Training in Challenging Times
August 2009
During
challenging economic times, especially protracted periods, employee training
and development initiatives have traditionally been areas hardest hit by budget
cut-backs and program elimination. Many organizations used to see these training
projects as luxuries rather than necessities.
These
days, the view toward employee training and development has become a long-term
strategy rather than a short-term fix. Also, many organizations are working
hard to equipment their leaders and those within the ranks with the skills and
strategies necessary to rally their troops and be contributors to the company’s
success during these uncertain times.
While the
reactive cuts in training expenses may have the desired short-term effect,
which is saving money, the long-term consequences can lead to the opposite of
what is needed. In fact, eliminating essential training often results in higher
employee turnover, lower revenues, less motivated employees, decreased
productivity and low morale. These results impact customer handling,
satisfaction and loyalty, thereby perpetuating a general downward spiral.
Training Priorities
Generally,
current training priorities are trending as noted below:
ü
Leadership
ü
Customer Service
ü
Sales
ü
Communication
ü
Basic work skills
As many
training professionals know, employee learning and development is used not so
much to solve short-term problems as it is to create long-term opportunities.
Leadership and employee development training should be viewed as a strategic
investment rather than a tactical response. This is good news indeed for
organizations, leaders, employees and the customers they serve.
Getting the Biggest Bank for Your
Buck
With
training a decided priority, how do you get the biggest bang for your training
buck? E-Learning, such as the FlexTraining Total E-Learning Solution, or the
Login and Go hosted subscription service, is the most cost-efficient and
time-sensitive delivery option. Web-based training, which automates new or
existing training material with interactivity and multimedia options, provides
student assessments and ensures results tracking and analyses, is on the
upswing.
E-Learning
can be dispensed to those who need it quickly and inexpensively, and learners
can apply what they learned almost instantly, thereby ratcheting up the ROI
index. Organizations invest in training to develop the skills and abilities
they need to meet organizational and customer needs both now and in the future.
Training cuts impede a company’s ability to prepare for and compete in the
current and future marketplace. It’s best to include web-based training
initiatives as part of your overall success strategy in the short- and
long-term.