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IS WORKPLACE TRAINING BENEFICIAL?

Today, more and more employers are providing training to their employees AND they are realising the benefits! The cost of the training is small compared to the cost that may be incurred if they didn't invest in workplace training. As your business continues to grow, new skills are required to meet the ever-changing demands of the business and training serves as an investment for the future.

Training may be at both a personal and professional level, either way, as the experts agree, personal development translates to professional development - it is a natural progression. If you want your staff to change what they do, or their approach to issues and problems - change how they think! Once you change the way a person thinks, the rest will follow.

Workplace Habits
Training on workplace habits provides employees with a foundation from which they can better understand what they do and how they do it. We all have our personal style of working, so understanding who you are, and why you do what you do, or why the person who sits next to you does what they do, helps us to empathise and become more aware of the impact our behaviour has on others. So, how do we gain the self-awareness to help us change the way we think?

Preferred vs Non-Preferred
Through training and development, an understanding of your 'preferred' way of working compared to your 'non-preferred' way of working can be uncovered. We all have workplace habits that are entrenched in the way we work, however these may not be the most efficient way to do things. Being efficient in the workplace could mean working in your 'non-preferred' way in order to you give the structure and foundation from which to operate. You may not like the 'non-preferred' way, however understanding that this is what it takes to work efficiently can assist in accepting and recognising new workplace habits. Look at it from the point of view of learning new 'skills' - fundamentally, if you keep working the same way, you will keep getting the same results - so in order to get a different result, you need to work differently.

Lack of workplace efficiency skills training can result in a range of problems, such as employees working long hours yet productivity remaining low, high stress levels, lack of clarity about job role and responsibilities and competency to do the job the way it should be done, 'stuff' going missing, and the feeling of being 'out of control'.

Often it is assumed that everyone knows how to work efficiently however, it is generally not what you are taught whilst studying for your degree, diploma or other trade qualifications. So unless, you are a naturally organised person - this skill is something to learn - and it can be learnt! So what are the benefits to training?

By providing your staff with a choice of workplace habits, and the ability to make a decision to use appropriate habits, training ultimately leads to a happier, healthier and more productive work environment.

5 Benefits to Workplace Training

1. Staff Motivation
When staff are provided with training that enables them to work more efficiently at their desk, they often claim to feel 'lighter'. This in turn leads to higher motivation levels and the confidence to come up with ideas - to design new business systems and procedures, but also willing to take on the responsibility of making these changes. They feel as if the 'weight' as been lifted from their shoulders.

2. Increase in Productivity and Service
With the increase in motivation to work more efficiently, staff become aware of the benefits of improved workflow and are able to further increase productivity and service, with little extra effort - but greater returns.

3. Job Satisfaction
Most people know what it feels like to have a good day at the office. Usually this is when everything has run smoothly, with no hiccups, and production and service run like clockwork. This most often results in a satisfied and accomplished feeling. So when staff understand the choices they need to make in order for them to have a 'good day' every day, it gives them added job satisfaction!

4. Knowledge
Sharing this new found knowledge is a benefit to the business. As staff are able to become multi-tasked, there is a reduction in the need to bring in external resources to complete the work. The opportunity to gain self-confidence with this new knowledge provides your staff with a healthy level of perspective and self-esteem that will see them through more stressful periods in the job.

5. Improve Staff Loyalty
Staff are the greatest asset in any business. When you provide training to your staff, it demonstrates a belief, trust and commitment to their continued employment. It is also a tangible display of their value to you as an employee, and that their skills and knowledge are highly regarded within the business in order to contribute to its success. Through increased loyalty, staff training can minimise employee turnover.

If natural tendencies or lack of training take you, or your staff, off on a different path from being organised, the consequences could be disastrous to both the business and future employment opportunities. By providing professional workplace efficiency training, you and your staff can be resourced with the fundamental skills to break out of old habits and become 'organised' in the workplace.

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