Can Less Training Result in Better Compliance?
True regulatory compliance is not just a policy—it is a daily commitment. Employees are the frontline defenders of trust, safeguarding sensitive data and upholding the company's integrity. Every action matters, protecting both operations and reputation. Compliance starts with them.
However, it is not just about clicking the "I agree" checkbox after reading a policy—it is about their daily actions. Traditional compliance training, however, is often seen as a burden rather than a strategy for legal fortification.
After 20 years of helping Fortune 500 companies implement Information Governance and Records Management programs, I have seen how traditional training falls short. At best, it raises a fleeting awareness; at worst, it is a frustrating distraction that robs companies of thousands of hours of productivity each year. There is a better way: Compliance Microlearning.
The High Cost of Traditional Compliance Training
Traditional training is expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to scale. In 2024, large companies spent an average of $13.3 million annually on learning programs, with a per-learner cost of $774—often too high for medium and small businesses.
Compliance Microlearning offers a faster, more cost-effective solution that enhances compliance without the heavy lift of traditional training development.
What Is Compliance Microlearning?
Compliance Microlearning delivers 10- to 15-minute interactive lessons focused on real business processes. Unlike lengthy, passive training, these modules use quizzes, games, and simulations to reinforce learning—helping employees apply key concepts immediately.
For example, if corporate records management is a challenge, employees can explore an interactive retention schedule, test their knowledge of records classification, or prepare for an enterprise-wide information cleanup event.
Compliance Training Does Not Have to Be Boring
Organizations are Deploying Microlearning at the Process Level
- Records Management – Retention schedules, sensitivity classifications, secure disposal
- Data Privacy – Safe handling, data minimization, access controls
- Generative AI – Responsible AI use, prompt engineering, bias prevention
- Legal & Audit Compliance – Legal hold processes, regulatory readiness
- Procurement Compliance – Vendor due diligence, contract reviews, ethical business transactions
- Job Aids & Tool Tips – Instant access to process guides, including emergency procedures
Microlearning: Built for Today's Workforce
With ever-changing modes of working and the endpoints of employee engagement, organizations need learning strategies that keep pace. Microlearning modules can be delivered stand-alone on all devices or through your existing learning management systems (LMS) platforms—without costly production overhead.
Let's Talk
For more than 20 years, I have helped organizations improve their compliance programs. At Ankura's Information Governance Learning Practice, we design customized Compliance Microlearning experiences that are engaging, cost-effective, and deployable within weeks.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
