In tough economic times, any sensible organisation will look at ways of managing costs while maintaining peak performance. Cutting down training and development can seem like an easy way to save money and also to reduce the amount of time the workforce have to spend away from the task. As an experienced HR company, we firmly believe that cutting access to training can be a false economy in the short and long term.
These views are echoed in a recent article in Personnel Today:
Three quarters of company directors (77 per cent) believe it is important to invest in staff training in the current economic climate.
Aware of the difference training makes to the bottom line, 82 per cent of bosses reported uplift in staff productivity – translating to an average nine per cent increase in company turnover following staff training. (Bosses turn to training to credit-crunch proof their business, 27 November 2008 ).
Let’s imagine your staff are cars. Whether a Ford Focus or a top of the range Mercedes, you know that a certain level of maintenance and care is essential to for best performance or even just getting from A to B. You might decide against a re-spray or treating yourself to alloy wheels, or upgrading the stereo. You might be tempted to risk skimping on service and oil and tyre checks, but you won’t be surprised if bits start to break or fall off! And if you decide that you can economise on fuel, your car will come to a juddering halt, way short of your destination. If your “fleet” of staff is reduced and stretched with increased workload, it’s even more important to make sure they are properly looked after.
Training is the fuel that keeps you running. What is important is that any development you invest in:
• Is clearly rooted in and designed for your business needs
• Enables people to do their job better and increase productivity
• Delivers value for money
• Minimises the time spent away from the workplace
• Promotes sharing of good practice across the organisation
HR Advantage can offer training in the following areas as one day or half-day workshops, delivered to groups at your place of business. The group approach develops a “critical mass” of good practice within the company.
• Stress management and developing resilience – strategies for staff to build energy and perform effectively in challenging circumstances
• Effective meetings – a candid look at current practice and how it can be improved
• Time management – discovering your time stealers and time beaters and closing the gap between how you spend your time and how you want to!
• Coaching skills – improving communications and delegation and enabling staff to take more responsibility
If you are interested in discussing your training need, please call Lynne on 01494 455073 or email her at lynne@hradvantage.co.uk.
