'Learning and Earning' Article by Tina Zawila

Recently I attended a GAPDL "Search For Solutions" breakfast meeting to discuss how "Gladstone employers bridge the gap to retain a commercially viable, productive, flexible and skilled workforce in the Gladstone Region for 2013 and into the future".  Facilitated by Sothertons Director, Steve Marsten, a panel of local business owners and managers provided us with an overview of their challenges and solutions.  Not surprisingly, there was a lot of concern expressed around attracting and retaining team members and much discussion about apprentices and trainees and the investment required in training and developing employees.

In our industry, regular, ongoing professional development is not only mandatory, it is essential.  We must keep up to date to be able to provide innovative solutions and the best possible advice to our clients.  We regularly undertake formal training and next week we will have one of our regular "Team Training Days" where we will immerse ourselves in technical training, identifying best practice processes and team building activities.

Professional development and training of your team can require a significant investment of both time and money.  However, I am reminded of a quote from Tom O'Toole, otherwise known as the Beechworth Baker - when people ask him "Tom, what if you train them and they leave?" to which he replies "What if I don't, and they stay?"  He also says "the more you learn, the more you earn".

Every business in every industry must invest in training employees if the business is going reach it's potential and achieve success.  Training and development is also an important attraction and retention strategy.

A book I read recently titled "Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go" by Beverly Kaye and Julie Winkle Giulioni suggests that developing the talent of employees is "one of the most significant drivers of employee engagement, which in turn is the key to the business outcomes you seek: revenue, profitability, innovation, productivity, customer loyalty, quality and cycle time reduction".

Developing your employees doesn't have to be done via formal training programs, checklists, and procedures.  Genuine and meaningful career development can often be achieved simply by having regular conversations with your team.  Ask questions, provide feedback, challenge, engage and interact.  The quality of the relationship you build with your employees will often determine whether they stay or go.

In Gladstone at the moment, it can be difficult (if not impossible) for small business to compete with "big business/industry" in terms of remunerating employees, however, one powerful advantage small business has, is the ability to offer unique and individual career development and ongoing training and mentoring.  Do this well and you will build a team of loyal and happy employees and in turn, you will be rewarded with a great place to work and a successful business.

 

Do you undertake regular training with your employees?

Do you notice an improvement in your business as your employees develop their skills and knowledge?

Have you read “Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go” by Beverly Kaye and Julie Winkle?

What did you think of their view on developing the talents of employees’ one conversation at a time?

At Sothertons, we are here to assist you with the development of your team and your business.  Call us on (07) 4972 1300 to discuss how we can help.