Wondering how to create employee training programs in Microsoft that your team will actually enjoy? (Okay, maybe “enjoy” is a stretch, but at least they won’t be falling asleep through them.) Well, you’re in luck, because your trusted Microsoft 365 suite isn’t just for spreadsheets and emails anymore. It can also do wonders for employee training! But first, let’s talk about why employee training is so important. After all, it’s the best way to give your team a boost and help them level up their skills, stay engaged, and become a powerhouse of productivity.

In today’s constantly evolving world of work—where 6 in 10 employees with remote-capable jobs want a hybrid work arrangement and one-third prefer fully remote work—having a flexible and accessible training program is more important than ever. And let’s be honest, traditional training methods can be a bit of a snooze-fest. You know, those endless PowerPoint presentations, dusty old manuals, lectures that seem to drag on forever? Yeah, not exactly the most exciting way to spend your day.

But with the right tools and a little creativity, you can build training programs that are engaging, effective, and dare we say, even enjoyable. And the best part? You can do it all within your existing Microsoft 365 environment. That’s right, the tools you use every day for emails, spreadsheets, and meetings can also be used to build employee training in Microsoft that’ll make your team say, “Wow, I actually learned something!”

Here, we’ll explore the tools, strategies, and best practices that’ll help you create a training program that’s as fun as it is functional.

Microsoft LMS

Building employee training courses in Microsoft 365: your toolkit awaits

Microsoft 365 offers a treasure chest full of tools that can transform your training program from “blah” to “brilliant.” Consider it your one-stop shop for creating, delivering, and managing more engaging training experiences. Here’s a quick rundown of the all-star lineup:

  • Microsoft Teams: Your training command center! In Teams, you can create dedicated channels for different courses, share relevant materials, and spark lively discussions. It’s basically like a virtual classroom where everyone can collaborate and learn together.

  • Microsoft Word & PowerPoint: The dynamic duo for creating killer content. Craft interactive training manuals, design eye-catching presentations, and keep your team engaged with multimedia elements. These are tools your people already use every day, so there’s no learning curve to slow them down.

  • Microsoft Stream: Create and share motivating video content, like tutorials and expert lectures, to bring your training to life. And with seamless integration into your LMS, accessing these videos is as easy as pie. Lights, camera, action!

  • Microsoft OneNote: The ultimate training notebook. Keep all your materials organized, share notes and assignments, and encourage collaboration in a central digital space. Think of it as sharing a brain.

Great, right? But there is a catch: simply having these tools isn’t enough. To truly improve learning management in your business, you need to know how to use these tools constructively. Chiefly, when looking to build training that captivates your team and drives results. That’s where a little creativity, some strategic thinking, and a sprinkle of AI magic enters the chat.

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Best practices for building employee training courses in Microsoft 365

Now that you’ve got your toolkit handy, let’s dive into our best practices. Here’s how you can leverage these Microsoft 365 tools to build a training program. Specifically, one that’s not only informative but also refreshing, interactive, and tailored to your team’s needs.

Use an LMS to integrate and manage your training content

Don’t let your training program become a chaotic mess of files and folders scattered across different platforms. A Learning Management System (LMS) like Learn365 brings order to the chaos. It seamlessly integrating with Microsoft tools and making it easy to manage, track, and report on your team’s progress. Plus, with AI, you can create courses and quizzes faster than it takes for your coffee to kick in.

Create interactive and engaging content

Who says training has to be boring? (Not us!) Spice things up a bit with multimedia elements, interactive quizzes, and gamified challenges. According to an Engageli study, interactive learning can improve knowledge retention by up to 54% compared to traditional lecture methods. Learn365 makes it easy to create engaging content that’ll keep your team hooked.

Align training with business goals

Make sure your training program isn’t just a random collection of courses that gets lost in translation. Align it with your organization’s broader objectives and your employees’ development needs. Learn365 and Microsoft Teams analytics provide valuable data-driven insights. Furthermore, helping you continuously improve your training programs and ensure they’re hitting the mark.

For instance, if your company is focused on improving customer satisfaction, your training program should include courses on communication skills, conflict resolution, and product knowledge. By aligning your training with your business goals, you ensure that your team is equipped with the skills. Plus they’ll havethe know-how they need to contribute to the company’s overall success.

Leverage AI for course creation and assessments

Let’s be real, creating training content can be a time-suck. But with Learn365’s AI-powered features, you can generate tailored courses and quizzes in a snap. The AI can even identify skill gaps and recommend additional training, so your team is always at the top of their game. A recent McKinsey report finds organizations that use AI can experience productivity gains of up to 40%. That’s nothing to sneeze at!

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: training doesn’t have to be boring. By leveraging the tools you already use, you can turn your Microsoft 365 environment into a fun learning space where employees can grow, develop, and be their best.

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Microsoft’s role in enhancing the employee training experience

Integrating Microsoft 365 tools into your LMS experience is like adding sprinkles to a cupcake— sure, you could do fine without them, but sprinkles just make everything better! Here’s the pivotal role Microsoft plays in elevating the overall experience and adding immense value to the training process:

  • Seamless user experience: Learn365’s integration with Microsoft 365 creates a smooth and user-friendly experience. Research shows that software adoption rates can increase by up to 200% when user experience is prioritized early in the development process. Single sign-on (SSO) and automatic synchronization with Microsoft Azure Active Directory make it easy for your team to access training and for you to manage users. No more platform hopping or password fatigue.

  • Streamlined assessment and feedback: Forms and other tools can be integrated into the LMS to facilitate online assessments, quizzes, and surveys so trainers can track progress and offer timely feedback.

  • Personalized learning journeys: Microsoft 365 tools can be used to develop personalized learning pathways and appeal to individual employee needs and preferences. For example, new hires can find out about upcoming onboarding sessions right in Teams, chat with a bot that answers all their training-related questions, or receive tailored course recommendations based on their interests and goals.

  • Enhanced collaboration: Tools like Teams and SharePoint become your virtual training playground, where your team can collaborate on materials, share ideas and interactive content, and learn from each other. Learning is more fun when you do it together, and using Teams for it is like throwing a brainstorming party (pizza optional).

  • Data-driven insights: Don’t just guess if your training is working. Learn365’s integration with Microsoft’s analytics tools gives you the comprehensive data you need to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make sure your training is hitting all the right notes.

    For instance, you can keep tabs on course completion rates, assessment scores, and even employee engagement levels. This priceless data can help you figure out which training programs are most effective. As well as which ones need some tinkering, and how you can customize your training to better serve the needs of your team.

  • Increased accessibility and flexibility: According to HR Dive, nearly 9 in 10 workers want their training to be available anytime and anywhere they need it to do their job. What’s more, 85% say they want to be able to choose training times that fit their schedule. Cloud-based access to Microsoft 365 tools allows employees to access training materials and resources whenever, wherever, on any device, giving them much greater flexibility and convenience.
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Ready to take your employee training up a notch?

Microsoft 365 is more than your everyday productivity suite; it’s a secret weapon for creating employee training programs that are engaging, effective, and fun. Especially when you add Learn365 to the mix.

As a Microsoft Preferred Solution and Microsoft 365 Certified app, Learn365 helps you transform your team into a league of learning champions, all while getting the most out of your Microsoft environment. A more skilled and productive workforce is at your fingertips. And who wouldn’t want that?

Deloitte research finds that organizations with a strong learning culture are 92% more likely to innovate and 58% more likely to be prepared for future growth. This proves the powerful impact that a good employee training strategy can have on the success of your business. So, don’t let your training program be the weak link in your company’s success chain. It’s time to enjoy the many benefits of integrating your training and LMS into Microsoft 365.

Stop wasting your Microsoft 365 investment—upgrade your LMS today!

Are you fully leveraging your Microsoft 365 investment for learning and development? If you’re still relying on disconnected training systems, you’re missing out on a seamless, cost-effective way to upskill employees and drive engagement.

A Microsoft 365-integrated LMS brings learning directly into the tools your teams already use—boosting productivity, streamlining compliance, and ensuring measurable ROI.

Our free eBook, “The Future of LMS with Microsoft 365,” breaks down exactly how to transform L&D in your organization and get more out of your toolset. Download now and future-proof your learning strategy!