We need to invest in and train our people

 HOW prudent and attentive are we when it comes to investing in and training our people? 

How would you rate yourself on how well you equip your team to carry out the responsibilities you entrust to them and the job you hold them accountable for? Personally, I believe this is an area where we can all improve.

It should be no surprise to learn that many, if not most organisations do not invest enough in their people and most would agree that they do a less than adequate a job of training. 

Often there is concern over the return on investment. 

What happens when you increase your investment to improve training and then the people leave? 

Sometimes it is an affordability issue. 

Is training the best use of available capital? 

I would ask it a different way. 

What happens if you do not train your people and they stay?

To put simply, we cannot afford not to train the people we hire to get the job done. In all seriousness, why would we even think of paying someone to do a job and then not give them everything they need to excel at it? 

Why would we not give the people the right tools to accomplish work as efficiently and effectively as possible? 

It has been my experience that you can save a little money up front but it will always cost you more in the long run.

Choosing your team wisely is absolutely vital. 

Most companies have rigorous protocols for sourcing candidates and bringing on new hired help. 

But what happens after the recruiting process? 

Too often new people are insufficiently trained and sometimes, left on their own. We all know the best of the best perform better and excel faster with the proper training.

You may find the following “thought” a little radical but here it goes. 

Invest in your people as you would invest in your family. 

If your people are not trained properly and do not perform as expected, that reflects negatively on you. 

That negativity will eventually impact your performance as a leader, which can potentially impact your job security and ultimately your income. 

Who suffers when you suffer professionally? 

Your family, that’s who.

How much should we invest in training our people? 

In the end, sad as it may be, we spend as much or more time with the people we work with as we do our families. 

It is easier for me because I love the people and I have the honour and pleasure of working with. 

Emmanuel Marosi

Madang