Here at Corporate Boot Camp, we promote the value of training within the workplace. It is a constant cycle which must be reviewed and adapted to ensure that it meets the requirements of the modern workplace.
Is training important?
So why do we think it is important, especially in the current economic climate? Often, training budgets are the first to be reduced when finances are tight. It is seen as a luxury which is not essential and an acceptable sacrifice. After all, employees can already perform a specified role and if we have survived so far, why change? We believe however, that is a short sighted view and will only serve to be detrimental to a business in the long time. Yes, reductions in spending do need to be made, but this can be achieved through other ways or in extremes, a reduction in workforce numbers. Remaining staff often find themselves working longer and harder to achieve the same business goals. This requires a team which works together and productively for the business to remain profitable. For this change to be implemented successfully, a change in work routine must be enacted, and employees must feel valued and cared for. Motivation will initially be low, especially if staff fear for the safety of their own positions, or have lost friends and colleagues during any restructure.
Valuing your staff
It is often said that 'employees are our greatest asset', so why is this asset not properly invested in? A hard working and dedicated team is much more important than any equipment which could be purchased. Equipment is only as good as the people pushing the buttons. One reason why training is not always fully invested in relates to the difficulty in assessing the return on investment. The costs incurred may be easy to see, but the results in performance can sometimes be difficult to quantify, especially in the short term. It may also be difficult to relate an increase in productivity with training conducted six months previously.
Will my business benefit?
Training and employee investment has many benefits. Firstly, staff feel valued and important. It is crucial that they feel part of the 'team' and involved in the goals of the organisation. A raise in morale and motivation often leads to increased performance. Secondly, they can be exposed to alternative methods of working and given the opportunity to develop their skills and workplace techniques. For any workplace, methods can be implemented to improve efficiency. Thirdly, as a team, employees can gel together and form strong working relationships. A team must be able to rely on exploiting individual strengths to ensure that the right people are performing the right roles. If staff operate in an isolated environment, they may not be fully aware of the strengths around them. A team is never made up of identical clones with the same set of skills. Managers especially, must be aware of the various skills and strengths within the group.
An old dog new tricks
Training and team building is not just for junior staff. If anything, it is senior managers who benefit the most from engaging in this activity. If senior staff have been involved in one organisation for a period of time, working practices become static and acceptable even if it can be clear that it may not be the best way of operating. As mentioned previously, training is a constant ongoing cycle, failure to adapt and change will lead to stagnant business environments and ultimate failure. As with any organisation, leadership should be demonstrated from the front and this means actively following procedures which have been put in place. There is little point in 'empowering staff' in a dictatorial business environment. Change must be implemented from the top and cascade down through the organisation. We often see businesses whose management follow the principle of 'do as I say not as I do'. This only leads to resentment and contempt in the long term and ultimately bad working practices. Managers who do engage in team building activities benefit in many ways. They are able to see staff outside the work environment and identify strengths within the team that they may not necessarily have identified previously. They may form a closer bond with staff and this can be taken back into the workplace and pay dividends in the long term.
So maybe its time to leave the suits in the wardrobe, and pay a visit to the 'boot camp'. It may prove to be more beneficial than you think!
Want to know more?
Visit us at www.corporatebootcamp.co.uk for more details, we look forward to hearing from you.
Is training important?
So why do we think it is important, especially in the current economic climate? Often, training budgets are the first to be reduced when finances are tight. It is seen as a luxury which is not essential and an acceptable sacrifice. After all, employees can already perform a specified role and if we have survived so far, why change? We believe however, that is a short sighted view and will only serve to be detrimental to a business in the long time. Yes, reductions in spending do need to be made, but this can be achieved through other ways or in extremes, a reduction in workforce numbers. Remaining staff often find themselves working longer and harder to achieve the same business goals. This requires a team which works together and productively for the business to remain profitable. For this change to be implemented successfully, a change in work routine must be enacted, and employees must feel valued and cared for. Motivation will initially be low, especially if staff fear for the safety of their own positions, or have lost friends and colleagues during any restructure.
Valuing your staff
It is often said that 'employees are our greatest asset', so why is this asset not properly invested in? A hard working and dedicated team is much more important than any equipment which could be purchased. Equipment is only as good as the people pushing the buttons. One reason why training is not always fully invested in relates to the difficulty in assessing the return on investment. The costs incurred may be easy to see, but the results in performance can sometimes be difficult to quantify, especially in the short term. It may also be difficult to relate an increase in productivity with training conducted six months previously.
Will my business benefit?
Training and employee investment has many benefits. Firstly, staff feel valued and important. It is crucial that they feel part of the 'team' and involved in the goals of the organisation. A raise in morale and motivation often leads to increased performance. Secondly, they can be exposed to alternative methods of working and given the opportunity to develop their skills and workplace techniques. For any workplace, methods can be implemented to improve efficiency. Thirdly, as a team, employees can gel together and form strong working relationships. A team must be able to rely on exploiting individual strengths to ensure that the right people are performing the right roles. If staff operate in an isolated environment, they may not be fully aware of the strengths around them. A team is never made up of identical clones with the same set of skills. Managers especially, must be aware of the various skills and strengths within the group.
An old dog new tricks
Training and team building is not just for junior staff. If anything, it is senior managers who benefit the most from engaging in this activity. If senior staff have been involved in one organisation for a period of time, working practices become static and acceptable even if it can be clear that it may not be the best way of operating. As mentioned previously, training is a constant ongoing cycle, failure to adapt and change will lead to stagnant business environments and ultimate failure. As with any organisation, leadership should be demonstrated from the front and this means actively following procedures which have been put in place. There is little point in 'empowering staff' in a dictatorial business environment. Change must be implemented from the top and cascade down through the organisation. We often see businesses whose management follow the principle of 'do as I say not as I do'. This only leads to resentment and contempt in the long term and ultimately bad working practices. Managers who do engage in team building activities benefit in many ways. They are able to see staff outside the work environment and identify strengths within the team that they may not necessarily have identified previously. They may form a closer bond with staff and this can be taken back into the workplace and pay dividends in the long term.
So maybe its time to leave the suits in the wardrobe, and pay a visit to the 'boot camp'. It may prove to be more beneficial than you think!
Want to know more?
Visit us at www.corporatebootcamp.co.uk for more details, we look forward to hearing from you.
