Unlock the Power of Totara Engage to Boost Learner Engagement

If you’re looking to take your learning programs to the next level and supercharge employee engagement, look no further than Totara Engage. Whether you’re a business using it alongside Totara Learn or as a standalone product, Totara Engage helps your organization shift from passive learning to active, collaborative knowledge-sharing. In this guide, we’ll explore how to get started with Totara Engage and maximize its potential in your organization.

Why Choose Totara Engage?

Totara Engage goes beyond traditional training approaches by integrating both formal and informal learning, fostering collaboration, and allowing employees to create and curate their own learning materials. With its rich integration with Microsoft Teams, users can effortlessly collaborate and share resources. But here’s the kicker – Totara Engage enables users to move from simple consumers of learning content to creators and collaborators.

By creating a more engaged and empowered workforce, organizations can significantly improve productivity and employee satisfaction. It can help you tackle challenges such as onboarding, performance support, and employee engagement with innovative solutions like collaborative workspaces, curated learning playlists, and rich social learning features. 

Getting Started with Totara Engage

To ensure a smooth rollout, it’s important to have a plan. Here’s a quick start guide for implementing Totara Engage in your workplace:

  • Seed Content
    Before launching the platform, create and upload sample content. It can be as simple as a guide on how to use the system, a playlist of internal resources (such as templates), or even internal news updates to get everyone familiar with the platform’s potential.
  • Set Up Collaborative Workspaces
    Totara Engage shines in its ability to bring teams together. Create dedicated workspaces for your departments – like marketing or sales – where employees can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and offer feedback in real-time. If you’re looking for inspiration, this guide shows how workspaces can make project coordination seamless.
  • Curate Learning Playlists
    A powerful feature of Totara Engage is its ability to curate learning playlists. These playlists can be filled with articles, videos, and podcasts to suit a variety of learning styles. For example, a playlist on leadership development might include TED Talks, blog articles, and internal training videos. The best part? Playlists are flexible and can be tailored to any topic or project.
  • Recruit Learning Ambassadors
    Identifying enthusiastic early adopters is a smart move. These individuals can act as learning ambassadors, creating and curating content that will drive platform adoption. Reward them to maintain momentum – perhaps through gamification or public recognition within the platform itself.
  • Soft Launch
    Start with a soft launch before going live across the organization. This allows team leads and early adopters to populate the platform with meaningful content. You’ll also be able to troubleshoot any issues before opening it up to everyone.

Maximizing the Potential of Totara Engage

With the platform in place, it’s important to continuously promote and enhance engagement. Here are some ways to get the most out of Totara Engage:

  • Learner Engagement Reports
    Keep track of which content resonates the most with users through learner engagement reports. Identify top-performing resources, highlight active contributors, and pinpoint any areas where engagement is lagging. Check out how data-driven insights can transform learning experiences.
  • Integrations for Seamless Learning
    One of the standout features of Totara Engage is its integration with Microsoft Teams. Users can access content, collaborate, and share knowledge without switching platforms, creating a seamless learning experience. Whether it’s creating a playlist or launching a survey, everything happens within the flow of work.
  • Gamification and Recognition
    To keep users coming back, build in opportunities for reward and recognition. Employees can rate and comment on shared resources, turning learning into a social and engaging activity. Consider running a monthly competition for the most highly-rated content or recognizing top contributors during company meetings.

Wrap-up

Totara Engage is a game-changer for organizations that want to increase learner engagement and foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. By taking advantage of its collaborative workspaces, curated playlists, and seamless integrations, you can transform your learning environment into one that’s dynamic and future-ready.

Ready to take the leap? Discover how Totara Engage can revolutionize your training programs with a free demo.

 

Choosing the Right Learning Platform for Your Business

How to Choose the Perfect Learning Platform: A Guide for Your Business

With so many learning platforms available, the process of choosing one can feel like a maze. It’s a decision that can have a significant impact on your business, so getting it wrong can be frustrating, costly, and time-consuming. But don’t worry—it doesn’t have to be that way! Here’s a simplified guide to help you make the best choice for your organization.

Why Choosing the Right Learning Platform Matters

Research shows that a whopping 91% of organizations are unhappy with their current LMS or LXP. This dissatisfaction often stems from platforms that are too rigid, costly, or hard to implement. If you’re struggling, it’s time to rethink your approach. Whether you want to enhance customer service, reduce employee turnover, drive course sales, or meet compliance standards, the right platform can do wonders for your organization.

But first, let’s walk through what to look for in a learning platform.

Start with Your Goals

Think about what you actually want your learning platform to achieve:

Keeping your goals at the forefront of your search will help you cut through the noise and make an informed decision. After all, a platform that works for someone else may not necessarily work for you.

Who Wants What? Involving Key Stakeholders

When it comes to selecting a learning platform, it’s essential to think beyond just the L&D team. Different stakeholders in your organization will have different priorities:

  • Paying customers: They want an easy to use buying process for any course
  • End Users: If your learners don’t like the platform, they won’t use it. Simple.
  • IT Department: They’ll want to ensure the system is secure and fits within your existing infrastructure.
  • Your CEO/CFO: Do they want a solution that can connect every part of your enterprise together and offer real insight and ROI. 
  • Managers: They’ll need to track progress and monitor training completion rates.
  • Sales Teams: If you have a sales team, they might look for features like leaderboards or external access for partners.
  • Compliance Teams: They’ll want granular control over content assignments and detailed reporting.

Get input from all these groups early in the process to make sure everyone’s needs are met.

Flexibility: Do You Need It?

The business world changes fast—so should your learning platform. You don’t want to be locked into a system that doesn’t grow with you. Consider whether your platform offers:

  • Integration: Does it sync up easily with your CRM, HR systems, or other platforms?
  • Scalability: Can the platform handle growth, such as an increase in employees or opening new branches?
  • Customization: Can you tailor the platform to reflect your brand or offer personalized learning paths for your users?

This is where open-source learning platforms come in handy. They allow you to tweak the software to meet your needs without waiting for the vendor to release an update.

Will This Platform Grow With Us?

You should always think long-term when selecting a learning platform. Business priorities can shift overnight, and your LMS should be able to adapt. Some questions to consider:

  • Will you be able to easily add new users or departments as your business expands?
  • Can you extend the platform to external users like partners or customers?
  • If your needs change, will the platform allow you to add new functionalities without huge costs?

A flexible platform ensures you’re not stuck with outdated technology in the future. Don’t forget, open-source software offers significant advantages here, allowing you to adapt quickly and with minimal hassle.

What Happens if We Change Our Minds?

Let’s face it: the business landscape is unpredictable. You could face mergers, acquisitions, or restructures that demand a change in your learning platform. A rigid platform can hold you back. Ensure that your solution gives you the freedom to make adjustments, whether that means restructuring your content or adding entirely new features.

What’s the Most Important Factor: Time, Quality, or Cost?

Different organizations have different priorities. Some need quick implementations, while others focus on the long-term quality of learning materials. Decide what matters most to your business. Is it getting something in place quickly? Offering the best user experience? Or saving money?

Having clear priorities will guide your conversations with vendors and help you make the right choice. Remember, an open-source platform can give you more control, letting you adjust based on your most important drivers.

Final Thoughts

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, the demands on your organisation to stay competitive are only going to grow. That’s why flexibility, adaptability, and scalability should be at the top of your list when choosing a learning platform. Getting this decision right is critical to ensuring your workforce remains skilled and productive in the long run.

By considering all your stakeholders’ needs and keeping your goals front and center, you’ll set yourself up for success. And who doesn’t want a smoother, more effective learning experience for their team?

Revamping Onboarding Processes

Onboarding in the New Normal: How to Get It Right

The world of work has shifted dramatically over the past few years. With the rise of remote and hybrid work models, many businesses are finding their traditional onboarding practices a little… well, outdated. Let’s be honest, new hires don’t want to feel like they’re just ticking boxes in a generic orientation program. Instead, they expect a tailored, connected, and meaningful experience from day one. So, how can businesses onboard in a way that makes new employees feel like valued team members, even when working remotely?

Let’s dive into the key ways you can revolutionize your onboarding process for this “new normal.”

The Importance of Breaking Down Silos

One major problem in the onboarding process is the lack of coordination between departments. When HR, IT, and managers aren’t on the same page, new employees might feel lost. Imagine starting a new job and not knowing where to find important information, who to turn to for help, or even how to connect with your team. Not ideal, right?

When different departments, like learning and development, HR, and IT work in silos, employees can end up with a fragmented onboarding experience. Instead, onboarding should seamlessly combine learning, performance, and connection. For instance, having a system where a new hire’s learning modules are synced with their performance goals and opportunities for collaboration with their team would be a game-changer.

Totara Talent Experience Platform (TXP) is one tool that makes this possible. It helps organizations integrate learning, employee engagement, and performance management into one cohesive process. Learn more about Totara’s Talent Experience Platform here.

Learning: Beyond Just Courses

The heart of any good onboarding program is learning—but not just any learning. The days of endless PowerPoint slides or basic training videos are over. Today’s new hires crave interactive and personalized learning experiences that reflect the actual work they’ll be doing.

A solid learning management system (LMS) like Totara can help you set up adaptive learning paths, mandatory training, and certifications for new employees. But don’t stop at formal courses. People learn best by doing, and this is especially true for remote workers who miss the opportunity to naturally pick up knowledge from colleagues. You need to create spaces—like knowledge-sharing networks—where new hires can ask questions, share experiences, and learn in real-time.

Learn more about building an engaging learning experience with Totara here.

Connection: A Critical Piece in the Onboarding Puzzle

A remote worker might go weeks, or even months, without physically meeting their colleagues, so building connections becomes even more critical. You can’t expect new hires to thrive without a sense of belonging and support.

In a remote or hybrid environment, connections are formed through technology—chat tools, video conferencing, and collaborative platforms. But relying on these tools isn’t enough; you need to ensure they are used effectively. One way to do this is by using digital workspaces like Totara Engage, where employees can easily collaborate, ask questions, and work together on projects. A good workspace provides not just collaboration but also helps employees orient themselves with resources like org charts, company policies, and key contacts.

Personalization: Make It Matter to Them

Not every new hire is the same, so their onboarding experience shouldn’t be either. When you tailor the onboarding process to fit the specific needs of the role or individual, you not only make the experience more engaging, but you set your new employees up for success.

Totara’s platform allows you to create dynamic audiences, ensuring each employee gets the information they need when they need it. Whether it’s specific training, key company goals, or department-specific resources, a personalized onboarding experience helps employees feel valued and ensures they’re not overwhelmed with irrelevant information.

Psychological Safety: Don’t Overlook It

Let’s not forget one of the most important aspects of onboarding: psychological safety. Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re remote and can’t easily turn to a colleague for help. Employees need to feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and learning as they go. Creating an environment of psychological safety from day one encourages open communication and fosters a culture of trust.

A simple way to build psychological safety is by pairing new hires with a mentor or “buddy” to guide them through the first few weeks. Regular check-ins and informal conversations can also go a long way in helping them feel supported.

In Conclusion

The shift to remote and hybrid work means that onboarding processes must evolve. By focusing on learning, performance, connection, and personalizing the experience, companies can create an onboarding program that not only welcomes new hires but sets them up for long-term success. And don’t forget the importance of psychological safety—helping your new employees feel safe to learn and grow in their new roles.

By integrating platforms like Totara TXP into your onboarding strategy, you can offer a unified, streamlined, and personalized experience that makes new employees feel like a part of the team from day one.

Check out how Totara can help transform your onboarding process here.

How to Increase Learner Engagement with Totara Engage

Unlock the Power of Totara Engage to Boost Learner Engagement

If you’re looking to take your learning programs to the next level and supercharge employee engagement, look no further than Totara Engage. Whether you’re a business using it alongside Totara Learn or as a standalone product, Totara Engage helps your organization shift from passive learning to active, collaborative knowledge-sharing. In this guide, we’ll explore how to get started with Totara Engage and maximize its potential in your organization.

Why Choose Totara Engage?

Totara Engage goes beyond traditional training approaches by integrating both formal and informal learning, fostering collaboration, and allowing employees to create and curate their own learning materials. With its rich integration with Microsoft Teams, users can effortlessly collaborate and share resources. But here’s the kicker – Totara Engage enables users to move from simple consumers of learning content to creators and collaborators.

By creating a more engaged and empowered workforce, organizations can significantly improve productivity and employee satisfaction. It can help you tackle challenges such as onboarding, performance support, and employee engagement with innovative solutions like collaborative workspaces, curated learning playlists, and rich social learning features. 

Getting Started with Totara Engage

To ensure a smooth rollout, it’s important to have a plan. Here’s a quick start guide for implementing Totara Engage in your workplace:

1. Seed Content
Before launching the platform, create and upload sample content. It can be as simple as a guide on how to use the system, a playlist of internal resources (such as templates), or even internal news updates to get everyone familiar with the platform’s potential.

2. Set Up Collaborative Workspaces
Totara Engage shines in its ability to bring teams together. Create dedicated workspaces for your departments – like marketing or sales – where employees can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and offer feedback in real-time. If you’re looking for inspiration, this guide shows how workspaces can make project coordination seamless.

3. Curate Learning Playlists
A powerful feature of Totara Engage is its ability to curate learning playlists. These playlists can be filled with articles, videos, and podcasts to suit a variety of learning styles. For example, a playlist on leadership development might include TED Talks, blog articles, and internal training videos. The best part? Playlists are flexible and can be tailored to any topic or project.

4. Recruit Learning Ambassadors
Identifying enthusiastic early adopters is a smart move. These individuals can act as learning ambassadors, creating and curating content that will drive platform adoption. Reward them to maintain momentum – perhaps through gamification or public recognition within the platform itself.

5. Soft Launch
Start with a soft launch before going live across the organization. This allows team leads and early adopters to populate the platform with meaningful content. You’ll also be able to troubleshoot any issues before opening it up to everyone.

Maximizing the Potential of Totara Engage

With the platform in place, it’s important to continuously promote and enhance engagement. Here are some ways to get the most out of Totara Engage:

1.  Learner Engagement Reports
Keep track of which content resonates the most with users through learner engagement reports. Identify top-performing resources, highlight active contributors, and pinpoint any areas where engagement is lagging. Check out how data-driven insights can transform learning experiences.

2. Integrations for Seamless Learning
One of the standout features of Totara Engage is its integration with Microsoft Teams. Users can access content, collaborate, and share knowledge without switching platforms, creating a seamless learning experience. Whether it’s creating a playlist or launching a survey, everything happens within the flow of work.

3. Gamification and Recognition
To keep users coming back, build in opportunities for reward and recognition. Employees can rate and comment on shared resources, turning learning into a social and engaging activity. Consider running a monthly competition for the most highly-rated content or recognizing top contributors during company meetings.

Wrap-up

Totara Engage is a game-changer for organizations that want to increase learner engagement and foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. By taking advantage of its collaborative workspaces, curated playlists, and seamless integrations, you can transform your learning environment into one that’s dynamic and future-ready.

Ready to take the leap? Discover how Totara Engage can revolutionize your training programs with a free demo.