Published on: 10 May , 2023
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As a decision maker for a B2B SaaS business, you know how important it is to provide good training to your customers. But the traditional ways of training may not work well as customers tend to have different learning preferences and schedules.
That's where asynchronous learning comes in. It is becoming popular for SaaS businesses to train their customers because it's flexible and convenient.
Asynchronous learning, aka async learning, means you can learn at your own pace without needing to talk to a teacher. It's different from synchronous learning, where you and your peers have to be online or in the same place at the same time for classes with a teacher.
So, how does asynchronous learning work?
It usually involves pre-recorded lecture videos, online resources like articles and quizzes, and discussion forums where learners can interact with each other and ask questions.
The cool thing is that learners can access all of this material whenever they want, from wherever they are. They don't need to be online at the same time as a trainer or other learners.
Synchronous learning is where the customer and the instructor engage in real-time, online or offline.
In the modern context, this means that the instructor and the customer are online at the same time, and they communicate using tools for video, chat, or even phone.
Here are the key differences between sync and async learning:
Asynchronous learning benefits are popular for the following reasons:
Learners can access asynchronous courses from anywhere, anytime. For example, a SaaS business with customers in different time zones can offer this learning approach so that their customers can learn with ease.
As asynchronous learning doesn't require the customers to be available at any specific time, they can learn about your product at their convenience. They can easily adjust their learning around their work and personal schedules.
Asynchronous learning can be scaled to reach a large number of learners at once. This is because the materials are pre-recorded and don't require real-time interaction.
For example, a SaaS business that wants to offer education to a large number of customers can use asynchronous courses to reach everyone, regardless of their location or schedule.
Asynchronous learning can be a cost-efficient alternative to traditional in-person classes. It eliminates the need for travel and on-site instructors, resulting in low costs to operate.
The training material can be created and delivered online, making it more scalable and cost-effective for businesses of all sizes.
Some SaaS businesses have already successfully implemented asynchronous learning. Here are some examples of asynchronous learning,
HubSpot offers online courses for marketers and salespeople. These courses are all self-paced and can be accessed at any time. This has enabled HubSpot to reach a larger audience and provide a more flexible learning environment for customers.
In fact, businesses have started hiring people who are HubSpot certified. This has improved their brand authority and market presence.
Salesforce offers Trailhead, an online learning platform that is entirely asynchronous. Thus, learners can access courses and training whenever they want.
This has helped Salesforce scale its training courses and reach more customers than ever before. Consequently, there are a plethora of Salesforce-certified professionals, making it easier for Salesforce customers to utilize the platform.
Here are some common challenges of async learning:
Follow these best practices to ensure asynchronous learning is effective.
Asynchronous learning is a great way for customers to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. You can create effective asynchronous online learning programs by following the best practices stated above.
Trainn is a customer education platform you can use. Its customer education software lets you offer the best asynchronous online learning experience to your customers. Sign up today!