Outsourcing

Managed learning services vs. traditional outsourcing — how do they compare?

Managed learning services (MLS) go beyond traditional outsourcing by combining governance, certified talent, and hybrid engagement strategies at scale, while traditional outsourcing typically focuses on delivering a specific project or training program. MLS is a longer-term partnership model, often covering administration, vendor management, content design, facilitation, and reporting. Traditional outsourcing is narrower in scope and project-based.

Why This Matters
Traditional outsourcing solves short-term needs, but managed learning services offer a holistic, scalable partnership. MLS provides cost predictability, consistent learner engagement across hybrid programs, and ongoing alignment with business goals. This positions L&D to deliver sustainable impact rather than piecemeal solutions.

Traditional vendors may manage logistics but lack the depth to drive hybrid engagement at scale. InSync’s MLS model combines governance, certified talent, and engagement frameworks to deliver sustainable results beyond what transactional providers can achieve.

Example: A global pharmaceutical company partnered with InSync through MLS to manage virtual facilitation, logistics, and reporting. They cut administrative costs significantly while improving learner satisfaction scores across 10 countries.

Strategic Next Steps

  • Identify recurring needs — if training delivery is ongoing, MLS may be a better fit.
  • Clarify scope — MLS handles multiple functions; outsourcing covers one project.
  • Ask about governance — MLS provides dashboards and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for transparency.
  • Check partner scale — ensure global delivery and multilingual capacity.

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