Tip #303: Six Employee Training Tips

Studies Show The Most Productive Employees

Are Those With Continued Training.

It is wrong to expect employees to walk in your door already possessing the exact skills and knowledge needed to perform their job. While jobs might share the same title from business to business (e.g. "salesperson") they always differ slightly based on the unique culture every business develops. That is why continued employee education is crucial. To that end, we have prepared six tips to help you get an employee training initiative started.

Click Here To Read Towers Perrin's Workforce Study On Employee Engagement

6 Employee Training Tips To Strengthen Your Team:

Tip #1. View Training As An Investment, Not An Expense - Many businesses dismiss the idea of training because it seems like an expense rather than an investment. This is simply not true. Ultimately, the long-term benefits of employee training far outweigh its immediate costs. And when you factor in the importance of employee retention, the value of training becomes self-evident.

Tip #2. Get Management To Support The Initiative - Obviously, an employee training initiative cannot get off the ground without the support of management. Furthermore, when management gets involved with an initiative, employees tend to show more interest. Otherwise, they might be hesitant and view continued training as a criticism of their skill sets.

Tip #3. Start The Initial Training Program Off Small - Getting in over your head right from the start is a surefire way to see your training program canned immediately. It is best to work the kinks out of the new initiative by starting out small. Benchmarking a developing training program with a handful of employees exposes weaknesses and shortcomings in its design.

Tip #4. Choose Dynamic Instructors To Lead Training - There are really only two options when it comes to employee training instructors: Either you outsource the job and hire a professional trainer or you select a knowledgeable staff member who is charismatic and engaging enough to prove an effective teacher. Either way, the person leading the employee training needs be a capable educator.

Tip #5. Train Employees Throughout The Team - Even employees who have been part of the team for several years can benefit from further training. The worst mentality one can develop is thinking that they have learned everything about their business. Everyone can and should strive to learn more, whether they have just been hired or been around for over a decade.

Tip #6. Measure The Success Of The Employee Training - Measuring the efficacy of your employee training might seem difficult, but it should actually become apparent in a number of ways. If after employee training you notice an increase in profits or employee productivity, take it as a sign that the employee training is pulling the weight of its cost.

Executive Summary: Any businessperson, no matter how senior, not learning in today's fast-paced and competitive economy is sure to fall behind. Additionally, if you are not willing to help hone your employees' skills, who will? Strengthening an asset is never an expense; it is an investment - and your employees are your greatest asset.