Management Systems. For example, they use a “one-size-fits-all” approach to workforce training and learning. That’s not great, especially at a time of a “structural labor shortage” – when the workforce wants to feel valued above all. 

So what other model exists for making sure the workforce is onboarded, educated, and trained? Well, in fact, experts have been talking about a new paradigm called “performance enablement,” which both incorporates LXP and LMS and goes beyond them.

The State of LXP and LMS for Sales Rep Training

Sales rep training has changed a lot over the past several years. We’re seeing trends develop right now that point toward a future in which LXP and LMS models for technology deliver change radically. Whereas LXPs and LMSs once provided a one-size-fits-all experience for all members of the workforce, today it’s uncertain that that will continue to work. What trends are affecting their applicability?

1. The Growth of the Distributed Workforce – Though many workforce members have returned to the office or specific work sites, a sizable number have embraced the new arrangements made possible by the age of distributed work. Whether that means embracing gig work, which is expected to grow to $455 billion in 2023, or flexible office work, the distributed and de-localized workforce is here to stay – and expand.   

2. The Availability of Digital Experiences – Whether we’re talking about the Uber app or Instagram, technology is everywhere, with more and more experiences being centralized in a  single app. Even cybersecurity is huge with many countries and regions adopting new standards for data protection and security. IDC predicts that digital transformation investments are expected to reach $7 trillion by 2023. 

If you’re not digitalizing the sales rep training experience and centralizing multiple tools in a single app, you’re failing the workforce, and they’re going to look elsewhere. Particularly if you’re in industries like retail and direct selling, where gig work is an easy alternative.

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3. The Flexibility of Personalization – Similarly to #2, AI and digital technology are changing. Technology is becoming hugely intelligent, with ChatGPT even helping college students write their essays. Smart chatbots are proliferating, and most apps we use from day to day provide a personalized experience “just for me.” So when the workforce opens their LXP or LMS, they’re going to be disappointed to see that their user experience has nothing to do with their personalities, goals, or aspirations. 

How Performance Enablement Yields a More Productive Workforce and Stronger Sales Rep Training

Performance enablement is a major new paradigm that takes us beyond LMS and LXP standards. Clearly, LMSs and LXPs aren’t up to the job when it comes to workforce learning technology. As a rule, these systems aren’t architected to change and evolve depending on the specific user. They take a “one-size,” de-personalized approach. They might be efficient at delivering information and trainings, but they’re not responsive to particular individuals’ situations. With the workforce more dispersed and self-determining than ever, a far more flexible, dynamic, context-based kind of technology is needed. 

That’s where performance enablement comes in. Performance enablement platforms, or PEPs, contain sales rep training elements, but connect these to other features too, like incentivization, communications, opportunity management, and other business-building tools. 

Think of PEPs like LMSs or LXPs that change and adapt to users’ individual, personal goals and needs, while boosting productivity at every stage of the workforce experience – not just onboarding, training, and learning. 

Smart Tech Drives Revenue: Here’s How

Whereas LMSs and LXPs simply help the workforce get trained and onboarded faster, in connecting learning to other productivity tools, PEPs actively contribute to increased performance and revenue. When on-the-job digital training gets fed seamlessly into incentives, recognition, and customer retention tools, the workforce is not only learning, they’re learning in a way that drives results. This isn’t only sales rep training, but sales rep training for specific business outcomes.

Let’s say Jenna is second on her sales leaderboard for the week. She’s a member of the distributed workforce remotely selling technology on an app exchange. Her PEP might send her a smart notification toward the end of the week suggesting that she watch a refresher video on closing sales. “Yes,” she thinks, “just what I needed!”

So you see, performance enablement is about personalizing the workforce experience for the distributed workforce in an all-in-one digital experience. Not only that, but PEP personalizes productivity at exactly the right moment for this individual, intelligently.

To learn more about PEP check out our OwnBackup case study, or request your free Rallyware demo today.