Online learning 'crucial for gaining new talent'

Online computer systems such as e-learning are a significant factor in the success of businesses looking to recruit new talent.

This is according to one expert who has suggested that high-performance software systems that are flexible and easy to use could help small to medium-sized enterprises get ahead of the curve and better their everyday business practices.

Neil Richards, European mainframe director at Compuware, a provider of software and best practices focused on optimising IT application performance for companies, said that technology is fast becoming the most important factor in company operations and that those businesses  that are looking to get ahead of their competitors could  turn to online facilities.

He explained that the first step to improving business efficiency is to analyse where the problem lies and quantify what could be improved.

"Once you've quantified the problem there are only two answers - for those people staying in my business, how can I make them more productive? How can I increase the productivity of my existing mainframe today?," he mentioned.

Mr Richards added that secondly, gaps in the business must be filled through recruiting new talent.

He suggested: "Technology is the answer to both those things."

Online learning platforms should be used to train new staff in a quick, flexible and easy-to-use manner, the expert continued.

Furthermore, Tom Kuhlmann, editor of the Rapid E-learning Blog, which offers advice, tips and guidance on the best online training programs, suggested that advanced IT technologies such as cloud computing will be a significant part of the advancement of business practices and learning schemes in the next year.

He predicted that online tools for training programs will become easier to use and will grow to provide many more options to businesses on how to better their performance and recruitment schemes.

The expert also added that social media platforms could also become a driving factor behind the uptake of advanced learning technologies.