Training has changed significantly. Whilst instructor led training can still involve people meeting physically, the on-line instructor led training is now very common. We can debate the efficacy of remote training vs on-line but reality is that instructor led training has moved.
So what does that mean for the accompanying training manual? Shipping to individual address? Or sending a PDF?
Let’s examine the pro and cons of sending a PDF.
Pros
1, Cost effective – indeed virtually no marginal cost
2. Environmentally friendly – possibly. The opinion being that printed training manuals are not an environmentally friendly product, although there are strong counter arguments to this (see twosides.info). However, sometimes it is not the intellectual argument that wins but the emotional one.
Cons
1. Security – once a PDF is sent thee is nothing to prevent re-distribution and posting to the internet and the loss of all Intellectual Property. This is covered in other blog posts - https://www.pdi.co.uk/insights/understanding-digital-rights-management-why-it-matters-for-training-companies
2. All PDF readers are not created equal. Whilst the PDF file was designed to be a standard file which could be read on virtually any device, the readers vary and so the functionality of the reader varies. So what functionality might you like:
- The ability to highlight text by the user.
- Allowing the users to add their own notes to the book.
- Search key words and phrases.
- Sharing of notes within groups
- The ability to embed video - demonstrate practices alongside the text.
- The ability to link to other resources.
Some PDF readers will allow some of these functionalities, but you will never know before hand whether they are available to the training candidates on your course.
3. Its an image file – a PDF displays as a consistent image on all devices. That means that to view on a mobile device or iPad you will need to expand and contract the screen in order to navigate – clunky.
Some of the Cons expressed here do not apply to a printed manual – but some do apply. Finding the right balance is specific to your needs and a printed manual is not for everyone.
The alternative is of course a DRM protected eBook using a specific training eReader which will protect the IP and provide the functionality listed - see here for details https://www.pdi.co.uk/digital
Author: David Platt, BSC, BA, MBA. Dip. M
David has been involved in printed training ,amuals for 30 years and ebooks for nearly 10 years, as Executive Director of PDI – he has the scars of printing to match client requirements over many year, as well as a formal education in Business Management and Marketing.
