In today’s fast-paced business environment, Microlearning is more important than ever for companies to stay competitive by continuously learning and adapting. One approach that is gaining popularity in the field of learning and development is microlearning, which refer to short, focused learning experiences that are designed to be completed in small increments of time. For more information on the different microlearning techniques, you can check out our article on the topic.

There are many benefits to microlearning that make it an appealing option for companies looking to upskill their employees and drive business performance. Below are the most important benefits of microlearning for companies.

For examples of best practice microlearning strategies, check out our free eBook by Nick van Dam, McKinsey’s former Global Head of Learning, on the latest trends and developments in modern L&D strategy.

Microlearning is convenient and flexible

One of the biggest advantages of microlearning is that it is convenient and flexible. Microlearning experiences can be delivered via a variety of formats, including videos, podcasts, articles, and interactive games, and can be accessed on demand via a smartphone or computer. This makes it easy for employees to fit learning into their busy schedules and allows them to learn at their own pace.

It’s Highly targeted

Microlearning experiences are typically focused on a specific topic or skill, making them highly targeted and efficient. This allows employees to zero in on the specific knowledge and skills they need to perform their jobs more effectively, without having to wade through unnecessary or irrelevant information.

Improves knowledge retention

Despite its brevity, microlearning can be highly effective in terms of knowledge retention and application. According to a study by RPS Research, microlearning can increase long-term knowledge retention by up to 80%.

Microlearning is cost-effective

In addition to being convenient and effective, microlearning is also cost-effective. Traditional learning and development programs can be time-consuming and expensive to develop and deliver, but microlearning experiences can be created relatively quickly and at a lower cost. This makes microlearning an attractive option for companies looking to upskill their employees without breaking the bank. According to research by R. Jimenez, PhD., microlearning can reduce development costs by 50% and increase the speed of learning content production by up to 300%.

Offers a more engaging learning experience

Microlearning experiences are designed to be engaging and interactive, which will help hold learners’ attention and increase retention. By using interactive elements such as videos, quizzes, and games, microlearning experiences can keep learners engaged and motivated to learn. A survey by Software Advice found that 58% of employees would be more likely to use their company’s digital learning platform if it had microlearning content broken down into short, bite sized pieces.

Best practice microlearning examples

Walmart launched a microlearning solution across 150 distribution centers in the USA making it available to more than 75000 employees. Walmart employees can access the microlearning platform at any time during their shift, and spend up to 5 minutes playing microlearning games, including games related to health and safety. The system provides instant feedback so employees can quickly identify areas they need to work on while reinforcing information they already know.

Magellan Health launched its microlearning content library to its 7000 employees, and participation in learning quickly soared to 80%. Before introducing and promoting microlearning internally, less than 2% of its workforce on average accessed the company’s digital learning platform every year.

BH Media introduced a microlearning-based onboard training methodology for its sales staff. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with 98% of sales staff agreeing that microlearning content was useful and immediately applicable in their daily workflows.

ATD switched from a traditional classroom approach to training its sales teams to a just-in-time training model using a new microlearning platform. Microlearning content developed to improve sales product knowledge around specific ATD products led to a quick 5.5% increase in sales of those products.

The business value of microlearning

According to a study by Deloitte, modern employees can only dedicate 1% of their day to learning new skills. Which means they have less than half an hour each week they can formally dedicate to workplace learning. Not only is microlearning designed to deal with extreme time pressures, research by the journal of applied psychology, has shown that learning in small bite-sized sessions makes the transfer of new knowledge to the workplace 17% more effective.

For expert insight into how to measure the impact and ROI of your company’s learning and development programs, make sure to listen to this free podcast by Facebook’s Head of Learning Measurement, Kevin Yates, called “Does your Learning Make an Impact?”.

In conclusion, microlearning is a powerful tool for companies looking to upskill their employees and drive business performance. By delivering short, focused learning experiences that are convenient, effective, and cost-effective, companies can create a culture of continuous learning that helps their employees to thrive in an ever-changing business environment.