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From two platforms to one solution: How MBD simplified compliance training

MBD was paying for two different learning platforms with no overlap—one for the UK, one for the US. Compliance training took 1-2 hours and employees struggled to fit it into their workday.

Statistics Boxes
50%+
Training Time
Reduction
2→1
Platforms Unified
UK & US
46+
Day Learning
Streaks

The Challenge: Two Platforms, Double the Cost, Half the Engagement

When Gary joined MBD as HR Manager, he inherited a compliance training system that was neither efficient nor effective. The company was caught in an impossible situation: split operations between the UK and US meant paying for two completely separate learning platforms with zero overlap in content or functionality.
The financial burden was mounting, and employee engagement was at rock bottom.
"We went to some of the big learning providers with learning platforms," Gary recalls. "We had an immediate challenge. We've got half the company in the UK and half in the US. We had to have two different platforms because there was no overlap. So that meant we were paying for two products." The pricing structure made matters worse—each training module came with its own price tag. For harassment training, they'd pay one fee. Need something else? That's another charge. "It could get expensive quickly which for a business of our size with just over 100 employees meant it was a stretch."
The training itself was deeply problematic. Compliance courses ran anywhere between one and two hours—an impossible ask for busy employees. "For most of our employees who are active on their daily workload all day long to take an hour or two out of their day would just mean that the work stacked up," Gary explains. Some employees reported the training was actually lengthening their workday, as they'd have to catch up on work afterwards.
Beyond the time commitment, the platforms themselves were frustratingly difficult to use. Simple tasks like checking who'd completed training or identifying who hadn't started became navigation nightmares. "They were not user friendly," Gary notes bluntly.
Perhaps worst of all, the training simply wasn't engaging. "Whilst I won't say it was all poor quality, it wasn't something that engaged our employees, it wasn't something that excited them," Gary admits. Year after year, he found himself in the same position: "As HR I spent every year just trying to drag everybody through the training, get it done, tick the box, move on."
Gary didn't feel good about it. He wanted something that would excite employees, something that would work seamlessly for both UK and US teams. Most importantly, he wanted a solution that wouldn't require dragging people through mandatory training. Something had to change.

 
Industry
Packaging Design / Brand Strategy
 
No. of employees
100 - 125
 
Location
Beverly, MA (USA) with offices in San Diego, Phoenix, Shenzhen, and Wakefield, UK
 
About: MBD (Marketing by Design) is a leading packaging design firm specializing in brand strategy, packaging design, and artwork production for retail and private label brands. Founded in 1990, MBD has built an international reputation for helping store brands create packaging that stands out on shelf. With offices across the US, UK, and China, they integrate creative strategy with enterprise workflow solutions to manage large-scale product rollouts, producing over 12,000 SKUs annually. Their client portfolio includes major retailers like Sprouts Farmers Market, WinCo Foods, PriceSmart, and Smart & Final. MBD's tri-focus approach—creative strategy, award-winning design, and production artwork—positions them as a trusted partner for retailers looking to build distinctive brand identities that drive ROI.
MBD Case Study - Training Transformation

From Two Platforms to One Unified Solution

How MBD Simplified Compliance Training with Engaging Microlearning

The Solution: Microlearning That Actually Engages

BEFORE
💰 Paying for two separate platforms - one for UK, one for US
1-2 hour compliance training sessions that lengthened workdays
💸 Per-training pricing model that got expensive quickly
😴 Long, unengaging content - "dragging everybody through training"
🔧 Difficult to navigate platforms - not user-friendly
AFTER
🌍 One platform works for both UK and US employees
Bite-sized microlearning - short, chunked content
📦 Whole package included - compliance plus unlimited learning
🎯 Highly engaging - employees actually using and exploring it
AI tool to upload custom content and create slide decks
Testimonial Quote
"
The first and absolutely most important improvement is that people are using it. We've got employees on there rather than being dragged kicking and screaming to do what we need them to do. They're already engaging with the platform itself. That's a massive win for us.
"
Gary Stevens
Gary Stevens
HR Manager, MBD
CTA Section - Packaging Training

Ready to Transform Your Compliance Training Like MBD Did?

Discover how microlearning can replace two platforms with one unified solution, cut training time in half, and turn compliance from a checkbox exercise into engaging content your employees actually want to complete.

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