Using collaboration tools to improve training

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to examine how collaboration services can benefit the training process, to the benefit of both the individual and broader organisation. In the past, conferencing tools were viewed almost exclusively in terms of the financial benefits they delivered to the business, yet increasingly businesses recognise their value in enabling staff, irrespective of their location, to access the company's invaluable knowledge base. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores how sophisticated online collaboration solutions complement face‐to‐face training and follow‐up coaching and support by replicating much of its physical functionality and two‐way communication capability. Findings – In achieving this, it shows how collaboration has moved on from its traditional focus on one‐to‐many to providing one‐to‐one unified communication through the use of tools such as chat and feedback mechanisms including e‐quizzes, votes and surveys. Availability is one thing, usage is another however and here, if they are to encourage maximum participation and usage in a training context, such tools must be easy to deploy, easy to use and offer ubiquitous access. Originality/value – The value of this approach is to show how, from a training perspective, the latest collaboration services offer a uniquely broad and cost‐effective mechanism in getting beyond traditional geographical, cultural and technological barriers to share work‐related skills, techniques and product knowledge.