Purpose: While synchronous and asynchronous distance education options have fulfilled the promise to reduce travel costs and decrease the number of human resources necessary for training delivery, many corporations are faced with the need to produce learning even at a faster pace in order to gain and sustain competitive advantage. This means a paradigm shift in the distance education arena: in order to reduce the time to produce and deliver training, subject matter experts (SMEs) are asked to step up to the plate and assume additional roles in the instructional design process. This research addresses these issues. Design/methodology/approach: This research, conducted within the training department of a large telecommunications company, focuses on enabling SMEs to teach online, using synchronous instructional methods and a rapid e-learning approach. Findings: Based on student performance records and satisfaction survey results, it was concluded that SMEs are able to reduce training development time, deliver workshops online and maintain acceptable quality of instruction. SMEs' training background did not impact student achievement or satisfaction. Practical implications for corporate training development related to synchronous online training are also included. Originality/value: The originality of the paper resides in the fact that the guidelines that emerged from this research are a step forward towards the expansion of rapid e-learning as it applies to synchronous online training and to helping SMEs to teach online. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)