Now is the perfect time to invest in skill development

Did you learn everything you needed to do your job in school? Did you learn it all at one time? Do you believe you can continue to be successful in your role without ever learning anything new?

I'm hoping that you gave a resounding "no" to each of those questions!

Since we agree that learning must continue to happen, why some companies and individuals hesitant to invest in growing skills and competencies?

I would like to suggest that it's a few things. Everyone is busy – especially with COVID-19 mitigation eclipsing all other priorities. People are distracted. Budgets are tight. Daily life is disrupted.

However, professional development is critically important. Everyone at your company is the outward face of your company's brand to your customers and your community. It's important they are competent, passionate, and believe in the company.

While learning through experience is valuable, it often leads to the creation of well-worn paths of decision-making, behaviors, and results. A refreshing injection of new ideas through carefully curated speakers, content, and new perspectives can lead to a step-change in motivation and performance.

Highly motivated and talented people continually look for opportunities to learn, grow, and improve. If your company does not cultivate and allow employees to grow and develop and recognizing the skills gained, your top talent will go elsewhere, and other employees will notice. It doesn't need to be expensive! It can be a free webinar, a virtual brainstorming session with peers from different companies, a professional development course online, or reading articles and sharing them back with their colleagues.

Developing employees is a solid investment. That investment creates pride and gratitude - people will work harder, be more engaged, and stay longer when they know you see their potential and will partner with them to achieve. Their enthusiasm and inspiration can help push others to new levels of performance also. Even when employees do leave, they will be more competent and productive while they're with you and are more likely to speak positively of your company to their family, friends, and neighbors - all of which are your potential employees or customers. In a time when 70% of the workforce is disengaged, you can’t afford not to invest in the personal and professional development of everyone in your organization.

Your company is built on the collective energy and efforts of the people working there. To improve your company, invest in your people. This sentiment rings especially true for small, private or family-owned businesses. Value your people, strengthen your company, and set the path for continued success.

Please reach out to me at Stacey@buildeveloplead.com to talk through the challenges you’re facing now and how I might be able to help! I am offering complimentary webinars, consultations and more during these difficult times. Check out our website for our services.