Why Leaders Need to Believe in Training

May 15, 2010 at 11:24 am, by Jennifer

For most organizations, training can be an expensive endeavor to undertake in both time and money. Many leaders will see the cost but not necessarily the benefits. Cost is directly associated to the bottom line, but it is difficult to know just how much of a benefit the training has provided. In some cases, it takes time to see the beneficial impact training has on an organization. Leaders who struggle to see training as a good idea should consider the following.

Training boosts morale. Employees who receive regular training feel more valued and have a greater chance of increased productivity. When employees feel good about where they work, they are more likely to tell other people. Having a positive image with respect to taking care of its people is critical for an organization in today’s business climate.
Training employees keeps an organization competitive. As more competition emerges, organizations should continue to train their employees for the changing business climate. If you, as a leader, do not have a training plan for your employees; your competitors will pose a threat to your bottom line.
Training retains talent. Employees will stay where they believe they have the greatest chance for continued growth and to increase their skill set. Once an employee perceives they will no longer receive training to stay competitive, they are more likely to go to an organization that provides those opportunities.

Each of these suggestions has a common thread. By not providing training to employees because the upfront cost is too high, the back end cost can be even higher. Consider how long it takes to recruit an individual and train them to perform a basic job function only to have them leave.

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