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Hospitality

7 Top Features To Look For In A Modern LMS

Keeping your team happy and operations running smoothly starts with empowering your staff and giving them the right training. That’s where a good hospitality learning management system comes in. But with so many options out there, how do you pick the right one for your business? 

These days, an LMS is about more than just delivering training courses- it’s about making learning easy, reducing admin headaches, and keeping your team engaged in ways that older methods just can’t match. Employees need to stay informed and compliant and a modern LMS makes this training accessible and flexible for all. 

At CPL Learning, we’ve helped hundreds of hospitality businesses to deliver the most effective and dynamic learning and development solutions. We know that choosing the right LMS is essential for reducing turnover, providing an easy-to-use platform for staff, scaling with your business as it grows as well as keeping learners motivated and engaged. In this article, we’ll be covering everything you need to know to make an informed decision when choosing your next LMS, and how our tailored solutions can help you deliver high-quality training.

Posted 17/12/2024

Top features to look for in a modern LMS

Key features to look for 

Choosing an LMS isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about finding a solution that fits your business goals, supports your team’s growth, enhances engagement, and delivers measurable long-term value. Here are the key features every modern LMS should include, with practical examples of how they can make a real impact.

1. The interface is streamlined and user-friendly

Let’s face it, no one wants to battle with clunky software, especially when they’re trying to learn or manage a new system. A modern LMS should be as easy to use as opening an app on your phone. For learners, it’s about diving straight into the content with no hiccups along the way, and for admins, it’s about efficiency. 

Why it matters: If learners are busy trying to figure out the system instead of focusing on the material, you’re already losing them. And for admins, every minute saved means more time to spend on higher-priority tasks.

Example: Picture this: you’re onboarding a new front-of-house hire to take the pressure off your existing team. With a user-friendly LMS, they log in, see the ‘Welcome’ module, and dive right in. No close guidance needed- just a quick and smooth transition into their new role.

2. It can be accessed from a mobile device 

Gone are the days when training meant sitting at a desk for hours. These days, flexibility is the name of the game. Whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or desktop, learners need to be able to access training content whenever and wherever they fancy.

Why it matters: The bottom line is, life doesn’t stop for training, and mobile accessibility makes sure learning slots into your teams’ schedule-not the other way around. It’s about keeping knowledge fresh and the learning momentum going, all without disrupting productivity.

Example: Imagine your team has a spare 15-minute break between lunch rushes. That’s plenty of time to complete a quick food safety refresher on their smartphone. Training finished, compliance ticked off, and productivity intact.

3. It’s scalable

Organisations evolve, and your LMS needs to keep up with this. Whether you’re opening new locations, introducing fresh training programmes, or adapting to industry changes, scalability is a non-negotiable feature.

Why it matters: A scalable LMS grows with your organisation, avoiding the need for costly replacements as your needs change.

Example: Picture a large restaurant chain rolling out a new seasonal menu. With a scalable LMS, they can quickly train kitchen staff and servers across multiple locations, ensuring everyone is up to speed on the new dishes and presentation standards, all while maintaining operational efficiency.

4. It has comprehensive reporting tools

Effective training goes beyond just delivering courses-it’s about achieving measurable success. By choosing an LMS with advanced reporting tools, you can monitor every aspect of the learning journey. From tracking individual progress to keeping programme performance in check, these insights reveal what’s working and where improvements are needed.

Why it matters: Training isn’t a ‘set it and forget it’ process. Insights allow you to keep refining learning modules to make sure they meet evolving goals and learner expectations. 

Example: Let’s say you notice a low completion rate for a customer service module, by using data insights provided by your LMS, you discover the problem: overly complicated instructions causing confusion. With this insight, you simplify the instructions and add in a short video demonstration, resulting in soaring completion rates.

5. It integrates seamlessly with your existing software

Your LMS should integrate with other essential tools, like HR software, scheduling systems, or payroll platforms, to make operations in the hospitality industry smoother and more efficient.

Why it Matters: In hospitality especially, onboarding and training happen constantly, and the last thing you want is time wasted on manual tasks or missed opportunities to keep training on track. Integration ensures your LMS works in harmony with your existing systems, reducing admin time, minimising errors and ensuring your team is always prepared.

Example: By integrating their LMS with an HR system, a hotel chain automatically assigns relevant compliance courses to new hires based on their roles, saving time and ensuring consistency.

6. Gamification and engagement tools

Learning for your team doesn’t have to be boring. Incorporating elements such as quizzes,digital flashcards and rewards can make training more interactive and enjoyable. Plus, it can also help with retaining knowledge, reducing the need for refresher courses as often. 

Why it matters: Gamification makes learning more engaging and keeps people motivated, so they’re more likely to remember what they’ve learned.

Example: Imagine your bartenders having a bit of friendly competition to earn badges for nailing their cocktail skills. It’s fun, it’s interactive, and it helps them sharpen their craft without it feeling like a chore.

7. Strong security and compliance features

An LMS handles sensitive user data, making robust security features essential for the safety of all users. For industries like hospitality, where compliance training is critical, the LMS must make sure all courses meet legal and industry standards.

Why it matters: Secure systems are essential for protecting sensitive data, maintaining compliance with regulations, and minimising risks for your brand. A robust LMS ensures data is stored safely and meets legal standards. This not only protects the organisation from potential breaches but also builds trust with employees and stakeholders.

Example: Imagine a hotel using an LMS with built-in GDPR-compliant features. It securely tracks and stores employee training records, ensuring they’re easily accessible during audits. This streamlined process not only saves time but also gives you the confidence that you’re meeting regulatory requirements without any added stress. 

How CPL Learning’s LMS can transform your training

When it comes to meeting the unique training needs of the hospitality industry, CPL Learning’s LMS is designed to deliver results. It’s not just about ticking boxes, it’s about creating learning experiences that resonate with your team.  

With CPL Learning, you’ll find:

  • Industry-specific modules: From compliance training to customer service essentials, the platform offers online courses tailored to hospitality, ensuring your team is always equipped with the right skills.

  • Customisation options: Need training that reflects your brand or specific requirements? CPL Learning lets you personalise modules, so your team gets relevant and engaging content every time.

  • Exceptional support: You’re never left to figure things out on your own. With dedicated user support, CPL Learning ensures a smooth experience for both administrators and learners.

By partnering with CPL Learning, you’re investing in a modern, effective solution that helps your team thrive.

Ready to elevate your training with CPL Learning?

In this article, we’ve explored the key features of a modern LMS, from user-friendly interfaces and mobile accessibility to robust reporting tools. We also highlighted how these tools can help you improve employee engagement, streamline your training process, and ensure compliance without the admin headache. 

CPL Learning’s LMS is designed specifically with hospitality in mind. Whether you’re looking for customisable training modules, face to face courses, seamless integration with your existing systems, or dedicated support, CPL Learning offers the tools you need to create an engaging and effective learning environment.

Ready to see the difference for yourself? Get in touch with us today.