When "Training Included" Isn’t Enough: Turning Vendor Resources into Effective Learning

When a software vendor or service provider says, “training included,” it sounds like a great deal. But as many organisations discover, what’s offered as “training” often falls far short of expectations. Instead of professional, learner-focused materials, companies are handed lengthy PDFs, dense PowerPoint decks, or generic webinars. While well-meaning, these resources can feel like an information dump and fail to engage or educate employees effectively.

This situation recently arose for one of our clients. They’d been supplied with a training pack for a new process, consisting of detailed PDFs and a handful of quizzes. At first glance, the material appeared promising—after all, it had quizzes and a polished layout. However, closer inspection revealed key issues that made the pack unfit for purpose.

Common Issues with Generic Training Resources

1. Overload of Information

   One of the biggest pitfalls of vendor-provided training is the sheer volume of content. In this case, the training material spanned over 80 pages, making it unrealistic for employees to engage with it meaningfully. Expecting learners to read through lengthy documents or dense slides is a sure recipe for disengagement.

   
   

2. Mismatch in Branding and Context

   The images in the PDFs were sourced from another organisation in the UK and didn’t align with the client’s branding or New Zealand context. Learners immediately notice such discrepancies, which can erode trust and credibility.

   
   

3. Lack of Interactivity

   While the quizzes in the original pack showed some effort to engage learners, they weren’t enough to make the material interactive or actionable. Effective training goes beyond testing—it creates an environment where learners can apply knowledge in practical ways.

   
   

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Creating a Tailored Solution

Recognising these gaps, the client asked us to transform the provided training pack into an engaging online learning programme that would work for their staff across multiple outlets. Their existing LMS was an ideal platform for distributing training, allowing us to design modules that could be accessed anywhere, anytime.

Here’s how we approached the project:

1. Streamlining the Content

   We restructured the material, breaking down the dense PDFs into smaller, learner-friendly modules. Each module focused on a specific aspect of the process, with clear learning objectives.

   
   

2. Branding and Localisation

   Working with updated images provided by the client, we ensured that the visuals reflected their NZ operations and brand identity. Where gaps remained, our graphic design team stepped in, using Photoshop to create on-brand imagery that fit seamlessly.

   
   

3. Interactive Learning Design

   Instead of static quizzes, we incorporated interactive elements such as click to reveal activities and branching questions. These features encouraged learners to think critically and apply the training in realistic situations.

   
   

The End Result

The result was a bespoke eLearning programme that met the client’s needs perfectly. Employees could complete the training at their own pace, when the process was rolled out at their location, and the organisation now had a solution they could maintain and update in-house through their LMS. The tailored approach not only improved the user experience but also demonstrated the company’s commitment to high-quality employee development.

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Pro Tip: 

Always assess vendor-provided training materials critically before rolling them out. If you find them lacking, consider engaging a professional instructional design team to adapt or rebuild the training into something fit-for-purpose.