The learning and development team at S&P Global, with a strong background in technology, recognised the potential of extended reality (XR) technologies (AR/VR/MR/Spatial Computing) in transforming learning methodologies.

Their passion for learning, coupled with their belief in the power of immersive methodologies to either accelerate or hinder the learning process, led them to explore ways to make training more accessible, engaging, and effective. The goal was to make the onboarding program for new starters innovative, creative, and exciting, and to give useful context to S&P's vision and strategy.

S&P Global was keen to leverage XR technologies to revolutionise their corporate training program. However, they encountered several significant hurdles that made the path forward seem daunting.

• Budget constraints - The initial obstacle was the high cost associated with XR technology and content creation. Implementing these advanced learning strategies required a significant financial investment, which posed a challenge for the team's budget.
• Technological barriers - Another major challenge was the absence of a user-friendly tool in the market that could enable the creation of immersive trainings. The S&P Global team needed a solution that was almost "plug and play," eliminating complex technical hurdles and allowing for straightforward content production.
• Engagement and adoption - Convincing internal and external stakeholders of the superiority of XR methods over traditional eLearning approaches was not straightforward. The team needed to demonstrate clear value and efficacy in these innovative methods to gain widespread acceptance and

     adoption.

This is where ARuVR stepped in as the game changer. By offering an innovative platform that addressed each of these challenges head-on, ARuVR enabled the S&P Global team to

• Overcome budget constraints - ARuVR provided cost-effective XR solutions that fit within the team's budget, making advanced training technologies accessible without compromising on quality.
• Break technological barriers - With ARuVR's intuitive platform, the team could easily create immersive training courses, turning the technological barrier into a bridge for innovation in learning and development.
• Boost engagement and adoption - The compelling and interactive nature of ARuVR's XR content proved its value to stakeholders, showcasing how these cutting-edge methods could surpass traditional training techniques in effectiveness and engagement.
• Ensure seamless content integration - ARuVR's flexible platform facilitated the integration of diverse training materials from different divisions, ensuring a smooth and cohesive learning experience for all employees, particularly new starters.

In the face of these challenges, ARuVR not only provided the solutions the S&P Global team needed, but also propelled them into a new era of corporate training, marked by innovation, engagement, and inclusivity.

With the support of ARuVR, S&P Global successfully implemented

• Hybrid learning approaches - This strategy merged conventional learning techniques with cutting-edge VR/AR technologies, enabling content to be accessible on laptops for added flexibility and convenience.
• Custom content creation - The platform empowered the team to effortlessly craft XR content, facilitating the custom development of learning modules precisely aligned with specific educational goals.
• Cross-division collaboration - ARuVR's tools encourage teamwork across various departments, allowing for the creation of bespoke learning solutions that capture the unique expertise and cultural diversity within S&P Global.
• Leveraging existing assets - By making strategic use of the virtual spaces acquired in the merger, the learning team devised an engaging onboarding process that acquainted new employees with the company's global operations and core values in an immersive manner.

The outcomes included

• Increased engagement - Some 2,500 employees completed the module, demonstrating high engagement levels.
• Enhanced onboarding experience - New employees received a warm welcome through immersive experiences that introduced them to the company's vision, strategy, and values, regardless of their location
• Internal and external recognition - The collaborative effort in creating the module resulted in increased synergy within the organisation and recognition of S&P Global's innovative approach to L&D.
• Culture and knowledge transfer - The use of XR technologies has facilitated a more effective transfer of knowledge and fostered a sense of belonging among employees, aligning them with the company's direction.

Looking ahead, S&P Global plans to continue exploring the potential of XR technologies in L&D on emerging topics such as energy transition, further integrating innovative technologies into learning processes, and expanding the use of XR  to include more practical applications in employee training.