The needs of a small business are different from that of a big business, and different still from those of a university.  Unlike accounting and human resources, eLearning functionality has not been used in small business applications for very long.  Consequently, service providers, advice, and options are much harder to come by.  Even understanding how eLearning can work in your business might be difficult to envision.  

These posts from 2010 offer some ideas on how to use eLearning in general and Moodle specifically, in your small business.  They also provide some guidance on what to look for and what to avoid. 

• How a consultant-trainer can use eLearning to increase revenue, reach more clients, and free up time (what you do with that time is up to you!)
• Six Easy Steps to Convert Your Content to e-Learning
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Business Training
• Protecting Your eLearning Content – Is This Something to Worry About?
• Web Considerations for Small Businesses Marketing and Selling eLearning Content
• Open Source vs. Proprietary Software:  What It Means to a Small Business
• Greening your business with eLearning
• Using Moodle for Business
• Where in the world is the Internet? Can a small business with global clients still use Moodle?
• Getting to the moon in manageable phases: using an MGPP for eLearning development
• How to Keep Your eLearning Development On Time, On Budget  

My picks for best small business advice:

• Highly Contagious Marketing by Judy Murdoch
• What Works for Business by Daniel Kehrer  
• Bee-Learn.com Beehive Buzz, my alter-ego’s new blog on Lean & Green Business – Using Quality Tools and Statistics in a Small Business 

Here’s hoping for a safe and happy 2011. Happy New Year!