In our last post we discussed several reasons why training is vital for the success of any business. However, there are many areas that need training and the challenge is to choose the most important topics for our businesses. As budgets are limited, companies need to selectively choose the most relevant topics, and those that will produce the greatest return on investment. Another question to be asked is, What vehicle or medium is appropriate for employee training?
In this post we will explore some ways to select training areas and methods.
Selecting Areas to Train
Determining the areas in which to provide training requires an evaluation of those areas of your business that can create opportunities for growth. Once they have been identified, you can then begin providing the training to capitalize on them. On the flipside, you need to see where potential liabilities might lie and train employees to avoid them.
Core Activities Training
This includes training to keep your employees updated in the areas in whcih they work. For example, if you are a software provider and your programmers need to learn cutting-edge programming language or tools, you should consider providing them with a few days of training. With their new found skills, they will provide more comprehensive services and enhance your software products.
If your business is service oriented or customer-facing, programs to educate your employees on how best to interact with customers is essential. Communication, customer service, listening skills, and more are all things that need continual review and brushing-up. The quality of your service will reflect the amount of training your employees receive in these areas.
Management Training
Managers certainly need to be educated on the myriad issues they deal with daily. From motivating staff to managing difficult employees, the list of issues is immense. Providing ongoing education, for even just one or two hours a month, will ensure that your managers learn leadership kills, working with diverse cultures, hiring/firing, discrimination, work laws, safety and more.
In all areas, it’s important for senior management to listen to managers and employees and hear what they think is important. As they are your people on the ground, they are likely well attuned to what they really need to learn.
Selecting a Training Medium
Providing in-person training is definitely ideal with all participants interacting and engaging each other. However, this is not always feasible. In large companies with teams of employees scattered across the globe, sometime using E-learning or webinars will be a highly effective option.
As always, working with your employees to discover what methods work best for them will ensure they learn what they need to.
Creating a Training Program
It is not always practical for small employers to create and implement their own training programs, as the time, staff, and financial resources required are not always available. Procuring the services of an outside training firm is usually a more cost-effective and practical solution. For more information on CPEhr’s Management Training Courses, please contact us at 877-842-4987.
