Staff training sounds like a corporate benefit rather than a startup strategy right? Whilst staff training can get lost in start up businesses with money tight, it is important to recognise that training your employees is important regardless of the size of your company. Staff training can be performed over a wide range of activities ranging from an exercise in Aerial and Scissor Lift Training to more personal development exercises like learning how to negotiate a good deal.
The Benefits of Training Your Staff
When you’re just getting started it’s important to look for the right talent to join your team. People with the right skillset will take your startup to the next level, however a willingness to learn is just as important. Employees who are willing to learn and evolve make your startup ever more adaptable. Adaptability will ultimately help your business survive tough times.
Another reason it’s so important to train your staff is the impact it has on morale. Training your employees to do their job better will motivate them to repay your investment with boosted loyalty. A confident, well-trained workforce is more likely to stay committed to the business that helped them grow as professionals.
This means a great training program will add productivity and lower employee turnover.
Setting a Program
The problem with most startups is a lack of time and resources. New employees at startups can find themselves barely briefed and left out in the wilderness to figure out their own role in the team.
Avoid this mistake with a simple plan. Take the time to train your staff when they first join you and set aside a certain portion of the year for re-training or new programs. You can include online courses the staff can take together, teamwork exercises and learning games during downtime. Set up new employees with mentors so that they can learn from an expert first. Encourage your staff to cross-train everyone on the team so that everyone has flexible skills. Partner with an industry association so that senior staff can go out for meetings and seminars that will help them in their job.
This planned, meticulous approach will pay dividends over the long term.
Keeping A Budget
Another problem with a new startup is the lack of funds. Most startups don’t see the return on their investment when they think about setting money aside for regular training. But the results of better training are tangible if you do it right. Set a strict budget for a training program that’s designed to get results. Learn from your mistakes and improve the program over time. Make it a point to stick to the budget.
Don’t underestimate the value of good training. Your first few employees are the backbone of your entire organization. If you train and nurture them well your business will grow organically and effortlessly.
