Published On: October 8, 2019By
Free collection of authoritative resources for learning systems decision makers: "The Extended Enterprise LMS Buying Companion"

If you’re familiar with Talented Learning, you know we’re fiercely independent consultants focused on one goal – to help extended enterprise LMS buyers find the best solution for their needs. To find out how, read on…

The Extended Enterprise LMS Buyers’ Worldview

What exactly do we mean by the term “extended enterprise”? Think of learning programs that reach beyond employees. For instance, in the corporate world, that could include customers, prospects, channel partners, franchisees, contractors, suppliers and perhaps employees, too.

Extended enterprise LMS solutions serve external audiences as well as employees

EXTENDED ENTERPRISE LMS AUDIENCES

However, serving diverse audiences can be tricky. And with more than 1000 enterprise-class learning systems available, finding the right solution is more challenging than ever.

When faced with so much complexity, how can you choose a solution with confidence?

Recently, we helped association leaders answer that question with a special “LMS Buyers Companion” post, filled with free resources for continuing education providers. Its popularity spread like wildfire.

So now we’re publishing a similar guide just for corporate learning decision makers. We invite you to bookmark this page as a handy virtual reference. But if you need direct guidance at any point, feel free to contact me to request a preliminary phone consultation at your convenience.

Inside the “Extended Enterprise LMS Buyers Companion”

This free collection of LMS selection resources includes:

  • PODCASTS – “Hot topic” interviews with business-minded learning practitioners and innovators on The Talented Learning Show
  • BLOG POSTS – Independent advice, straight from our analysts and other experts
  • WEBINARS – In-depth sessions focused on key extended enterprise LMS issues and related business strategies
  • WHITEPAPERS – Relevant insights you can download and read anytime
  • AWARDS – Our choices for this year’s Top Extended Enterprise Learning Systems – including our rationale for each selection

 


PODCASTS

Read highlights and listen to complete 30-minute interviews from The Talented Learning Show:

1) Why is customer education gaining momentum?
Customer Education 101 – With Dave Derington of Outreach

2) How do channel education networks drive revenue?
Extended Channel Training – With Doug Gastich of BlueVolt

3) How does a modern LMS support franchise success?
The Inside Scoop on Global Franchise Training – With Chris Shanks of Dairy Queen

4) How can training providers share online content more broadly?
Extending Learning Content Availability – With Troy Gorostiza of Course Container

5) Why pick open source as an extended enterprise learning foundation?
Open Source LMS Advantages – With Lars Hyland of Totara

6) How do subscription businesses help customers succeed?
SaaS Customer Success – With Samma Hafeez of Thought Industries

7) How do brands drive training engagement among franchisees?
Franchise Training Adoption – With Trista Kimber of Hooters

8) How is xAPI transforming enterprise learning analytics?
Business Benefits of xAPI – With Mike Rustici of Watershed

 


BLOG ARTICLES

Independent advice from our analysts and expert guest authors:

1) Top learning systems trends: 2019 extended enterprise market guide
Which technology and business factors are shaping the extended enterprise LMS market? Check key issues and opportunities…

2) Starting a customer education program: The inside story
What does effective customer training look like? Prepare for success with advice from customer education expert Adam Avramescu of Slack…

3) How do you find an LMS that nails extended enterprise learning?
What’s the best way to select a learning system that truly fits your extended enterprise needs? Walk through a real-world scenario…

4) What to expect in a partner-focused LMS
What features should you look for in a channel learning system? Here’s what you need to run a successful sales partner training program…

5) Marketing never ends: How does product education help?
Converting leads to customers is only part of the modern marketing mission. Product education is also key. Intercom’s customer engagement leader explains why…

6) Should you use an employee LMS for extended enterprise learning in 2019 and beyond?
The top question we hear as LMS selection consultants: “Should we use our employee LMS for external learning programs?” Here’s how we respond…

7) Customer engagement metrics: What marketers can teach learning pros
What kind of business impact should you expect from customer engagement? Marketing consultant Laura Patterson outlines 3 key success metrics…

8) What’s the smartest path to the right LMS? Ask a learning tech analyst
What should you consider when determining your extended enterprise LMS needs? This Q&A addresses common questions…

9) Extended enterprise learning systems shift into high gear
Why are extended enterprise learning systems gaining ground so quickly? These factors are driving demand…

10) Is your business data worth keeping?
Business data is vital. But are you collecting too much data for your own good? Digital transformation consultant Daniel Newman weighs in…

11) Should you use an RFP when choosing an LMS?
Requests for proposal are highly controversial. Some love them. Others hate them. But here’s why you’ll probably want to use an RFP the next time you select a learning system…

12) Define your LMS requirements like a pro
Learn how to outline your needs so you’ll find the best solution at the best price…

 


WEBINARS

Register for any one of these free sessions, and you’ll gain access to our entire library of webinars and other resources at The Talented Learning Center!

1) How does partner education lift business performance for all?
Roundtable with Gary Brashear, VP Marketing, BlueVolt
Laura Pierce, Marketing Communications Director at Shurtape Technologies

2) How does product training accelerate customer time-to-value?
Featuring Samma Hafeez, VP of Customer Success, Thought Industries

3) What steps lead to extended enterprise LMS success?
Join me one-on-one for this special how-to session

4) How can you drive learning in hard-to-reach places?
Roundtable with Bill Mastin, EVP of Sales & Alliances, PeopleFluent
Carrie Hancock, Director of Sales, PeopleFluent
Ross Coxon, Director of Learning Collaborative, Humentum

5) What’s the anatomy of a high-impact learning experience?
Roundtable with Paul Morton, Regional Director, CrossKnowledge
Anja Emonds, Research Manager, CrossKnowledge Academy

6) How does extended enterprise training drive growth?
Roundtable with Lars Hyland, CLO, Totara Learning
Charles Ackerman, Sr. Solutions Strategist, Remote-Learner
Darren LaRue, Product Training Specialist, JLG Industries

7) What techniques engage external audiences in learning?
Featuring Kevin Hanegan, CLO at Qlik

 


WHITEPAPERS

Download insights from our analysts – free when you register at the Talented Learning Center:

1) Connecting Training to Franchise Success

2) Visualizing Learning Impact: How Can Analytics Connect the Dots?

 


AWARDS

Which corporate extended enterprise learning systems stand out from the rest? Learn about our 27 choices for 2019 and why we recommend them. For the full story, see our awards analysis: Talented Learning LMS Awards – Corporate Extended Enterprise Systems

WINNERS 2019

BlueVolt
Community Brands Crowd Wisdom
Cornerstone OnDemand
CrossKnowledge
Docebo
eLogic Learning
Learndot by ServiceRocket
LearnUpon
NetExam
Northpass
OnPoint Digital
SAP Litmos
Skilljar
Thought Industries
Totara

FINALISTS 2019

Absorb
Accord LMS
Degreed
EdCast
LogicBay
MATRIX LMS
PeopleFluent NetDimensions
Saba
Schoox
TalentLMS
Together JAZZ by Skylab Italia
UpsideLMS

 



Looking for LMS Selection Guidance?

Get advice that enterprise learning systems buyers trust. Schedule a free 30-minute consult with me, Talented Learning Lead Analyst, John Leh…


*NOTE TO SALESPEOPLE: Want to sell us something? Please contact us via standard channels. Thanks!

Share This Post

About the Author: John Leh

John Leh is Founder, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning. He is a fiercely independent consultant, blogger, podcaster, speaker and educator who helps organizations select and implement learning technology strategies, primarily for extended enterprise applications. His advice is based upon 25+ years of learning industry experience, serving as a trusted LMS selection and sales adviser to hundreds of organizations with a total technology spend of $100+ million and growing. John is active on social media and is happy to connect with you on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn.

Related Posts

  • How does customer training fuel customer success? Lead Analyst John Leh talks with two customer success experts

Customer Success: Where Does Training Fit In?

April 9, 2021|

Customer success is rapidly becoming a standard practice for businesses everywhere - especially for companies that want to gain a competitive advantage in volatile markets like software and technology.

  • How can training providers gain learning systems agility? Learn how to choose a future-ready LMS by reading about how JLG Industries has achieved this goal

Learning Systems Agility, Up Close and Up In the Air

March 11, 2021|

Learning systems agility isn't just about technology; it's about flexibility and speed across the board – including your business model, content strategy and operational workflows, as well as your learning ecosystem.

  • LMS planning and digital transformation - How can you future-proof your learning ecosystem? Independent learning tech analyst John Leh explains

LMS Planning: Is Your Learning Ecosystem Future-Proof?

March 4, 2021|

Decision-makers are under intense pressure to modernize their systems, so they can create, promote, deliver, measure and expand digital offerings as rapidly as possible. As a result, learning technology ecosystems are facing extraordinary scrutiny.

  • LMS sales pros - are you in a rut? Learn how to detect a problem and what you can do to escape and improve your win rate

LMS Sales Pros: Are You In a Rut? Try These Tips

February 16, 2021|

If the buyer hasn't shared enough of the right information to help you craft a compelling, coherent, complete - and differentiating - proposal, it's your responsibility to ask for more input, but be prepared to explain why this is critical and why they should care.

  • learning measurement - expert tips for measuring the business impact of training

Learning Measurement: Top Tips From Industry Experts

February 11, 2021|

Of course, there are countless ways to skin the learning measurement cat; below are bits of wisdom worth taking with you, no matter what tools or techniques you use when tracking, evaluating and improving results.

  • continuing education LMS

Which Continuing Education LMS Would You Choose?

February 4, 2021|

To add insult to injury, although the CE Buyer is a large organization, the level of support provided by the LMS vendor was minimal-to-non-existent, and vendor executives were nowhere to be found.

  • What's the most costly and common LMS selection mistake? Extended enterprise learning systems analyst John Leh explains

What Costly LMS Selection Mistake Should You Avoid?

January 19, 2021|

First, recognize that hundreds of systems are designed to support training, but many are unlikely to meet your organization's specific needs and budget, which means that your job is to zero-in quickly on the handful of systems that actually deserve your consideration.

STAY IN THE KNOW: GET OUR WEEKLY EMAIL UPDATE!

Office Hours for LMS Buyers - Free Webinar Series for 2026 with Learning tech analyst, John Leh
Free LMS Consult with John Leh
Customer LMS Buyers Guide 3
2025 Talented Learning Award Winners - Best LMSs

BLOG CATEGORIES

LMS Recommendation Service
Talented Learning Learning Systems Directory

CASE STUDY DIRECTORY

Talented Learning Case Study Directory
Submit LMS RFP Consult