Spark & Co: What To Expect When You Hire One Of The Top Learning Development Companies?

More and more organizations are outsourcing their training to learning development companies.  But what can you expect when you search for a training partner?  Using the example of Spark + Co., one of North America’s top learning and development companies, with their head office on the west coast of Canada, I take a deep dive into what you should expect.  Spark + Co. is an excellent example, as they have been one of the pioneering elearning companies in Canada for nearly two decades (well before Covid!).  So, they provide many invaluable insights and perspectives, including which organizations shouldn’t hire them for their training needs!

Services Provided by Learning And Development Companies

When looking for learning and development companies, you’ll want to find ones with a depth and breadth of experience and expertise designed to cater to your organizational learning needs.  These services should support your organization’s objectives and mission, improve performance, enhance skills, and foster personal and professional growth.  Below is a list of services commonly provided by these companies, including Spark + Co:

Training Strategy and Consulting

• Training Strategies
• Training Needs Assessments: Auditing your training capabilities and needs and identifying gaps and solutions

Instructional Design And Content Development

• Custom E-Learning Development: Creating tailor-made online courses and training modules specific to the needs of an organization
• Microlearning: Offering short, focused training modules to teach specific skills or concepts
• Elearning Content Development: Researching and creating content for your course
• Competency-Based Training: Designing training to meet specific competencies or skills an organization views as critical for success
• Content Localization and Translation: Adapting learning content to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of a global workforce

Learning Technology And Delivery

• Learning Management System (LMS) Implementation: Assisting with the selection, customization, and management of LMS software to deliver, track, and manage training programs
• Blended Learning Programs: Combining online digital media with traditional classroom methods to provide a comprehensive learning experience
• Video and Animation Production for Learning: Creating engaging video and animation content to enhance learning experiences
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Learning Experiences: Designing immersive and interactive learning experiences using VR and AR technologies
• Instructor-Led Training/Live Virtual Training: Providing face-to-face or virtual classroom training facilitated by experienced instructors, including train-the-trainer programs

Ongoing Support And Optimization

• Marketing Strategies for Online Courses: Develop strategies to ensure learners and potential learners find your course while also developing pricing strategies for courses you sell
• Post-Launch Support and Course Maintenance: Top learning development companies will support courses during the launch phase and periodic updating and maintenance to ensure current content

Spark + Co.’s Unique Approach

With decades of experience as one of North America’s leading learning and development companies, Spark + Co. has developed a unique but proven approach and process.  As one of the top elearning companies in Canada, they create instructional products for their clients tailored to attain organizational results and change behaviour.

The Spark + Co. Approach

In addition to their extensive experience, four distinctive approaches differentiate Spark + Co. from many other learning development companies:

• a collaborative, trusted partner
• a product approach to developing training solutions
• a proven process and
• dependable leadership and project management

Collaborative, Trusted Partners

Spark + Co. take a collaborative approach and works alongside your organization as a strategic partner.  Rather than producing generic courses, they partner with you to enable you to make strategic decisions in the best interests of your organization.  As a result, they have become one of the top elearning companies in Canada, which also serves many clients in the USA.  The outcome is a training product that solves a defined challenge.  And which helps support your organization’s goals.

There are many interactive, exciting ways to engage your learners.  However, real-life constraints also need to be considered.  With enough time and money, you can build anything imaginable.  But, all organizations have budget, resource, and/or technology limitations.  Spark + Co. believe that going into a project with a strong vision is essential.  As your partner, they develop a shared understanding of what you can do and what will work for your content and users.

A Product Approach To Creating Instructional Products

Spark + Co. doesn’t just build training courses.  What makes Spark + Co. different from other learning and development companies or custom elearning companies in Canada is that they combine product and instructional design services to create a great instructional product.  They work collaboratively with their clients to develop programs that combine instructional design with a product development approach.

Most learning development companies focus solely on the instructional design – but Spark + Co. elevates the adoption of your online training by also focusing on product development considerations.  Using their expertise and knowledge of instructional design, they add innovative approaches from product designers and developers.  It ensures that your organization’s instructional product is effective and delivers value for your target audience.

Proven Processes For Learning Development Companies

With their decades of experience as one of the first elearning companies in Canada, Spark + Co. have developed a proven process for elearning course design that combines the best of traditional methods, such as ADDIE, with modern agile processes and technologies that adapt to changes in real-time and prioritize collaboration.

As one of the leading learning development companies, they work collaboratively with subject matter experts.  Working together, they determine what you need to achieve, develop the learning objectives, and map out the instructional activities and development required.

Proven Process from one of the most established elearning companies in Canada

Dependable Leadership + Project Management

Most training development projects involve coordinating numerous activities, people and resources over multiple weeks or months.  While top learning and development companies will have standardized processes, every project is different and has unique circumstances and issues to resolve.  This requires experienced, proven leadership to ensure a successful outcome.

As expected, Spark + Co., one of the leading elearning companies in North America, has instructional designers with decades of experience leading projects.  Over the years, they’ve seen, experienced and overcome countless challenges and circumstances.  At Spark + Co., they typically manage projects within a fixed budget and timeline.  If circumstances change, they will access your available options, using their knowledge and experience to develop creative but pragmatic solutions.  It’s one of the advantages of having experienced and proven leadership.

Project Management

While nothing can replace the benefits of proven leadership, an established project management process can add significant value.  At Spark + Co., a streamlined and collaborative approach to project management ensures that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and to the highest quality standards.  This is achieved through a combination of proven methodologies, transparent processes, and consistent communication.

Easy-to-use online tools provide real-time project updates, including:

• Measurable milestones to track progress
• Tasks assigned with clear ownership and deadlines to ensure accountability
• Regular check-ins
• Client reviews
• Transparent reporting
• Dedicated points of contact
• Collaborative feedback loops
• Quality control processes
• Client signoffs at key stages
• Time and budget tracking

Real-time project management processes of learning and development companies

“Spark and Co was a lifesaver.  They stepped in at the last minute when it seemed as though we weren’t going to be able to complete our curriculum on time.  Holly and her team provided guidance and offered out of the box solutions that not only delivered our project on time, but provided us with a product that we are proud of.  Their expertise, professionalism and general know-how was a breath of fresh air.”

Cannabis Compliance Inc.

Clients Spark + Co Serves And Ones They Don’t

Spark + Co is one of the B2B learning development companies serving

• Small + Medium-Sized Enterprises
• Non-Profits + Government Agencies
• Colleges + University Institutes

focusing on training for organizations, often involving more complex topics, longer courses, and personalized learning paths.  They do not create online training for individual consumers, nor do they create generic courses.  All their work focuses on creating bespoke, custom training solutions.

As a strategic partner working with their elearning clients, Spark + Co.’s niche is innovative small and medium-sized enterprises or specialized departments within large organizations.  Suppose you’re a large organization looking for extra contractors to enter data into pre-designed templates and aren’t open to innovative and incisive strategies.  In that case, you’re better off looking at other learning development companies.  As one of the leaders of the elearning companies in Canada, they excel at being involved at the strategic training design level at the start, helping steer you in the right direction before dropping down to executing the development of your new training product.

Spark + Co. has extensive experience across many subject matter areas and a large network of experts they work with to draw upon if your organization doesn’t possess the necessary expertise.

“Spark + Co. is our online training partner, and we love working with them.  Experts in their field they think out of the box and find practical, engaging solutions for our business and our clients.”

Director Client Solutions in Marketing, Branding & Business Development, Realize Solutions

Considerations When Evaluating Learning And Development Companies

Evaluating learning development companies to work with your organization isn’t something to take lightly.  It requires some focused effort to unearth and find the right partner for your organization.  While you’ll want to examine their expertise, portfolios, and processes, you also need to understand what level of engagement you require.  For example, are you looking for a company that can understand your organizational challenges and lead and guide you through the process of creating your training solution?  Or do you need a freelancer who can provide a little extra capacity to complete your project?

Other considerations include:

• The constraints you have for your project and which learning and development companies offer solutions to overcome or minimize these
• Do you want a partner that you can work with now and potentially in the future, or are you looking for a cheap and cheerful solution for your immediate problem and the quality of the instruction isn’t your primary concern
• Are you ready and willing to consider instructional design guidance from experts who might suggest some novel approaches to enhance your solution?
• Is there a good cultural fit between your organization and at least one of the learning development companies you’re considering?

Others have written extensively about techniques, qualities and traps to avoid when hiring learning development companies, including 10 Qualities and Skills of a Great Instructional Design Company, Traps To Avoid When Hiring An Instructional Designer, How To Select The Best Instructional Design Company,  How Do You Find A Great Instructional Design Company?

What To Expect When You Hire Learning Development Companies

Once you hire one of the learning development companies to work with you on your project, what can you expect over the coming weeks and months?  Often, there are several stages in the development of a training product, and there are many steps along the way.  Below are typical activities from Spark + Co. and other experienced learning and development companies.

Phase 1 – Analysis

• Kick-off meeting
• Review and analysis of your content, audience, requirements and constraints
• Development of an instructional strategy and an outline
• Client review of the strategy and client signoff
• Development of a design document

Phase 2 – Creative and Instructional Design

• Storyboard development
• Client review and feedback on the Storyboard
• Creation of final Storyboard and client signoff

Phase 3 – Development

• Content development (if required) with client feedback
• Development of the initial draft of the course
• Client review and feedback
• Media production: videos, graphics, animations
• Development of the second draft of the course
• Script preparation
• Voice casting and recording
• Production of any additional media
• Development of final draft course
• Client review, feedback and signoff
• Production of the final course

Phase 4 – Launch

• Testing on the hosting site
• Quality Assurance
• Preparation of any marketing approaches to accompany the course
• Final project signoff and training product launch

Your staff are involved in several steps during the process.  You will be required to provide feedback along the way and sign off at various stages for the project to proceed to the next stage.  Learning development companies like Spark + Co. regularly work with stakeholders and subject matter experts to review and provide feedback or develop content.

Final Thoughts On Learning Development Companies

Choosing the right learning and development companies to partner with can have a lasting impact on the success of your training initiative—and, ultimately, your organization’s performance.  With the right partner, you gain more than just a service provider—you gain a strategic ally who brings deep expertise, a collaborative mindset, and a proven process to create training that moves the needle and makes change.  Whether you need a custom e-learning solution, guidance on instructional strategy, or end-to-end course development, Spark + Co., one of the top elearning companies in Canada, delivers practical, innovative, and scalable solutions that align with your goals.  So, as you evaluate your options, look beyond the surface—consider the partnership, process, and potential.  That’s what sets top-tier learning development companies apart.

Simon Fuelber

Simon Fuelber is a learning and leadership development leader with over 20 years of experience across corporate, consulting, and startup environments.  Born in Vancouver, Canada and based in Berlin, Germany, since 2012, he brings a global perspective to building practical, people-focused development solutions.  As the Global Head, Learning & Leadership Development at Smartly, he helps individuals and teams grow through learning in the flow of work—recognizing that the most meaningful growth isn’t always easy.  Simon is known for his thoughtful, collaborative approach and passion for making work more human.  Outside work, he enjoys baseball, street hockey, and reconnecting with Canada on his trips home.

An Invitation to Collaborate

As one of the first elearning companies in Canada and North America at Spark + Co., we have decades of experience designing online instructional products for organizations that want to change behaviours and/or enhance an organization’s performance.  You can find more information on our website or book a complimentary consultation.  During this 30-minute conversation, one of our expert instructional designers will answer your questions and suggest how to tackle your current challenge or next project.  There’s no obligation, but it allows you an opportunity to check us out and get some free advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1.  What do learning development companies do?

Learning and development companies design, develop, and deliver training solutions to help organizations enhance skills, support employee development, and achieve performance goals.  Services often include custom e-learning, training needs assessments, instructor-led training, LMS support, and evaluation services.

2.  Why should my organization hire learning and development companies?

Organizations typically hire learning and development companies due to:

• Limited internal expertise or resources
• Need for faster, more efficient course development
• Strategic training requirements that go beyond generic content
• A desire for high-quality, customized learning experiences

3.  How is Spark + Co. different from other learning development companies?

Spark + Co. stands out by the approach it takes to its instructional design services:

• Taking a collaborative, strategic partner approach
• Blending instructional design with a product mindset
• Following a proven, adaptable process rooted in both ADDIE and Agile methods
• Focusing exclusively on custom solutions for B2B SMEs, non-profits, government agencies, and colleges and university institutions

4.  What is the process when working with Spark + Co.?

The process for elearning course design includes four main phases:

1. Analysis – Kick-off, audience/content review, instructional strategy
2. Design – Storyboarding and instructional/creative design
3. Development – Content production, media creation, client reviews
4. Launch – Testing, QA, and course deployment

Each phase includes multiple client touchpoints for feedback and approval.

5.  How long does a typical training development project take?

Timelines vary based on project scope, content readiness, interactivity levels, and client availability.  Projects may range from a few weeks (for microlearning) to a few months (for full course development).  Spark + Co. provides clear, real-time Gantt charts and timelines during project planning.

6.  What if we don’t have our content fully ready?

No problem!  As one of the full-service learning development companies in North America, Spark + Co. offers elearning content development, including:

• Curriculum development
• Content research
• Subject matter expert collaboration – We can help you shape raw materials into a compelling, learner-friendly experience.

7.  Can Spark + Co. support LMS implementation or integration?

Yes.  We help clients select, configure, and integrate learning management systems (LMS) or provide hosting support for clients who lack internal IT resources.  Our team also ensures seamless course deployment and learner access.

8.  Do you offer support after the course is launched?

Absolutely. Spark + Co. provides post-launch support including:

• Bug fixes and course updates
• Maintenance for content accuracy and compliance
• Advice on learner engagement and marketing strategies

9.  Can you help us market and promote our course?

Yes, especially for customer education and public-facing courses.  How to market an online course is a service we offer that most learning development companies don’t provide.  We help you:

• Define your value proposition
• Develop course marketing strategies
• Establish pricing models
• Leverage bundling and upsells to increase reach and ROI

10.  Is Spark + Co. a good fit for our organization?

Spark + Co. is one of the top elearning companies in Canada.  We’re a great fit if:

• You value strategic, high-impact training
• You’re open to collaborative design and innovative approaches
• You’re looking for custom (not generic) training solutions

11.  How do we get started with Spark + Co.?

You can start by booking a complimentary 30-minute consultation.  We’ll discuss your training goals, assess your needs, and suggest how to move forward—no pressure or obligation.