BlogLearning & Development

How to Revolutionize External Training in 7 Steps

Terri James
VP of Product
Learning & Development
February 27, 2024

Discover the 7 steps for effective external user training with Continu's LMS, enhancing engagement and strengthening business relationships.

See the future of learning in motion

Training external users is key. Partners, clients, and contractors need to know your product just like your team does. 

But it's not easy. Different needs, different places, different times.

That's where Continu steps in.

It's not just any LMS. It's your all-in-one solution for training everyone, everywhere.

With Continu, you make sure external users get the right training at the right time.

Let's break down how to make this happen with Continu.

Step 1: Identify Training Needs and Objectives

First things first. What do your external users need to learn? Don't guess. Know. 

Continu's Assessments & Quizzes make this easy.

Shoot a quick quiz their way. Find out where the training gaps are.

Create assessments and quizzes to determine training objectives and identify knowledge gaps.

This step is crucial. It shapes your whole training plan.

With Continu, you get clear data on what your partners, clients, or contractors need to know.

Now you're ready to build an training program for enterprise learners that hits the mark.

Partner Training That Works!

Consolidate partner training initiatives with a modern learning platform.
Learn More

Step 2: Create Engaging and Relevant Content

Now, let's talk content. It's got to grab attention. It's got to stick.

That's where Learning Tracks come into play.

Build content that speaks directly to your external users.

What's their role? How do they interact with your company? Answer these, and you're golden.

Easily compile training modules together into engaging learning tracks in Continu.

Continu's Learning Tracks let you organize this content just right. It's not just about dumping information. It's about creating a journey that educates, engages, and resonates.

With the right content in place, you're not just training; you're empowering.

Step 3: Personalize the Learning Experience

A personal touch matters. Everyone learns differently.

That's where Smart Segmentation™ shines.

Continu's Smart Segmentation feature allows course creators to personalize learning.

Tailor the learning journey. Role, industry, expertise—Continu lets you customize paths for each.

Segment content by industry, user, location, and more...

It's about delivering the right content to people outside the company.

This isn't one-size-fits-all. It's about making every external user feel seen. With Smart Segmentation™, your training hits closer to home.

Step 4: Make Training Accessible Anytime

Accessibility is key. Your external users could be anywhere, across the globe. Different countries and timezones.

They need training that fits their schedule, not the other way around.

Remote self-directed learning is the answer. With Continu, training isn't tied to a desk. It's on any device, any time. Flexibility at its best.

This means your partners or clients can dive into training when it suits them. Early bird or night owl, Continu's there.

Step 5: Facilitate Easy Access and Onboarding

Let's talk access. Easy in, no hassle. That's crucial, especially for external users.

Single Sign-On (SSO) makes it happen.

Enable single sign on (SSO) for external users in Continu

With SSO, one set of credentials opens the door to Continu. No juggling logins. No forgotten passwords. Just smooth sailing from the start.

This simplicity is a game-changer for onboarding. It means external users get to the good stuff faster—learning about your products and services.

Step 6: Engage and Motivate Learners

Engagement is everything. How do you keep external users hooked? 

By incorporating gamification into training. Enter Badges.

Create badges to award learners after completing assignments.

Badges aren't just fun; they're milestones. They celebrate progress, achievement, and effort.

With Continu, you can sprinkle these motivational gems throughout your training.

Learners can view all of their collected badges within their dashboard.

This gamification sparks a bit of healthy competition and pride. It turns learning into a journey worth bragging about.

Step 7: Track Progress and Measure Effectiveness

Last but not least, it’s time to start tracking training performance. Seeing is believing. 

With Real-Time Tracking & Custom Reporting, Continu gives you eyes on everything.

Track every click, completion, and quiz. See who's excelling and who might need a nudge. It's data that drives decisions.

Track learner progress in real time with Continu.

This isn't just about ticking boxes. It's about understanding impact. Are your external users really getting what they need? Continu's analytics tell the story.

Conclusion

Training external users just got a whole lot easier. With Continu, you've got the tools to identify needs, create compelling content, personalize learning, and ensure it's accessible anytime, anywhere. 

From easy onboarding with SSO to engaging learners with badges and tracking their progress with real-time analytics, Continu covers all bases.

But it's more than just a list of features. It's about making sure everyone connected to your brand—from partners to clients—is as informed and skilled as your internal team. 

Continu isn't just expanding your training reach; it's elevating your entire brand experience.

Ready to take your external training to the next level? Dive deeper into what Continu offers. It's time to transform how you train, engage, and empower every user representing your brand.

Schedule a Demo Today

See Continu in action and how it can help your organization build a culture of learning.
Get Demo
Schedule a Demo Today
About the Author
Terri James, VP of Product at Continu
Terri James
VP of Product

Terri is the VP of Product at Continu, a modern Learning Management System built to help companies train employees, customers and partners using one platform. For over a decade, Terri has led Continu as a product and is passionate about helping companies build a culture of learning.

Take the first step toward training that isn’t tedious
Request a demo