Exploring the HyFlex Frontier: Building Effective Corporate Learning Experiences

I love attending a conference or a client-sponsored training event. The buzz of the vendor hall, meeting new people, the excitement of learning new things. BUT…the cost is so high – both financially and personally.

On top of the registration fee, there’s airfare, hotels, meals—not to mention the time away from home and all the airports. I’ve also attended some live-virtual conferences, but they just weren’t the same. I learned great stuff and got excited for that, but lost the benefit of networking. In those instances, no effort was made to create those same in-person social experiences.

The corporate training landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. During the pandemic, companies rapidly pivoted to virtual training solutions, often with surprising success. Tools improved, facilitators adapted, and learners adjusted to screens replacing classrooms. Yet as we’ve settled into post-pandemic rhythms, a nuanced reality has emerged: both virtual and in-person learning have distinct advantages that companies are reluctant to sacrifice.

Higher education has responded with a new modality: HyFlex. Will this prove to be a solution for corporate training as well?

What is HyFlex?

HyFlex—short for “Hybrid-Flexible”—is a training model that combines in-person and online participation options within a single, cohesive learning experience. In a HyFlex training environment, participants can choose their preferred mode of attendance without sacrificing learning quality:

• In-person: Attend physically in a traditional classroom setting
• Synchronous online: Join live sessions remotely via video conferencing
• Asynchronous: Access recordings, activities, and materials on their own schedule
• Mixed-mode: Switch between different participation methods as needed

For companies that previously would have brought employees into larger regional offices to attend training, this means they can still do in-person training for those that regularly work in those regional offices, but employees that would have to travel can now attend remotely. For many, it’s a win-win.

Why Companies Should Embrace Hyflex

Adopting HyFlex learning models isn’t simply about accommodating remote workers—it’s about responding to several powerful forces reshaping corporate training:

1. Rediscovering the Value of Social Learning
   While virtual training proved effective for content delivery, many companies have rediscovered what research has long demonstrated: social learning drives deeper understanding and better knowledge retention. Those spontaneous discussions during coffee breaks, the impromptu problem-solving sessions after formal training ends, and the relationship building that happens in physical spaces—these elements contribute significantly to learning outcomes.
   
2. Budget Realities and Travel Constraints
   Simultaneously, the financial equation for training has changed dramatically. Travel budgets that once accommodated nationwide or global training initiatives have been slashed, with training travel often first on the chopping block during cost-cutting measures.
   
   Research shows that virtual training can provide significant cost savings compared to traditional in-person approaches. One study found that virtual training resulted in a 44% reduction in overall expense compared to in-person training, largely due to the elimination of travel and facilities costs.¹
   
3. The Hybrid Workforce Is Here to Stay
   Perhaps most significantly, the workforce itself has transformed. Many businesses have permanently adopted hybrid working models, with employees splitting time between offices and remote locations. Some team members may never work from corporate offices, while others are present daily.
   
   This distributed reality means any learning strategy must accommodate both populations without creating second-class learning experiences for either group.
   
4. The Technology Tipping Point
   Finally, technology has reached a point where truly equivalent multi-modal learning experiences are possible. Advances in video conferencing, collaborative tools, and purpose-built learning technologies have eliminated many of the barriers that once made hybrid approaches frustrating and ineffective.
   

The Corporate HyFlex Challenge

While HyFlex seems like the perfect solution considering these drivers, making this learning mode work in corporate settings comes with several hurdles:

1. Technology Hurdles
   Many corporate training spaces aren’t designed for remote learning from the outset. They are designed around the in-person experience and often lack essential equipment like proper microphones, strategically placed cameras, and displays that work seamlessly with video conferencing platforms.
   
   When technology fails, the impact is immediate: remote learners can’t hear discussions, in-person activities aren’t visible to virtual participants, and frustration quickly mounts.
   
2. Facilitator Overload
   Trainers and facilitators must simultaneously design and deliver content that works effectively for both in-person and remote learners—a task requiring new skills and significantly more preparation time than traditional training formats.
   
   Imagine trying to manage a physical room while monitoring chat questions, troubleshooting technical issues, and ensuring remote participants feel included. Without proper support, even experienced facilitators can feel overwhelmed.
   
3. Engagement Inequity
   Remote learners may experience isolation or reduced engagement, particularly when interaction with facilitators and peers is limited. Meanwhile, the flexibility of HyFlex can lead to multitasking or distractions when employees attend from unsuitable environments.
   
   This engagement gap threatens the effectiveness of your training investment and can create a two-tier learning experience that undermines the core HyFlex principle of equivalence.
   
4. Community Building Challenges
   Building a cohesive learning cohort becomes exponentially more difficult when participants are split between physical and virtual spaces. In-person participants may resist using technology to engage with remote colleagues, creating an unintentional divide. Likewise, remote participants are less likely to socialize during breaks and turn the camera off to enjoy personal down time.
   
   This division can undermine collaborative learning and the valuable peer connections that often drive knowledge retention and application.

Making HyFlex Work: Strategies for Success

Despite these challenges, companies can create successful HyFlex training by following these evidence-based approaches:

1. Reimagine Engagement
   Prioritize interactive elements like polls, quizzes, and thoughtfully designed breakout rooms to keep both in-person and remote participants actively involved throughout the session.
   
   At Smartfirm, we’ve found that game elements—when thoughtfully integrated—can dramatically increase engagement across participation modes. For example, on-line polling tools like Mentimeter work equally well in both in-person and virtual settings, and can create gamified experiences by designing “quiz shows” with leaderboards to check knowledge.
   
2. Invest in the Right Technology
   The right technology makes or breaks HyFlex success. Essential components include:
   – High-quality omnidirectional microphones that capture in-room discussions
   – Multiple camera angles to capture facilitators, participants, and visual aids
   – Large displays that make remote participants visible to in-room attendees
   – Virtual whiteboards and tools that enable real-time collaboration
   – Reliable video conferencing platform with breakout capabilities
   
   However, technology alone isn’t enough—provide thorough training for both facilitators and participants on using these tools effectively.
   
3. Design for All Participation Modes
   Structure your training to support both live participation and asynchronous engagement, ensuring participants can succeed regardless of how they attend.
   
   This can be accomplished by:
   – Creating concise, accessible materials for asynchronous review
   – Designing activities that work equally well in-person or virtually, as well as asynchronous activities that achieve the same objectives
   – Building in reflection points that accommodate different participation timelines
   
4. Create Facilitator Support Systems
   Given the complexity of managing multiple modalities simultaneously, provide dedicated technical support whenever possible.
   
   For sessions without technical support staff, consider:
   – Designating an in-room participant as a virtual advocate
   – Creating structured check-in points for virtual participants
   – Using co-facilitators—one focused on content, one on technology and engagement
   
5. Intentionally Build Community
   Foster connections by pairing in-person and remote participants for collaborative activities and discussions.
   
   Incorporating these cross-modality connections not only improves the immediate learning experience by using social learning, but also can lead to building valuable professional relationships that extend beyond training.
   
6. Plan for Change
   HyFlex adoption requires significant shifts in thinking, including updated policies, clear communication, and continuous support for both facilitators and learners.
   
   Successful transitions typically include:
   – Pilot programs with feedback loops
   – Clear communication about the “why” behind HyFlex adoption
   – Gradual scaling of capabilities as facilitators gain confidence
   

So, Is HyFlex the Future of Corporate Learning?

The HyFlex approach represents more than just a pandemic-era accommodation—it reflects a fundamental shift in how companies approach learning. By offering flexibility while maintaining quality, HyFlex models acknowledge the diversity of working styles and life circumstances within modern workplaces.

When thoughtfully designed, HyFlex creates training experiences that are more accessible, engaging, and effective than traditional single-mode approaches. The initial investment in technology, design, and facilitator development pays off through increased participation, better learning outcomes, and greater business adaptability.

At Smartfirm, we’ve partnered with companies for 25 years to develop innovative learning solutions. Our expertise in creating customized training experiences in all modalities helps clients navigate the complexities while focusing on what matters most: meaningful, accessible learning for every participant, regardless of location or participation mode.

Is your company exploring HyFlex learning? We’d love to hear about your challenges and help you design an approach that works for your unique needs.

References:

[1] Hartzler B, Hinde J, Lang S, Correia N, Yermash J, Yap K, Murphy CM, Ruwala R, Rash CJ, Becker SJ, Garner BR. Virtual Training Is More Cost-Effective Than In-Person Training for Preparing Staff to Implement Contingency Management. J Technol Behav Sci. 2022 Oct 12:1-10. doi: 10.1007/s41347-022-00283-1. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36246531; PMCID: PMC9553630.