Efficient management of external training sales and internal training through a single system｜Satisfied with the generous support

Increased need for efficiency in both training sales and in-house training, and decision to move to e-learning

First, could you tell us about your business and your own roles?

We are a large insurance agency handling 20 life insurance companies and 10 non-life insurance companies. We have 19 offices nationwide and our head office is located in Hiroshima. We have approximately 130 employees, of which sales staff (hereafter referred to as "solicitors. The number of solicitors (solicitors: people who solicit and sell life and non-life insurance) is approximately 110. The solicitors use company-loaned personal computers to conduct sales activities on a door-to-door basis for both corporations and individuals.

I am in charge of various system-related tasks and am responsible for the operation of the learningBOX e-learning system, asset management system, and e-mail system. In the process, I also receive inquiries from solicitors about various settings and other matters.

What led to the need for an eLearning system? What challenges did you face prior to implementation?

We desperately needed an e-learning system to facilitate efficient training for both external sales and internal training.

In terms of training sales to external customers, we operate a certified training course for those who have passed the "AFP" (Affiliated Financial Planner) and its advanced qualification "CFP®" (Certified Financial Planner®), but after we were registered as an authorized education company of the Japan FP Association After registering as an authorized training company of the Japan FP Association, we were faced with the issue of how to implement the training courses.

The "AFP®" designation is given to financial planners (FP) who have acquired sufficient basic knowledge and skills to provide appropriate advice and suggestions to clients. The "CFP®" is an advanced qualification of the "AFP.

What challenges have you faced in training for internal use?

Under the "Continuing Education System", solicitors are required to complete training conducted by their insurance company or agency every year. （*1)

The company conducts monthly "continuing education" and "compliance training" sessions, and each site manager compiles and reports the completion of these sessions in a course book, which has become a major burden for the company.

There was a growing need to improve the efficiency of both external training sales and internal training, and we had discussed with management that it was time to move to e-learning, but it was taking time to put in place the necessary systems.

As a result, we have decided to develop the Japan FP Association's certification training for external use first. We are now in the process of preparing the training for internal use.

(*1) Reference:
The Life Insurance Association of Japan, "Education System for Sales Staff and Agents"

A push from a competitor and cost were major deciding factors.

Can you tell us how you first heard about learningBOX?

I learned about learningBOX when I was searching the Internet for keywords such as "e-learning.

I see, you found us through a search. Did you compare other companies as well?

Yes, in the end, we compared about three companies. In fact, our president introduced us to an acquaintance of his who was a vendor, and when we told him that we were thinking of using the system in this way, he recommended learningBOX. With that push, we decided to install learningBOX.

Of course, cost was also a major factor, but we also felt that the SaaS (Software as a Service: a system for using software as a service via the Internet) service was easy to maintain and manage, and that the running costs were also in line with our operation style. We felt that the SaaS service was a good fit for our operation style.

Thank you. I see that you have also signed up for the "EC" option to sell training.

Yes. ."eCommerceSince the "pay-as-you-go" option pays commissions based on the number of purchases, it keeps costs down when usage is low. We feel that this is a great way to operate without waste according to the situation.

Started operation from training sales, and preparation for internal training e-learning is underway.

How do you utilize learningBOX for your business?

As I mentioned earlier, we use this training for those who have passed the "AFP" (Affiliated Financial Planner) and the advanced "CFP®" (Certified Financial Planner®) certifications offered by the Japan FP Association.

These certifications must be renewed every two years, at which time continuing education (credits for renewal of certification) is required. Since we are approved by the Japan FP Association as an accredited training company, credits will be granted when a participant completes our training. By taking several training courses and obtaining the required number of credits, the certification can be renewed. The sales and management of these certified training programs are handled by learningBOX.

First of all, you are using it for external training sales. How many people have attended?

We do not have many students yet, so our challenge is to increase the number of students in the future. There are several other accredited education companies, and their courses vary in price and number of credits, so I feel that we need to make an effort to make sure that students can choose the right one.

Please tell us how often you update your content.

We update 5-6 contents per year for external use and replace them as laws and regulations are revised. Since this is a training program sold for a fee, we are very careful in many aspects to avoid mistakes.

In parallel, we plan to fully develop internal "continuing education" and "compliance training" programs. The department in charge of education is taking the lead in creating two new pieces of content each month.

What is the format of most of your teaching materials?

Although most of the materials are text-based, we also incorporate videos, which we have uploaded to YouTube and pasted the URLs of the videos (see below).Embedded video) to be able to take the course. The confirmatory test will be used to determine the "multiple-choice question, True/false(XX problems)"Fill-in-the-blankand so on, using a variety of different question formats.

Abundant functions and attentive human support make it easy to make use of this service.

What do you find easy or convenient about using learningBOX?

There are so many functions, and I find them very useful in themselves. However, some of the settings are a bit difficult. However, from the initial installation stage, the sales staff and support staff have been very helpful in giving me detailed instructions.

Thank you for your valuable feedback.

Yes, I know. As a manual, "How to UseI think that the "®" is widely deployed and is so well-developed that it is rare for such a system to be so well-developed. However, when I tried to actually look it up, I couldn't think of what keywords I should search for.

I am having a hard time finding a solution to the problem by myself. I have a hard time organizing in my mind the "path" to what I want to do, and I have trouble connecting the "where and how" to what I want to do. I often end up calling the support person because it is difficult to give detailed information by e-mail.

I see, I will take a look at it for reference. How would you describe the response of learningBOX sales and support to your inquiry?

I am very satisfied. I feel like I already have a hotline with the support staff. When I give them my name, they all respond in a friendly manner, saying "Hello, please wait a moment" and are very helpful.

When I ask questions, I am usually answered, "If that is the case, I can do it," but I am unable to reach that solution on my own. I feel it would be helpful if I could solve that part by myself.

On the other hand, it is really helpful to be able to make a proper phone call and get a direct explanation. While many companies nowadays use chat rooms or chatbots (programs that automatically answer users' questions), having a person on the other end of the line gives me a great sense of security.

Feel supported both by the efficiency of training management and the peace of mind that comes from generous support.

What benefits has learningBOX brought?

The biggest benefit has been the efficiency of training operations and the peace of mind of knowing that we can get immediate support when we have a problem. It is very reasonable to be able to operate both external (training sales) and internal training programs with a single system. I am also able to manage the system on my own.

If we tried to develop an accredited training program for outside the company without using the system, we would have to convert the materials into PDF files and send them back and forth by e-mail. With the introduction of learningBOX, this can be done very efficiently.

In-house "continuing education" and "compliance training," which are conducted monthly, will also be able to be converted to e-learning, creating a uniform learning environment at all locations, including not only recruiters but also administrative staff.

With learningBOX, the status of course completion can be checked on the system (see below).Progress Record), so the work itself will no longer be necessary.

As a result, we feel supported by both efficiency and peace of mind.

We would like to work on internal surveys and new external training programs.

What are your future plans for using learningBOX?

We hope to use this information in our internal surveys. learningBOX's "QuestionnaireWith the "Use of the form" function, there is no need to prepare separate forms, etc., and they can be centralized in the system, leading to greater efficiency. We believe this will make it easier to collect employee feedback.

In the sales of training outside the company, we would also like to focus on the development of training for those who would like to newly obtain the AFP certification.

You will find advantages in both cost and support.

Do you have a message for those considering learningBOX?

I think the biggest attraction of learningBOX is its high cost performance. In addition to that, the support is very generous, and I can rest assured that any unclear points can be resolved. Compared to other support services I have used, I feel that it is outstanding.

Thank you very much for your valuable insights!