Blog: Training and Development

In my organization it was decided we had depended on technology and already available computer training too long. The leadership and management had to admit that there were knowledge gaps in our workforce. People with valuable corporate knowledge were leaving or retiring who we couldn’t replace for budget reasons, but we still needed to get the job done.

So what do you do to maintain worker proficiency when resources are slim? The obvious answer is to use what you have in-house and constantly make people aware of the availability of those resources; however, making employees aware doesn’t necessarily motivate them to use those resources. What’s the fun in that? What’s in it for them?

There are some simple solutions to training that you may not even think of as training, but they are nonetheless. These everyday activities can be interesting and even fun. And, many you do right now or can implement with no cost at all. Well, maybe the cost of the donuts.

Use the company newsletter to write simple articles that motivate or pass on information we may have forgotten–little reminders that can be said in a humorous way will get our attention, hold our interest and remind us of something important. Ask for feedback on the articles; it generates new topics and let’s us know where training may be needed.

Daily tweets (we call them chirps) through email or even online can be a source of quick facts and figures, as well as best practices and simple procedures. Again, reminders of things we should be aware of takes the place of the refresher training we may need.

Staff meetings don’t have to be dull, add some donuts or bagels for the coffee, as well as a small dose of information from which everyone can benefit and make it the closing point of the meeting. Give a contact for more information, and the meeting’s done.

Have some gregarious person host “brown bag lunches” where someone shares information of interest (and necessity). It’s nice to use people who are also entertaining to do the presenting. Or, take this opportunity to use someone to talk about something not work-related that might be of interest. Mix it up. We need to stay interested in our team, which brings us closer together and motivated to work together.

Finally, while it’s not exactly “mentoring,” asking someone to back the leader up on a project will generate interest in project and motivate the employee to take some self-learning opportunities to get up to speed.

There you have five simple and low cost ways to add training to everyday activities. Every little bit helps. Keeping employees motivated to keep learning and growing is as important as the training itself. Without the proper motivation, the training is lost on them anyway.

Want to add to the list? Be my guest. Add a comment here or contact me directly through my website.

Managers, Trainers, Speakers, Presenters & Educators:  Have an Affair to Remember! You know I’m talking about training, teaching, speaking or presenting occasions, right?

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For more resources about training, see the Training library.