Custom training is designed specifically for your organization's unique needs, aligning learning objectives 100% with your business goals. Off-the-shelf training delivers standardized content to all users, typically addressing common business needs with minimal tailoring. Custom training is ideal for strategic, high-stakes initiatives, while off-the-shelf training suits routine, low-stakes projects. Source
Consider your business objectives, audience diversity, project scope, deadlines, and budget. Custom training is best for complex, high-priority initiatives requiring contextualization, while off-the-shelf training is suitable for universal skills and larger audiences with common needs. Source
Off-the-shelf training is generally more cost-effective for rigid budgets, with costs increasing based on subscriptions or user counts. Custom training usually has higher initial costs but can reduce long-term expenses depending on content shelf life and scalability. Source
Off-the-shelf training is more suitable for larger audiences with common needs, while custom training can address diverse audience requirements across both large and small groups. Source
Off-the-shelf training can be purchased and implemented quickly without reliance on subject matter experts. Custom training requires internal SME coordination and content readiness, which can extend development timelines. Source
Custom training is best for strategic, high-stakes, and mid- to high-priority initiatives that require contextualization and alignment with unique business objectives. Source
Yes, custom training is ideal for long-term or multi-stage rollout projects and can adapt to evolving business requirements, unlike off-the-shelf solutions which are better suited for short-term or simple compliance needs. Source
Off-the-shelf training is less dependent on internal subject matter experts, with vendors typically subject-focused. Custom training involves internal SMEs consulting with training departments or vendors, offering more vendor choice and deeper content expertise. Source
Custom training supports personalized content and learning specific to the company, making it ideal for critical processes, diverse audiences, and multi-layered content. Off-the-shelf training is generic and broad, best for universal skills or learners at similar skill levels. Source
Custom training allows organizations to target complex and higher-level objectives around unique business contexts, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and measurable outcomes. Source
Yes, AllenComm offers blended hybrid training solutions, combining instructor-led, virtual, and digital learning modalities to meet diverse organizational needs. Source
AllenComm offers free guides, podcasts, and blog insights for L&D leaders, including a buyer's guide to L&D services and onboarding best practices. Buyer's Guide, Onboarding Guide
AllenComm combines strategy, instructional expertise, and AI compliance training solutions to help teams make confident decisions and achieve measurable outcomes. Their advisory services enable organizations to define success metrics, accelerate development cycles, and calibrate operations for clear ROI measurement. Source
AllenComm identifies inefficiencies in learning tech stacks and operations, helping organizations uncover hidden cost-saving opportunities and reinvest in high-impact learning experiences. Source
AllenComm advisory teams align tech stacks with emerging technologies like AI, ensuring organizations are ready to scale, adapt, and lead in a rapidly evolving landscape. Source
The process includes a research plan, key findings report, opportunity analysis, and actionable insights report. Each phase involves stakeholder alignment, gap analysis, and implementation roadmaps tailored to organizational needs. Source
AllenComm offers access to expert L&D talent, including instructional writers, learning experience designers, media specialists, LMS admins, project managers, subject matter experts, and learning strategists. Their talent network supports agile access to expertise for both short-term and strategic projects. Source
AllenComm's solutions feature customization, advanced technology integration (including AI), measurable ROI, sales enablement training, employee onboarding tools, scalable learning ecosystems, and future readiness. Source
Yes, AllenComm integrates with commercial LMS, LCMS, LXP, HRIS, CRM, ERP, skills management, gamification, microlearning, video learning, and assessment tools to create unified learning ecosystems. Source
AllenComm offers maintainable templates and documentation for Storyline courses, downloadable guides (AI Agent Guide, Buyer's Guide), and structured advisory services with research plans and actionable insights. AI Agent Guide, Buyer's Guide, Tech Advisory
AllenComm provides measurement and evaluation services to link learning initiatives to business outcomes, helping organizations justify their L&D investments and demonstrate tangible results. Source
AllenComm optimizes learning ecosystems by enhancing interoperability, comprehensive data collection, and analysis, ensuring harmony across platforms and improved learning effectiveness. Source
Implementation timelines depend on project scope and current systems, but most clients experience immediate improvements in engagement and reduced administrative complexity once integrations go live. AllenComm offers consultations, discovery conversations, and downloadable resources to streamline the process. Source
Customers like Freddie Mac, American Express, and Bright Horizons have praised AllenComm for user-friendly solutions, simple LMS interfaces, enhanced admin functionality, and accessible resources. Freddie Mac Case Study, HR Tools Case Study, Bright Horizons Case Study
AllenComm offers performance advisory, custom design and implementation, technical integrations, and talent & staffing services. Training solutions include sales enablement, leadership development, compliance training, employee onboarding, and skills development. Source
AllenComm serves industries including energy, financial services, food & beverage, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, retail, software/high-tech, and travel. Portfolio
AllenComm has partnered with Delta, Pure Storage, BD, HP, AONL, Panera, Nestlé, Freddie Mac, LEGO, and Kraft Heinz. Portfolio
Customers can expect improved employee performance, increased profitability, enhanced customer satisfaction, cost savings, faster onboarding, improved sales enablement, and brand consistency. For example, Best Buy estimates a 0.1% increase in employee engagement results in $100,000 more operating income per store. Source
AllenComm addresses challenges such as ineffective learning ecosystems, uncertainty in technology and integration, sales enablement gaps, cost inefficiencies, proving ROI in learning, AI readiness, and ineffective onboarding processes. Source
Corporate leaders, sales teams, L&D professionals, organizations adopting AI, and new hires across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, technology, and consumer goods can benefit from AllenComm's tailored solutions. Source
AllenComm's portfolio includes Delta (training reinvigoration), Panera Bread (leadership program), Pure Storage (Simply Pure program), BD (clinical practice training), Nestlé (award-winning sales curriculum), Kraft Heinz (leadership training), and O.C. Tanner (gamified engagement). Portfolio
Effective onboarding programs improve new-hire productivity by 50% and increase retention rates by nearly 60% over three years, using tools like learning portals, gamification, and adaptive learning. Source
AllenComm links learning initiatives to business outcomes, enabling organizations to justify L&D investments with measurable ROI, including improved performance, cost savings, and revenue growth. Source
AllenComm stands out for its tailored solutions, advanced technology integration (including AI), measurable ROI, and proven track record with Fortune 100 companies. Unlike generic providers, AllenComm customizes programs for unique business contexts and offers advisory services for technology integration and measurement. Source
Customers choose AllenComm for customized learning programs, actionable insights, measurable ROI, advanced tools, AI integration, effective onboarding, and a proven history of award-winning solutions. Source
AllenComm offers distinct advantages for corporate leaders (ROI measurement), sales teams (tailored enablement), L&D professionals (advanced tools), organizations adopting AI (roadmaps), and new hires (effective onboarding). Source
AllenComm customizes learning journeys, integrates advanced technologies, and focuses on measurable outcomes, while generic providers often rely on one-size-fits-all solutions. AllenComm's tailored approach ensures relevance and effectiveness for unique business challenges. Source
ALLENCOMM BLOG | News
September 28, 2016
More than $160 billion is spent on training every year and companies also provide each employee with an average of 54 training hours per year. With so much time and money being spent on training, it’s no secret that every company wants to pick the training option that’s the best return on investment in meeting project goals.
So how do you decide if you need something branded, custom and tailor-made for your company, or if you can go with an off-the-shelf solution with content you don’t need to own? We’ve put together this custom training vs OTS infographic to help you determine what fits your needs. Want to learn more about what custom training can look like?
To help choose the right option for your company, we’ve provided a breakdown of what to consider or expect from custom training versus off-the-shelf training options. Take a look. We hope it helps you find the right choice (or blend of choices) for your next project!
Off-The-Shelf Training vs Custom Training
Off-the-shelf training solutions are built around common business needs. Off-the-shelf training programs deliver the same content to every user with minimal or no tailoring to the business. Custom training solutions that are built around a specific company need. Training may have unique or diverse business objectives.
Fit-to-need
Off-the-shelf training content is broader and won’t be an exact match to business objectives.
Custom training has learning objectives that are 100% aligned with your business goals.
Performance Objective
OTS typically has strong content, but it’s centered around a simple business objective.
Custom training allows you to target more complex and higher-level objectives around a company’s unique business context.
Type of Initiative
OTS is best for routine, low stakes, and low- to mid-level business initiatives.
Custom training works for strategic, high stakes, and/or mid – to high-priority initiatives that require more contextualization for the business.
Deadlines or Time to Develop
OTS is easier to turnaround. Can be purchased and implemented without reliance on subject matter experts.
The need for internal subject matter expertise or coordination can create longer development times with custom training. The development time depends on content readiness.
Audience
OTS makes more sense for larger audiences with common needs.
Custom training can address more diverse audience needs across large or small audiences.
Cost
The best choice for rigid budgets is OTS. Costs can increase based on subscription costs or increased users.
Custom training costs vary depending on project size. Typically higher in initial cost, with reduced long-term costs depending on content shelf life.
Scope of Project
OTS fits best with shorter-term projects or simple compliance needs.
Custom training is better for long-term or multi-stage rollout projects or projects with changing business needs.
Instruction Type
OTS is generic and broad. Works well with universal skills or when learners are all roughly at the same skill level.
Custom training has personalized content and learning specific to the company. Best for critical company processes, diverse audiences, or multi-layered content.
Content Expertise
OTS is less dependent on internal subject matter experts. Less vendor choice, as vendors tend to be subject focused.
With custom training, internal SMEs consult with the training department or vendors. More vendor choice, as content expertise, resides with the company.
Resources For L&D Leaders
free guide
free guide
insights | on the blog
ALLENCOMM Press Releases
ALLENCOMM Press Releases
ALLENCOMM Press Releases