The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development completed a learning and development survey in 2008. It found that half of the organizations surveyed believe less than 25 percent of employees use the eLearning opportunities offered to them. In the same survey, 95 percent of respondents believe that eLearning is most effective when combined with other forms of learning, such as eCoaching and face-to-face discussion.

Effective eLearning is about improving the performance of both the individual and the organization. Different from eLearning, coaching is high-level professional development. It is ongoing and a powerful method for assisting someone to improve professional practice. It is embedded in the workplace and ties directly into what is happening in the company and industry.

But proper integration of coaching into corporate learning involves time, commitment, and some financial investment. With time and budgets stretched thin and the expansion of many organizations across borders, eCoaching is booming. Here are just a few reasons why:

• eCoaching is real-time access to someone who can advise, motivate, and assist – someone with specific experience and can relate deeply with the professional being coached. The coach knows his or her limitations, and also has significant strengths.
  
  
• A coach has the outside perspective and experience to see what the professional may not be able to see, time to anticipate needs, and insight for a larger picture.
  
  
• A great coach also helps individuals and teams work together and is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of team members and how they complement each other.
  
  
• eCoaching can also be very effectively used when there are long distances between those who need to be working together on a project. For example, a business with headquarters in London could use eCoaching for training and mentoring all new employees – globally. Whereas in the past, new employees may have had to travel far distances in order to meet and complete required trainings or orientations. Now they can work online with the guidance of an eCoach.
  
  
• This is one of the major benefits of this training medium, so don't simply put a manual online. Taking an interactive approach is a great way for the user to check their understanding.
  
  

Create a learning portal that creates a gateway not only to eLearning but also to other valuable resources, such as discussion groups, eCoaching, and relevant research for the best overall professional development program. You can include a diagnostic element allowing users to identify their learning needs, create a learning pathway, and map progress. In essence, you create a program that promotes a learning culture in your organization.

Tips/Technology
If your learning portal uses Web 2.0 technology you can benefit from social learning approaches and other new media such as podcasts, weblogs, chat, tagging, social bookmarking etc., these technologies can be used to support and enhance the learning experience.

Remember to address technical issues at the outset. Access to your learning portals should be easily accessed by every member of your organization. Make sure they work on the lowest spec. computer in your organization.

Find out more
For additional information on the eCoaching industry, including useful links and upcoming events and conferences, return to the Global Communicator.

Sources:
International Coaching Federation