Saturday, October 6, 2007

Staff training: A business essential



In the hustle and bustle of a daily business routine, proper training of the company staff is often forgotten. Whether the personnel requiring instruction are new hires or long time employees, good staff training is essential to business success. If an employee is unable to do the job assignments, simply as a result of not knowing how to complete the tasks at hand, the company bottom line can experience some severe damage.

It is not unusual for a new employee to be shown the desk or work station and be left to fend for herself. It is also commonplace for a long term employee to receive a promotion or new job assignment with no direction or instructions. Without proper training and guidance the employees are unable to produce good results and generate less revenue for the company. Unable to complete their assignments properly, the staff members often become frustrated and leave the job. Rinse and repeat.



Some business owners and managers take the penny wise route of skimping on saving. They also experience the pound foolish outcome of lower productivity. To cut back on training is asking for lower monetary returns. Instead of recognizing that staff training is an important investment, it is seen as a luxury expense that is one of the first places targeted for budget cuts. Lower production numbers and weakened staff morale soon follow.

Increased company revenue and improved staff productivity and morale are the most visible benefits of proper staff training. Less well known are lower accident rates on industrial sites, lower company health care costs, fewer problems with meeting government standards and regulations, and possible lower insurance and Workers Compensation premiums. At the same time, some potentially very costly and even business crippling lawsuits may be avoided by ensuring employees understand their job duties and responsibilities.



Customers and clients of your business recognize well trained staff people as well. Customer questions are answered properly and fully by employees who understand their job and their department completely. By knowing and understanding the client's needs and requirements, sales can be made where they were lost in the past.

Proper customer service training helps keep patrons happy and returning to your place of business. Reports and projects completed on time help the business to meet new challenges and opportunities, in the marketplace, quickly and with the appropriate plan in place.

Don't neglect proper employee training. It may be the most profitable investment that you can make in your company's future. Most business people state that their employees are their most important business asset. Not everyone practices what they preach, however. You can walk the talk, however, by ensuring that your staff members are trained fully in their job and its requirements.

Staff training is vital to your company's short and long term business success.

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