At first glance, off-the-shelf training seems like a smart move. It’s fast, relatively affordable, and “good enough” to check the box. But in today’s evolving learning landscape, especially in healthcare, life sciences, and professional development, “good enough” can be a costly compromise.

If you're relying solely on generic learning solutions to train your teams, onboard employees, or deliver continuing education, it’s time to take a closer look at the long game.

Because here’s the truth: Cookie-cutter courses are costing you more than you think.

When Learning Feels Like a Checkbox

Off-the-shelf training options have flooded the market, and for good reason. They’re often:

Quick to deploy
Low in cost
Broadly applicable

But here’s what you’re likely sacrificing:

Learner engagement. Generic content often lacks context or relevance. Learners check out quickly when material doesn’t reflect their day-to-day work.
Behavior change. If your goal is improved clinical outcomes, compliance, or upskilling, broad content often misses the mark.
Brand alignment. Training that doesn’t reflect your organization’s values, tone, or workflows can create confusion—or worse, disengagement.
Credibility. Learners notice when training feels outdated or disconnected from reality. That impacts trust in your brand, your leadership, and your learning culture.

So while cookie-cutter courses may save time upfront, they can quietly erode the very outcomes you're trying to achieve.

Custom Content: Designed to Stick

Custom-designed courses aren’t about bells and whistles, they’re about precision and purpose. At RevitalizED Instructional Design by Meeting Achievements (RID), our custom work is built from the ground up to align with your learners, your goals, and your mission.

Here’s what you gain with a tailored approach:

Relevance: Courses that reflect your real scenarios, teams, and terminology.
Efficiency: Targeted learning means faster retention and less time wasted.
Alignment: Every element of the course reinforces your strategic goals.
Measurement: Data that actually tells you something, beyond completion rates.
Flexibility: Modular content that can scale, evolve, or be repurposed.

In short: custom content helps you achieve outcomes that matter.

But What If You’re Not Ready for Custom?

Here’s where we break the binary thinking: Custom doesn’t have to be the only option, or even the first step.

Not every team is ready to dive into a fully custom solution, and that’s okay. Maybe you:

Need something yesterday and don’t have time for a full build
Have budget constraints but still want something better than a generic course
Want to pilot a training before committing to full-scale development
Need a strong starting point to adapt internally

That’s why RID also offers ready-to-use templates and customizable course kits. These aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re professionally designed, evidence-informed frameworks you can personalize, adapt, and grow from.

Custom vs. Template: What’s Right for You?

The best part? You can start with one and grow into the other.

How We Help You Choose (And Evolve)

At RID, we meet you where you are, but we don’t leave you there. Whether you need a custom onboarding solution, a ready-to-go compliance training, or a hybrid of both, we’ll help you map your needs and design a learning strategy that works for your team.

You might start with one of our pre-built templates to meet an immediate need. Down the road, you may want a custom experience that dives deeper, ties into performance goals, or enhances your CME/CE efforts.

Either way, you’re not choosing between “basic” and “best.” You’re choosing between what’s right now and what’s right next.

Final Thought: Don’t Let “Easy” Override “Effective”

In learning, shortcuts can come at a cost. But smart scaffolding? That’s a strategy.

So whether you're ready to go custom or just need a solid starting point, let’s build a learning solution that reflects your values, your voice, and your vision.

Templates when you need speed. Custom when you need strategy.

RevitalizED Instructional Design when you need both.

Polly Grieger-Rossi, CMP-HC, CMM, HMCC

The Hidden Cost of Cookie-Cutter Learning (And Why Custom Isn’t Your Only Option)