Properly training staff leads to employees with new skills that can improve production, cut time spent in creation of your product (or service), reduce production costs, reduce mistakes, build confidence in your staff, and create a better working environment. An investment in developing your employees’ skill set is an investment in your company. Using the BASIC training method allows you to easily develop a cost-effective continuous training program within your business.
Be inclusive
Ask your staff for their ideas about the type of training they would like to receive. You may not be able to see what areas your staff need to work on most. By getting them involved, you’ll be able to provide the tools they need to improve their skills. Highly skilled employees will always yield better results for your business. Even if you can’t incorporate every suggestion into the training program, including employees in the process has a powerful effect. It makes your employees feel seen and lets them know their opinions matter. Your staff will work ten times harder for you when they feel like they’re important and valued by the team.
Alternative training methods
Technology is constantly evolving, presenting us with new ways to learn new skills. You should regularly search for the latest training tools, such as relevant apps and online courses. Free courses are available across many academic and professional websites. Remember that training doesn’t always have to be technical. Consider bringing in guest speakers from businesses and colleges; they can discuss their expertise and provide a different type of learning opportunity to your staff.
Set a budget
If you’re operating with a lean budget, start where you can and find alternative training methods to maximize the use of every dollar. Regardless of how much you start with, you must include training as a line item in your company budget. This will help your team see that you care about their advancement so much that you have made it a justifiable and measurable cost.
An investment in developing your employees’ skill set is an investment in your company.
Identify your leaders
Every company has a person (or group of people) who just wants to learn new things. I bet you can see that person in your mind right now. See if they would be interested in helping you build out a training program. Having a champion who researches, plans, and implements most—if not all—training activities can help keep the cost down. Giving them a leadership role also helps shape their management skills in the process.
Cross-train
The most overlooked resources are those that already exist within your business. Cross-training and shadowing are great ways to help your employees learn new skills. This approach also allows you to see if some of your employees perform better in other areas. Not to mention, it’s a great alternative to investing in an expensive formal training program.
Never forget that your employees are the lifeblood of your business. It will always be easier and cheaper for you to train the talent you already have than to attract new talent. Remember that your training program should constantly be evolving. As your company grows, so do the needs of your employees. If you continue to emphasize the importance of training, you’ll develop a highly efficient staff and create a culture they’ll never want to leave.
Never forget that your employees are the lifeblood of your business.
Need help mapping training for your employees? Simple Plan IT can discuss your needs and recommend the next steps no matter the size of your team, or assist you by implementing our CyberSecure Training sessions.
