I'm often asked, "Why should I train my people when they will only take all that I give them in knowledge and skills and go somewhere else?" Good question. My answer is always the same, train them anyway.
If you've put the time in for finding the right person and going through the hiring process (in some places, that includes drug testing, background checks, etc.), why not make sure that once you get them, you conduct continual training to ensure that they provide the best in quality services and products and the very best in customer service?
Here are the three top reasons most employers want provide continual training:
1.) Training is too costly. Actually, the cost of training is minimal compared to the benefits. With proper planning, a team of 25 employees can be put through a week-long training program covering most subjects for what it costs to lose just one client due to poor customer service.
2.) Training takes too much time. There are many training programs available online that can be taken at the employee's pace. There are also programs that can be customized to fit in or around the business' hours.
3.) Training won't make a difference. Studies from the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), as well as from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) show that even a little training goes a long way. A receptionist trained on the proper techniques of handling calls can significantly improve the bottom line of a business. A salesperson with only a few hours of good listening skills training can lead the sales force in existing and new sales quotas.
There are other excuses given from employers, but there are the smart players that implement training as a business practice and continue with veteran employees as well as new hires.
