It was a battle that lasted months… Presentations, exhausting business cases, PowerPoints that would make even the most seasoned manager cry. But you did it! You convinced management to invest in the long-awaited Learning Management System (LMS). The system arrived, got installed, shines with innovation… and in the end, nobody uses it!
When “Field of Dreams” Doesn’t Apply to the LMS
“Build it, and they will come,” said Kevin Costner in the famous movie. Only problem is, employees apparently never saw that movie, because your LMS looks emptier than an Athenian street on August 15th.
The truth is, neuroscience tells us that the brain loves rewards and avoids effort. Meaning, if you haven’t made the LMS more attractive than TikTok, the chances someone logs in to learn something are about the same as choosing broccoli over chocolate.
How to Save the Situation Before You Become a Case Study for Failure to Launch
1 Make it Personal (Not Like a Call Center)
The brain learns better when content connects to something it already knows and considers useful. If courses are generic and vague (“Leadership Skills 101” – yawn), no one will care. Provide personalized recommendations based on each employee’s role and needs.
2 Add Dopamine Hits (Gamification, Baby!)
You don’t need to become Blizzard, but a little challenge never hurt anyone. Badges, points, leaderboard – anything that can make learning more addictive than a mobile game.
3 Don’t Wait for Them – Go to Them
If your LMS is like a quiet bookstore in a forgotten neighborhood, no one will show up. Bring the courses where the employees are: SMS, Slack, email, even memes. Yes, memes. A “When your boss tells you to take the cybersecurity training” with a dramatic puppy can do more than any HR announcement.
4 Give Something Immediate, Not Only “Heavy” Learning
The brain loves small, quick doses of knowledge. If your LMS is full of 3-hour courses, forget it. Do microlearning: 5–10 minutes, something practical, and voilà – less whining, more learning.
5 Who Doesn’t Want a Little Chaos? Make FOMO Your Ally
Instead of breaking your head over why employees aren’t logging in, make them feel like they’re missing out. Announcements like “90% of staff already completed this course – you?” trigger social pressure. Yes, it’s a little sneaky! Yes, it works!
The End… Or Maybe Just the Beginning
If you think the LMS is just a system, you’re wrong. It’s a behavior-change journey. And like any good journey, it needs good guides, some fun, and maybe… a little drama.
So, are you ready to reboot your learning strategy? Or will you stay home alone in the LMS?
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