Make Training Part Of Your Business Plan

Entering the new fiscal year should be a time of excitement and renewal. It is the perfect time of the year to let go of anything that happened before, reflect and learn from mistakes and use it is a stepping stone to grow. Part of any small organisation or creative entrepreneur’s business plan should be to take advantage of as many learning and training opportunities as possible. If your company has a positive learning culture in place, then much good can come of it.

Whether you are seeking training for yourself or your staff, it is essential that you set aside a budget and take the time to research courses that may occur throughout the year. Don’t make it a one-off thing, but rather a continuous plan to take advantage of workshops throughout each quarter or six month period.

Training can produce many benefits for yourself and your staff and should be made a priority wherever possible.

Training can be motivating and show staff they are valued

Training, when aligned with your organisational goals, can be a substantial motivating factor in any position as it shows each individual that they are appreciated, and that their career is a priority. When a person is satisfied with their job and the direction of their career, they will work harder and perform better. Staff that are being presented with more learning prospects, will also tend to stick with a company longer and look for ways to improve their services. Less supervision will also be required as they will be able to efficiently tackle any task which is given to them.

Training can widen job prospects – today and in the future

It is too easy to get stuck in a rut particularly when you know you are going to be performing the same tasks over and over again. Training can widen your job prospects and increase the scope of your duties. It can also challenge opinions and foster greater understanding. As performance is vital to a company’s success, the attitude and willingness of any employee to serve should always be taken into consideration.

Training offers a significant return on investment

The return on investment (ROI) from training is absolutely huge. It can increase productivity, improve efficiency and help resolve issues faster. While not all aspects of a job are measurable, there should be some elements that demonstrate the increase in workload or the improvement in service quality. Training can also strengthen skills and develop knowledge that is essential to the job description.

Training can be offered to your team in a variety of ways. It could be given in-house in a group environment or on a one to one basis. It could be taught online, or it could be done at outside premises or a training centre. At Accounts Studio, we understand the importance of training and offer Xero training to help others better manage their accounts. We teach individuals tips and tricks and show others how to avoid some of the more common mistakes that small business owners make.

The great news for small businesses, however, is that you don’t have to spend a lot to get ahead. Online websites such as Udemy provide a wide range of affordable courses to develop business skills such as graphic design, business writing and budgeting. Even the ATO offer free small business workshops and webinars to build on the skills of those willing to learn. Keep an eye out for workshops near you, or register to watch their webinars directly from the comfort of your own home or office.

Training courses and online webinars will go a long way to improve work consistency and expectations. Ongoing training will ensure quality performance of all employees and enhance any skills for this role, and the next. Maintain a culture of learning in your organisation in the 2018/2019 financial year and see where it takes you!