CASE STUDY
AO
AO, the UK’s most trusted electronics retailer, has partnered with Omniplex Learning for the last four years. In that time, their digital learning portfolio has improved significantly, becoming more accessible and engaging than ever before.
Through a combination of tools, training, and bespoke templates, together we’ve built something that goes beyond a client relationship: a close collaboration that has led to record completion rates and built a team that’s ready for the future of digital learning.
“Every steer that you’ve given us has proven to be the right one. It’s a partnership. I don’t think we’ve ever reached out and not been able to get the help.”
Stephen Holderness, Learning and Development Lead
Products used:
Articulate 360
Training and support
Bespoke template packs
The challenges
AO had an existing library that they wanted to evolve into a more engaging learning experience. Previously, people completed their mandatory training but didn’t tap into it beyond a box-ticking exercise. AO’s vision was bigger than that. They wanted a vibrant, accessible content library, built on core instructional design principles, that would engage learners and upskill the team behind it.
Making eLearning fully accessible
Following learner feedback, accessibility was AO’s primary focus. Previously, people using screen readers struggled with navigation, and courses weren’t designed with neurodiversity in mind. The goal was clear: a content library that worked for every learner.
A pivot from text-heavy content
A large-scale review made it clear learners weren’t engaging with the content they had. Courses were text-heavy, and learning wasn’t meeting people in the formats they liked – video and audio.
Reaching time-poor learners
A library with thousands of pieces of eLearning was sitting largely untouched. Learners knew it was there, but it didn’t work for them. With people stretched for time, AO wanted to move towards bite-sized, accessible content.
Upskilling the team
The team had a strong eye for design, but the learning theory that makes content impactful wasn’t always there. AO wanted to change that, building a team that could confidently create eLearning grounded in instructional design.
The solutions
Over four years, AO and Omniplex Learning have developed a close working partnership – one built on AO’s understanding of their brand and learners, and OL’s expertise in L&D strategy and practice. This has given AO’s team everything they need to build a content portfolio that works hard for their learners, with the confidence that support is there when needed.
Articulate 360
OL worked closely with AO to find the right solution for their needs – and Articulate 360 proved to be the perfect fit. An award-winning authoring tool built for L&D teams who need to create, update, and manage eLearning at scale, it gave AO the power to build interactive, engaging content in formats that worked for their audience.
Training and support
Hands-on training in Articulate Storyline, instructional design and accessibility gave AO’s L&D team the skills and confidence to build inclusive learning that makes a lasting impact. And with ongoing access to expert guidance, they have a trusted resource to turn to whenever challenges come up.
Bespoke template packs
OL worked with AO to design a suite of professionally built, on-brand Learning Design Templates – giving the team a polished, consistent starting point for every piece of content they build. With the aesthetic decisions already made, AO can focus their energy on what matters most: the learning design itself.
The results
Partnering with Omniplex Learning has led to record-breaking success for digital learning in AO. From high-quality tools to training on the elements that matter, their eLearning programme is successful, both in the metrics and beyond.
Record completion rates
Courses built for everyone, in formats that engage, have driven record completion of mandatory and compliance learning to within less than 0.1% overdue across the full calendar year.
Learning outside of the working day
Better, more accessible content means people are choosing to learn, even outside of working hours. 40% of learning is now completed outside nine to five on weekdays, up from just 4% before.
A streamlined process
On-brand, ready-to-use templates have changed how the whole team works. SMEs come prepared knowing the format, while the L&D team can be more intentional, putting their energy into the learning design.
Better engagement
Despite a growing library of micro content, learners are now spending 18% more time per module on average. Engagement across likes, comments, and shares is also up 60% since 2023.
Over 4 million hours spent learning
Learners have now clocked over four million hours of eLearning, a figure that reflects not just volume, but a big shift in how training is valued across AO.
An upskilled team
The training and process improvements mean AO has built a team that can pivot quickly as business needs evolve. They’re now equipped with the skills and knowledge to take on whatever comes next.
“It’s increased our credibility. We get a lot more training requests. We’re now reaching areas of the business that wouldn’t engage with us previously. We’re making meaningful learning that impacts.”
Stephen Holderness, Learning and Development Lead
About AO
Headquartered in Bolton, AO is the UK’s most trusted electricals retailer. Employing around 3,000 AOers, the company does things differently: they have their own logistics organisation, which allows them to deliver on their promises.
AO’s talented team of people keeps the company constantly inventing, and they work tirelessly to amaze their customers with their renowned service. The proof is in the numbers: AO has more 5* Trustpilot reviews than any other UK electrical retailer – they’re rated ‘Excellent’ overall, with over 970k customer reviews.
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