If you think that training is expensive, consider and analyze the cost of NO training. The poor performance of employees -- supervisors, managers, salesmen or customer service personnel--could be the cause of costly problems of quality, low productivity, sabotage, lawsuits and accidents. These last can cause a measurable increase in the price of workers compensation. Moreover, they can directly or indirectly cause the cancellation of orders, or even worse, the loss of clients, something that no company can afford. These extra costs diminish gains considerably and may sometimes force the company to declare bankruptcy and close its doors. The abuse of authority or the lack of character and leadership combined with poor communication and lack of employee recognition can cause a variety of expensive situations.
The solution, in many cases, is to train personnel in leadership, customer service, personal development and self-esteem, legal aspects of business, responsibility, teamwork and communication, among other important subjects. The investment in good and professional training of employees normally reduces or avoids many of the costly situations that we mentioned above, preventing losses and saving much more money than was invested in the training. Sometimes the company will increase sales and profits through the implementation of innovative changes in processes, which saves even more money. Remember: most of the time people work for people, not for companies, and this is what causes some individuals to try and get even with a supervisor or manager. Such a situation affects the company, which is, finally, accountable for that supervisor not being a good leader. Perhaps this is because he has not been trained or because someone made a bad decision in hiring or promoted a good employee who was not prepared or had not developed the necessary skills to be a good leader and supervisor. How much does it cost your company when the supervisors, salesmen or customer service personnel do not do their job well? How much turnover exists and what is its cost? What about the losses from low productivity or bad quality? Perhaps you have many accidents and with them more absences or increases in workers compensation costs. Or - and I hope this is not the case - possibly your company even lost a client due to the inefficiency of personnel, which can come from the lack of good leadership.
Group attitude is a reflection of leadership
With the right training program it
is possible to reduce these expensive situations through teaching and reminding supervisors that treating employees with respect and not with intimidation or abuse of authority makes them react in a positive way, collaborating with the company to help avoid accidents, sabotage and low productivity. This is achieved by training them: to communicate more efficiently; to work together as a team; and especially, to give recognition and motivation to their employees. |  |
