This is the second article in our 6-part series on building a resilient learning strategy for small and medium-sized businesses. In Step 1, we looked at how to define your business objectives and identify the risk areas that learning can help address.
In Step 2, we focus on how learning technology should align with those identified needs – your business objectives and risk areas.. A good and well-implemented Learning Management System (LMS) is an engine that enables agility, tracks progress, and connects learning with performance. Choosing the right one can make all the difference.
For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the ideal LMS should strike a balance between power and simplicity; delivering meaningful features without requiring a dedicated team to manage it.
What to Look for in a Resilience-Ready LMS
Here are five critical features to consider when choosing an LMS that supports long-term resilience.
1. Microlearning and Mobile Access
Employees need learning at their fingertips—especially in fast-paced or field-based roles.
A recent report by Raytheon cited that microlearning improves retention by 80%, and mobile learning enables learners to complete tasks 45% faster than on desktop. (https://joshbersin.com/2018/06/a-new-paradigm-for-corporate-training-learning-in-the-flow-of-work/)
Additionally, microlearning modules can increase employee engagement by up to 50% and improve on-the-job performance by 30%, especially when mobile-accessible. (https://www.enterpriseelearninghub.com/guides/microlearning-content-maximum-retention-education/)
WorkPlan Learning is an LMS that supports:
- Bite-sized, on-demand content
- Mobile-friendly interfaces for anytime, anywhere access
WorkPlan Learning ensures training is available in the moment of need, not just in scheduled sessions.
2. Simple Content Creation or Upload
Your LMS should make it easy to keep learning current and relevant.
Josh Bersin research highlights that platforms enabling rapid authoring and just-in-time learning support “learning in the flow of work” and drive higher relevance and learner engagement. (https://joshbersin.com/2018/06/a-new-paradigm-for-corporate-training-learning-in-the-flow-of-work/)
Learning systems that support rapid authoring and content updates enable organisations to keep training relevant and aligned to changing needs. The Brandon Hall Group reported that 78% of high-performing organisations use platforms that support quick content creation to maintain business agility. (https://brandonhall.com/learning-technology-trends/)
A modern LMS like WorkPLan Learning should enable non-technical users to build or update learning content with ease. Whether you’re:
- Uploading PDFs, elearning packages, or video tutorials
- Creating quick internal updates or how-to guide.
3, Compliance Tracking and Reporting
For businesses in regulated industries or those focused on workforce safety, compliance tracking and reporting is non-negotiable.
Organisations with strong compliance tracking in their LMS reduce audit risks and usually see 30–50% time savings on compliance reporting. An LMS that automates reminders and tracks completions helps businesses avoid costly breaches.
Your LMS should:
- Automate compliance reminders and expiry alerts
- Offer reporting dashboards for audits and assurance
WorkPlan Learning reduces risk while improving visibility over compliance performance.
4. Manager Dashboards
To ensure learning translates into real business outcomes—like improved performance, goal alignment, and reduced risk—managers need visibility into their team’s learning progress.
The LinkedIn Learning Report 2023 states that managers are the most influential learning advocates—and when they are engaged and have visibility into learning progress, employees are 75% more likely to complete training. (https://learning.linkedin.com/resources/workplace-learning-report)
Look for dashboards that allow managers to:
- Track completions, overdue training, and compliance status
- View learning aligned to team and individual objectives
- Identify skills gaps or coaching opportunities
When managers can see what their teams are learning—and where support is needed—they become active drivers of development, not just observers.
5. Peer-to-Peer or Social Learning Tools
Knowledge sharing isn’t just efficient. It’s one of the most powerful ways to strengthen team capability, reduce dependency on key individuals, and foster a culture of continuous learning.
The Harvard Business Review and Deloitte Human Capital Trends highlight the growing impact of collaborative and social learning, with findings that show employees learn 2x more effectively through peer interaction than through formal training alone. (https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/human-capital-trends/2020.html)
WorkPlan Learning enables peer-to-peer or social learning helps employees:
- Share expertise and best practices across teams
- Ask questions and get real-time answers from colleagues
- Collaborate on problem-solving and innovation
These tools create internal knowledge networks that make your business more resilient by ensuring critical information doesn’t sit with just one person. Knowledge needs to be accessible, shared, and constantly evolving. Informal learning can often move faster than structured training.
Why the Right Fit Matters for SMBs
While large enterprises may be able to afford complex, feature-heavy platforms, SMBs often need:
- A system that’s intuitive to use
- Affordable to scale
- Designed with business agility in mind
Platforms like WorkPlan Learning are built with these needs at the core; offering flexibility without complexity. Whether you’re training a dispersed workforce, keeping up with compliance requirements, or launching a new onboarding program, the right LMS should empower, not overwhelm.
Your LMS is more than just a training platform—it’s a strategic tool that can help your business respond to change, reduce risk, and retain talent.
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Part of the “Build Business Resilience Through Learning” Series
This is Article 2 of 6 in our series designed to help small and medium-sized businesses implement a learning solution that strengthens agility, capability, and performance.
Previous Article:
Step 1 – Define Your Business Objectives and Risk Areas
Next Article:
Step 3 – Focus on Priority Learning Areas That Strengthen Resilience
