This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.
Companies are always looking for effective and efficient ways to conduct training. We all know training is important and essential for growth. For many companies, it’s about finding the right programs at the right price and being able to deliver them without completely disrupting the operation.
Technology has helped to change the way we view training. What, in the past, could only be delivered in a classroom has moved online. And now with more people using smartphones, companies can take advantage of mobile training options.
Here are a few possibilities in the mobile learning app area to consider.
1. Learning To-Go by INTERSOG
INTERSOG offers a wide variety of apps including Pocket MBA, Pocket CFO, Pocket Manager, Full Business Learning Course, Full Finance Business Course, and Dictionaries of Business Terms. Courses include a course book, flashcards and tests.
Cost: Ranges from free to $9.99
2. Sandler Training
Sandler offers sales and sales management training via its mobile app. The product can stand alone or be used as a supplement to its training system. A free app is also available with limited content.
Cost: $4.99
3. Skill-Pill
If you’re in the market for something that can be customized, Skill-Pill (a free app with paid content) provides two-minute videos (called “pills”) on a broad spectrum of business topics (100+ topics available). The “pills” are designed to reinforce concepts that a person already knows. Companies can create customized content, use generic content that is already available or a combination.
Cost: Free app, paid content
4. Lynda.com
Some mobile learning apps provide a portal to their existing content libraries. For example, Lynda.com offers an online training library in 3D, audio, video, photography, graphic design, web and interactive design, business and development. It is a subscription-based service with monthly and annual options. The app is free and allows users to access the online content from their subscription.
Cost: Free, but you must have a Lynda.com subscription
5. CellCast Widget
Another app that provides a portal to online content is CellCast Widget. The app integrates access to the Onpoint Digital mobile library, which contains hundreds of topics such as change and innovation, sales and marketing, leadership and management.
Cost: Free
6. Busuu
If you’re looking for language training, the busuu language community offers free online courses in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Russian. The free version has 20 complete learning units and additional paid content is available. The app also provides opportunities to practice in their online community. The busuu Language Apps cover vocabulary, key phrases and everyday topics from the beginner level to advanced.
Cost: Free
7. Curatr
Want to use your own content? No problem. Curatr is an online learning platform that transforms your e-learning into a social game. An enterprise edition is available for a fee.
Cost: Free (basic edition)
8. Cisco WebEx Meeting Center
Many people already enjoy the learning options available via WebEx meetings. Don’t forget you can bring those features to your iPhone using the Cisco WebEx Meeting Center.
Cost: Free
