Let’s explore five of the web’s top eLearning platforms to empower your team
The most successful entrepreneurs are constantly curious. They seek the wisdom, knowledge, and inspiration needed to develop fresh ideas that accelerate business growth and impact change.
In the digital age, pursuing knowledge is easier than ever. And all it takes is an internet connection.
There are thousands of online resources available to help entrepreneurs like you gain new skills and grow your business. So, let’s talk eLearning and explore five platforms that can turn your computer into a classroom.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn is a great tool for making connections. You’ve most likely leaned on the platform to reach top talent, but did you know LinkedIn also houses thousands of expert-led educational courses?
With LinkedIn Learning, you can search for new skills to advance your career and ultimately help you grow your business. More than 16,000 courses are currently available, and a subscription gives you unlimited access to all of them.
- Cost: Starting at $26.99 per month, after a one-month free trial. Cancel anytime.
- Courses: Over 16,000 courses available in Business, Creative, and Technology subjects.
- Capabilities: LinkedIn Learning is self-paced and accessible in multiple languages. The platform offers personalized course recommendations based on the skills and interests listed in your LinkedIn profile. But you don’t have to judge a course by its cover. Make sure it’s the right one for you by reading a summary and reviews before getting started.
- Popular Tracks: Want to know what other LinkedIn Learners are checking out?
- Essentials of Team Collaboration with Dana Brownlee: Learn new ways to keep teams collaborating effectively by exploring communication styles and the importance of clarifying individual and team purposes.
- Cultivating a Growth Mindset with Gemma Leigh Roberts: Discover how to adopt a growth mindset through real-life examples, research, and advice.
Coursera for Business
Coursera drives business growth by rapidly deploying on-demand skills training. Need to know more about project management? Want to learn the basics of computer programming? This is the place to look! With content from top universities, companies, and search engines like Google, Coursera is designed to empower your modern workforce.
Trainings are available in multiple formats and lengths to accommodate various needs and schedules. Plus, bring learning to life with Guided Projects—hands-on, single-session training programs accompanied by expert guidance.
- Cost: Starting at $399 per user for 12 months. Custom pricing available for large teams.
- Courses: Over 5,000 courses, specializations, and Guided Projects available in key skills including Data and Analytics, Technology, Leadership, Finance, and more.
- Capabilities: Coursera offers essential skills training to help businesses grow. Leverage hands-on guided learning along with content from top companies and universities to help your entire team excel. Plus, drive business outcomes with learning management tools that will help you monitor your team’s (and your own) progress.
- Popular Tracks: If you’re not sure where to start, consider these favorite tracks:
- Finance for Non-Finance Professionals (Rice University): Learn the basics of corporate finance, stock markets, valuation, and more to help you make well-informed financial decisions—no prior experience required.
- Cybersecurity: Developing a Program for Your Business (University System of Georgia): Protect your business and yourself by mastering the fundamentals of cybersecurity, such as how to assess threats, secure data, and reduce human error.
HubSpot Academy
If you’re looking to expand your inbound sales and marketing knowledge, HubSpot Academy is a great place to start. This free platform offers courses on hundreds of marketing, sales, and customer service-related topics, presented in an engaging video format
Take advantage of quick, practical courses for fast insights, or dive deeper into a comprehensive certification course—complete with a badge to display on your website or social media once you’ve been certified.
- Cost: Free! Gain unlimited access to hundreds of topics.
- Courses: Explore bite-sized lessons or dive into comprehensive courses to expand your sales, marketing, and customer service skills.
- Capabilities: HubSpot Academy is designed to help you learn inbound strategies, tactics, and tools to help you grow your business. Learn at your own pace, from wherever you are, with this intuitive online learning platform.
- Popular Tracks: If you’re looking to boost your marketing skills and knowledge, consider these HubSpot certifications:
- Inbound Marketing Certification: Become a certified inbound marketer by learning the essentials of inbound content creation, social media, conversions, pillar pages, lead nurturing, and more.
- Content Marketing Certification: Start producing content that gets results with this in-depth training, which will teach you how to consistently improve the quality of your content to expand your reach.
Masterclass
Masterclass is your direct link to the world’s most inspiring artists, leaders, and icons. Over 150 instructors have created classes, with an average of 20 lessons per class, at about 10 minutes per lesson.
Gain business strategy insights from Bob Iger, explore the ups and downs of entrepreneurship with Richard Branson, or be inspired to pursue purpose-driven leadership with Indra Nooyi. It’s all at your fingertips with Masterclass.
- Cost: Starting at $15.00 per month, billed annually, for all classes and sessions.
- Courses: Over 150 instructors with classes currently available across 11 categories. New classes added every month.
- Capabilities: Masterclass offers an immersive online learning experience delivered by the world’s top leaders, artists, and tastemakers. Access extensive video content, an instructor’s guide, interactive assignments, and more with each class.
- Popular Tracks: Who will you learn from on MasterClass? Here are two classes to consider:
- The Art of Negotiation with Chris Voss: Learn key negotiation tactics in half a day with Chris Voss, who shares his real-world experience of successfully negotiating high-stakes situations.
- Effective Communication with Robin Roberts: Prepare to make more meaningful connections after learning from Robin Roberts, who will teach you how to embrace vulnerability, build resilience, and live with optimism.
edX For Business
As a leader, it’s your responsibility to provide your team with the tools and resources they need to succeed. With edX For Business, you can unlock the potential of your organization by empowering teams to upskill.
This online platform offers courses covering in-demand topics such as Cloud Infrastructure, Analytics for Decision Making, Digital Strategy and Action, Business Communications, and many more to accelerate digital transformation.
- Cost: Starting at $349.00 per learner, per year. Custom pricing available for large organizations.
- Courses: Give your team unlimited access to more than 1,200 courses designed to develop skills and grow careers.
- Capabilities: edX For Business gives entire teams the freedom and flexibility to master new skills that drive business and career growth. Empower your team to learn at their own pace—with or without their peers—and gain admin access into learner journeys to help everyone stay on track.
- Popular Tracks: With edX, you can gain new skills you never knew you needed. Here are a couple of places to start:
- Agile Project Management (University System of Maryland): Learn how to power-up your projects with management techniques that increase speed, reduce risk of failure, and unlock your team’s full potential.
- Digital Transformation Leadership (Boston University): Find out how to lead organizational change with technology to leapfrog disruptions and thrive in the digital world.
All the platforms and courses we’ve brought to you today vary in cost, time commitment, and presentation style, so you can choose the best match for your learning style.
For example, if you learn best by listening, you might want to start by checking out MasterClass. If you prefer a more traditional lecture and note-taking model, take a closer look at edX or Coursera. And if you’re looking for a quick, casual lesson, turn to LinkedIn Learning or HubSpot Academy.
What is your online learning platform of choice? Let us know in the comments below.