Effective learning and development tools are important in spreading and consolidating knowledge within any pharmaceutical or biotechnology company. Medical communications professionals may be involved in creating training materials for many purposes, from disseminating scientific concepts to helping employees refine their customer engagement skills. Creating effective training solutions that offer the right training and development opportunities for the intended audience may require harnessing a blend of virtual, self-directed, and face-to-face approaches, and will almost certainly entail an understanding of the principles of instructional design. eLearning will often form the core of a training programme, offering flexibility for both employer and learner. However, despite the current focus on digital materials, face-to-face training remains essential in any well-rounded learning approach. Whatever the training method, to ensure that newly-acquired knowledge becomes embedded, the content of each training element must be written in a style that suits the learning needs and delivery method.