Common Compliance Training Challenges Solved
- Henry McIntosh
- 3 days ago
- 14 min read
Compliance training often feels like a chore, but ignoring it can cost businesses millions. Here’s what you need to know:
The Challenges:
Low Engagement: 70% of employees find compliance training boring, with nearly half failing to engage properly.
Outdated Materials: Scattered or outdated resources lead to errors and costly fines.
Constant Regulation Changes: Rules evolve daily, making annual training ineffective.
Workflow Delays: Compliance reviews often disrupt marketing timelines.
Department Disconnect: Poor collaboration between teams creates inefficiencies and risks.
The Solutions:
Make Training Engaging: Use microlearning, gamification, and tailored content to boost interest.
Centralise Resources: A single, regularly updated platform ensures everyone has access to the latest information.
Continuous Learning: Replace annual sessions with bite-sized updates and automated reminders.
Streamline Workflows: Integrate compliance checks into daily tasks using AI tools and centralised dashboards.
Improve Team Collaboration: Involve compliance early in projects, use AI for objective reviews, and hold regular interdepartmental meetings.
Why It Matters:
Non-compliance costs businesses an average of £4 million per incident. By investing in smarter training and processes, organisations can reduce risks, save time, and improve overall efficiency. Every £1 spent on compliance training can save £1.37 in fines and damages.
Compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties - it’s about building trust and ensuring long-term success.
4 Ways to Level Up Your Compliance Training
Challenge 1: Poor Engagement and Low Completion Rates
A staggering 70% of employees describe compliance training as "boring" [1], with 49% failing to fully engage [6] and 15% merely clicking through without absorbing the material [1]. This lack of interest often stems from how compliance is positioned - many marketing teams treat it as a box-ticking exercise rather than a critical business skill, dooming the training before it even begins.
One major issue is the lack of relevance. Only 37% of organisations customise compliance training to specific job roles [1]. This means marketing professionals often face generic modules that don’t align with their daily responsibilities. For instance, a social media manager doesn’t need the same compliance insights as an IT security specialist. This mismatch leaves employees disengaged and uninterested.
The format of the training also plays a role. Long, text-heavy modules overwhelm learners and make it harder to retain information. Rachel Sweeney from Learning Pool highlights the problem:
Learners are frequently bored by traditional compliance training therefore they tend to switch off. This poses the risk that they will not understand how to act compliantly [8].
Clearly, there’s a need to rethink compliance training to make it more engaging and relevant.
Solution: Create Engaging and Relevant Training
The key to solving these challenges lies in adopting a fresh, marketing-inspired approach to compliance training. As marketing analyst Daniyal Shahid notes:
When you treat compliance like a brand campaign, you make it part of the culture [1].
This means using strategies like internal branding, catchy slogans, and learner personas that reflect the specific challenges and language of the marketing team.
Microlearning is another game-changer. Breaking training into 3–10 minute modules allows busy marketing teams to fit sessions into their packed schedules without disrupting campaign deadlines [10][6]. Adding pre-assessments that let experienced employees skip sections they already know [9] makes the process more efficient, respects their expertise, and reduces frustration.
Real-world examples show this approach works. In November 2023, Sainsbury's introduced a health and safety compliance programme focused on engagement, leading to a 17% drop in absenteeism and a 28% reduction in reportable incidents [6]. Similarly, Zotec Partners replaced traditional modules with a compliance training "escape game" created by L&D Director Jennifer Weldy. The result? A 92% completion rate, with employees calling it the best compliance training they’d ever experienced [11].
Gamification can also play a big role. Features like leaderboards, digital badges, and point systems encourage friendly competition among marketing teams, while storytelling makes abstract rules more relatable. Instead of dry policy summaries, human-centred narratives bring the material to life. Research shows that people remember information delivered through stories up to 22 times more effectively than standalone facts [1].
The financial benefits are just as compelling. For every £1 invested in compliance training, organisations can reduce potential fines and damages by £1.37 [6]. Additionally, 98% of HR leaders agree that personalised training improves compliance and reduces organisational risk [1]. The takeaway? Effective training should be tailored, concise, and genuinely engaging.
Challenge 2: Outdated or Hard-to-Access Training Materials
For compliance to work effectively, training materials must be both up-to-date and easily accessible. When resources are scattered or outdated, marketing teams can unknowingly use unapproved assets, outdated legal terms, or expired campaign elements. These missteps don’t just delay project timelines - they can lead to regulatory investigations and costly fines.
The problem is compounded by how people interact with training materials. Studies reveal that 90% of information from text-heavy training is forgotten within a week, while 34% of employees admit to merely skimming compliance content [12]. Overly detailed procedures, tucked away in hard-to-find locations, disengage employees. New hires are particularly vulnerable, as they often lack quick access to updated protocols, increasing the risk of compliance breaches right from the start [14].
The financial impact of non-compliance is staggering. On average, companies face annual costs of around £11.9 million due to compliance failures [12]. Poor digital archiving only worsens the situation - making it nearly impossible to track who approved an asset or when it was last updated. This highlights the critical need for traceability [13].
Solution: Build a Central Repository with Regular Updates
The solution? A centralised, regularly updated repository. By consolidating all compliance materials into a single platform, such as a Learning Management System (LMS), organisations can ensure that every team member accesses the same, current protocols [15]. Kirstie Coetzee from Access Learning emphasises this point:
Implementing a LMS for compliance is the ideal way to create a streamlined process and keep everything in one place. This will ensure that you are in a position to protect your organisation, employees and customers, whilst abiding by the ever-changing regulations. [15]
The benefits of this approach are clear. For example, Definity, a Canadian insurance company, faced challenges with a legacy system where less than 1% of employees engaged with training materials. It took them 10 months to meet annual compliance goals. After adopting Docebo's AI-powered platform in November 2024, user adoption jumped to over 65%, and they hit their compliance targets in under two months [17]. Similarly, Wave Utilities replaced outdated content with Go1’s regularly updated library, achieving a 98% training completion rate [7].
Modern digital repositories offer round-the-clock, device-friendly access, automated updates, and searchable, role-specific resources [16]. For fast-changing information, one-page job aids can serve as quick reference tools, reducing errors without requiring extensive retraining [18]. The result? Marketing teams can launch campaigns with confidence, knowing they’re supported by accurate, accessible compliance guidance that keeps them on the right track.
Challenge 3: Keeping Pace with Changing Regulations
Regulations are constantly evolving. From updates to GDPR to the FCA's introduction of the new Consumer Duty, the landscape of data protection laws and compliance requirements is in a state of flux. For marketing teams in regulated industries, this creates a tough balancing act: staying compliant while keeping campaigns on track. When new regulations come into play, teams often find themselves scrambling - using outdated messaging or relying on non-compliant data practices, which can leave the business exposed to serious risks. This ever-changing environment calls for a more flexible approach to training.
The consequences of falling behind are serious. In May 2023, Meta faced a €1.2 billion fine for GDPR violations tied to data transfers between Europe and the US [11]. This case shows just how dangerous outdated compliance practices can be. Adding to the pressure, 62% of public company board members reported in 2024 that shifting regulations were directly impacting their ability to execute business strategies [19]. For marketing teams, this often means delayed campaigns, rejected creative ideas, and a constant sense of uncertainty about what’s allowed.
Traditional annual training sessions only make things worse. Regulations often change before these sessions are even completed. David Marshall, MD of Marshalls at Ciphr, explains the problem:
The FCA's new Consumer Duty has implications for financial services providers across many markets... staff will need up-to-date, regular training as part of that to fully understand and implement all these changes effectively [3].
Clearly, relying on yearly training isn’t enough.
Solution: Continuous Learning and Real-Time Updates
The solution lies in moving away from outdated annual training models and adopting a continuous learning approach. Instead of cramming everything into one session, organisations can use bite-sized, ongoing training that fits seamlessly into daily workflows. Modern LMS platforms now automate regulatory updates and send targeted reminders, replacing long, disruptive sessions with quick, 5-minute monthly quizzes or micro-lessons. This method keeps compliance at the forefront without sacrificing productivity [11].
Customising training to specific roles is just as important. Not every marketer needs to master every regulation. For example, those dealing with customer data require focused GDPR training, while others working on financial promotions need updates tailored to the FCA. By tailoring content to the needs of different roles, teams can avoid wasting time on irrelevant material and focus on what’s essential. Some organisations are even adopting a ‘menu’ system, where 40% of modules are mandatory and 60% are elective. This approach not only ensures compliance but also gives employees more control over their learning, creating a more engaged and prepared workforce - a far cry from the one-size-fits-all approach that often leaves teams either overwhelmed or unprepared [3].
Challenge 4: Compliance Disconnected from Marketing Workflows
When compliance operates outside the marketing workflow, it often creates delays. Teams complete their creative work only to hit a pause for external review - slowing down campaigns and missing critical deadlines. This approach treats compliance as a last-minute hurdle instead of an integrated process, costing marketing teams both time and efficiency. These delays not only disrupt campaign progress but also compromise the thoroughness of compliance checks.
A staggering 78% of marketing teams face at least one type of compliance requirement [22]. However, 70% of marketing leaders admit they lack a formal process for managing these reviews, and only 6% of brands and agencies use automation to streamline regulatory oversight [21]. Shockingly, 75% of data breaches in large organisations result from staff errors rather than external threats [22]. When compliance checks are left until the end, teams often rush to meet deadlines, leading to corner-cutting or risky assumptions about what’s acceptable. Compounding the issue, 82% of marketers believe their expertise allows them to bypass formal reviews, while 79% complain that the current review process is overly lengthy and complex [5].
Solution: Integrate Compliance into Daily Workflows
To address these challenges, compliance needs to be woven into the fabric of marketing workflows. Just as centralised resources and effective training improve compliance, embedding reviews directly into the workflow keeps campaigns moving smoothly. Instead of tacking compliance onto the end, it should be considered from the very beginning - starting with the creative brief. Automating workflows can route content to the right specialists - whether legal, brand, or regulatory - following a predefined sequence. This eliminates the need for manual follow-ups and ensures no step is overlooked [20][2].
AI-powered tools are also making compliance checks more efficient. These tools can scan copy and design elements during production, flagging high-risk language, outdated disclaimers, or expired licences before the content even reaches the review stage [20][2]. This proactive approach catches mistakes early, when they’re easier to fix, rather than derailing an entire campaign. In fact, automation has been shown to reduce compliance review times by up to 90% [23].
Centralised dashboards further simplify the process by cutting through the chaos of multiple versions. Instead of searching through endless email threads or Slack messages for feedback, teams can use a single platform where all assets, comments, and approvals are stored [22][23]. Standardised templates ensure only authorised reviewers are involved [21], while checklists require reviewers to log their approval reasons, creating audit trails that meet regulatory requirements without adding extra paperwork [21].
For industries with strict regulations, such as financial services or pharmaceuticals, tools like Veeva Vault PromoMats or AdComplyRx provide tailored solutions. These platforms integrate asset management systems with built-in regulatory checks, ensuring only the final, approved version of an asset is available for distribution [2][23]. By embedding compliance into daily workflows, it becomes less of a roadblock and more of a seamless part of the process - protecting the organisation while keeping campaigns on track.
Challenge 5: Weak Collaboration Between Departments
When marketing, compliance, and legal teams operate in silos, the result is often a clash of priorities and inconsistent practices. Marketing prioritises speed and creativity, while compliance focuses on caution and thoroughness. This divide is stark, with 80% of marketing and compliance professionals describing their relationship as an "us vs. them" scenario [5]. Additionally, 82% of compliance respondents believe marketing teams fail to grasp the importance of adhering to regulations [5].
The fallout from this disconnect can be significant. Poor communication between departments means marketing might unknowingly breach regulations, while compliance struggles to keep up with the fast-paced demands of modern campaigns. Both teams work towards their own goals - engagement for marketing and risk minimisation for compliance - without aligning their efforts. The issue is further complicated by the subjectivity of compliance reviews. 81% of marketers and 89% of compliance professionals agree that the review process needs to be less subjective [5]. Without clear and objective criteria, these reviews often become contentious, fostering mistrust and making collaboration even harder. These issues highlight the urgent need for a more integrated approach to teamwork.
Solution: Build Cross-Team Collaboration
Addressing these challenges requires collaboration to start early in the campaign development process, with compliance processes seamlessly integrated into marketing workflows. The key is to involve compliance and legal teams right from the campaign briefing stage rather than waiting until the final approval phase. This early involvement helps identify potential risks before production begins, saving time and preventing costly revisions. Assigning dedicated liaisons in each department can also streamline communication, providing quick guidance on ambiguous areas without the need for formal meetings.
Regular interdepartmental meetings and informal sessions can help both sides stay aligned. These gatherings allow marketing teams to better understand regulatory requirements, while compliance teams gain insight into the creative and time pressures marketers face. Technology can also play a pivotal role here. 95% of marketers and 93% of legal/compliance professionals believe AI-based tools could enhance the review process [5]. By offering real-time, objective feedback, these tools reduce friction from subjective judgements. For example, automated compliance tools can deliver feedback up to 6× faster than manual reviews, potentially saving legal teams 8 hours per campaign [5].
To further strengthen collaboration, teams can conduct quarterly joint audits of past campaigns. These reviews not only highlight recurring mistakes but also provide valuable learning opportunities. By turning archived campaigns into training resources, both teams can work together to refine processes and avoid repeating errors in future projects.
Building a Compliance-First Culture
To truly integrate compliance into the fabric of an organisation, it needs to be more than just a checkbox exercise - it must become a shared value across all operations. While improving training is a critical step, the real shift happens when compliance is embraced as a core part of the company culture. Interestingly, while 95% of organisations aim to create a compliance-first culture, less than 23% of employees rate their training as top-notch [24]. Bridging this gap calls for measurable efforts, clear incentives, and strong leadership. Here’s how these elements can help weave compliance into a company’s identity.
Measurement and Incentives
The Kirkpatrick Model offers a structured way to evaluate training by looking at four key areas: Reaction, Learning, Behaviour, and Results. This framework goes beyond simply tracking completion rates to assess whether training is genuinely influencing workplace behaviour.
The financial case for compliance training is also hard to overlook. For every £1 spent on such training, organisations can expect a reduction in fines, damages, and settlements worth £1.37 [6]. Considering that a single non-compliance event can cost an organisation around £3.2 million in lost revenue (based on the US average of $4 million, converted to local currency) [7], the potential savings are substantial.
Incentives can also play a big role in making compliance more engaging. Gamified elements like digital badges, leaderboards, and experience points encourage friendly competition among employees. Public recognition through company channels or even small prizes for early completion of training can reinforce positive habits. Certification programmes that tie compliance to performance reviews or career progression provide employees with a clear reason to stay engaged.
Gamification and Leadership Support
Gamification is a proven way to boost engagement and retention. In fact, 72% of professionals say gamification motivates them to work harder [7]. Activities like escape rooms, puzzles, and simulations not only make training more interactive but also help employees retain information better, shifting the perception of training from a burden to an opportunity.
Leadership support is equally crucial. When executives and managers actively participate in training and model ethical behaviour, it sends a powerful message that compliance is everyone’s responsibility. Hilton provides a great example of this. By embedding ethical behaviour into its leadership and compliance initiatives, the company secured the top spot on the "Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For" list in 2025. Impressively, 95% of Hilton employees agreed that their management acts with honesty and integrity [25]. This kind of leadership sets the tone for the entire organisation, making compliance a shared priority.
Conclusion
Compliance training doesn’t have to be a roadblock for marketing teams. In fact, every £1 spent on compliance training can reduce risk by £1.37 [6], while a single instance of non-compliance can cost businesses a staggering £3.2 million in lost revenue [7].
The strategies we’ve discussed turn compliance into more than just a box-ticking exercise - they transform it into a powerful tool. Whether it’s through creating engaging, role-specific training or seamlessly integrating compliance into day-to-day workflows, these approaches go beyond avoiding fines. They help foster a workplace culture where compliance strengthens your brand, earns customer trust, and empowers marketing teams to thrive in regulated industries. As William Brown, Head of Learning Consultancy at Elucidat, aptly says:
Compliance training is not about proving you've told your employees something is important and given them the rulebook. It's about persuading them of the importance of avoiding breaches and of their role in that [4].
By adopting these measures, organisations don’t just reduce risks - they build a proactive compliance culture that drives long-term success. With leadership backing, smart use of technology, and a well-thought-out strategy, companies practising continuous compliance are already seeing results: 75% of them report their training programmes as key contributors to business growth [17].
For marketing leaders, the takeaway is clear. Implementing changes like AI-driven risk detection, gamified learning, and fostering collaboration across departments can lead to faster campaign rollouts, better efficiency, and less stress over regulations. The aim? A workplace where compliance isn’t an afterthought but a seamless part of daily operations, driving progress and innovation.
FAQs
How does gamification make compliance training more engaging for employees?
Gamification brings a fresh twist to compliance training by adding interactive elements like points, badges, leaderboards, and storytelling. These features tap into people's natural drive for competition and achievement, encouraging employees to engage more actively and stick with the training until it's completed.
What makes this approach stand out is the combination of immediate feedback and a lively learning environment. This not only boosts knowledge retention but also helps employees grasp compliance principles more effectively and apply them confidently in their day-to-day work. It turns what could feel like a dull, routine task into something genuinely enjoyable and rewarding.
How does integrating compliance checks into daily workflows benefit organisations?
Integrating compliance checks into everyday tasks shifts them from occasional obligations to consistent, built-in habits. This approach ensures that regulatory requirements are met in real time, cutting down on reliance on memory and reducing the risk of human error - one of the main causes of compliance issues. For example, simple prompts, like confirming data privacy before sending an email, help weave compliance into daily routines.
This method offers several advantages, such as lowering the risk of financial penalties or operational setbacks, boosting employee confidence, and fostering a workplace culture centred on ethical decision-making. By simplifying compliance processes, employees can stay focused on their core responsibilities without the need for frequent, time-consuming training sessions, resulting in greater productivity and uniformity.
For businesses operating in heavily regulated sectors, experts like Twenty One Twelve Marketing can create customised workflows that break down complex compliance requirements into manageable, measurable daily practices.
Why is ongoing compliance training more effective than annual sessions?
Regular compliance training ensures employees consistently refresh their understanding of key principles, helping them stay aligned with changing regulations. Unlike annual sessions, which are often spaced too far apart and result in knowledge fading, ongoing training reinforces important concepts more effectively.
This continuous approach helps organisations encourage meaningful behavioural shifts, minimise compliance risks, and prepare their teams to confidently handle the challenges of intricate regulatory landscapes.
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