Want business recovery? Try training!

Anyone, especially in Alberta, knows how hard this current recession has been and how it paralyzes organizations.

The key business element that will make you successful – your people – right now are paralyzed. People fear losing their jobs, and survivors of the latest lay-offs are consumed with guilt, and fearful for the next round.

With major changes to organizations and potentially leadership, often the vision is no longer clear. Is it all about saving (not spending) money, or is it still efficiency, value, profits, etc.? Do your people understand your long-term vision, and your short-term objectives to get there? If they don’t, what are they doing?

Without clear direction, people will decide on their own what is important and work toward that. You may have lots of people working hard, but you will not get the value out of their hard work if they are not working towards your goals.

Training can be just the thing to help you recover and realign your staff. Training can:

• Ensure staff understands the current vision and goals, and provide consistency with current organizational messaging you want delivered

• Provide your staff with a venue to problem solve

• Provide you with feedback from your staff on how they are coping and what they need to succeed

• Upgrade your employees’ skills and knowledge to meet your current needs

• Provide an opportunity for motivation and team building

Investing in your most valuable resource – your people – sends an important message to your staff, and at the same time, ensures people are on the right track to recovery.

(Don’t forget – the Canada Job Grant funding is still available to cover the cost of externally developed and delivered training programs. Check out their website to get the details for your province. Now is a great time to use it!)