A solid employee-development program can mean the difference between a
successful company and one that struggles. Indeed, your company's
chances for growth are closely aligned with its commitment toward
fostering employee development. More and more workers are looking for
employers who can help them increase their knowledge and skills.
It's
no longer enough to offer a conventional benefits package. Companies
that want to attract -- and retain -- valuable people on staff need to
actively participate in their employees' growth and development. It's
rewarding for employees to expand their knowledge base and take on new
challenges, as it makes coming to work about more than just a paycheck.
Here are some concrete ways to encourage
and maintain a work environment that fosters learning and a desire to
constantly improve:
1. Enable a means for personal development. Many team members struggle with outside influences that affect their day to day work; work/life balance is high on the list for most, as are relationship issues. Providing a personal development plan that will assist them in maintaining these aspects of their lives allows them to be more focused while at work, resulting in higher productivity.
2. Implement a mentoring program.
Pairing newer, less experienced employees with more experienced
employees is a great way for people to learn from one another. Mentors
can serve as a sounding board for younger employees, and can provide
job coaching, advice on career development, and introductions to other
professionals in the industry. Mentors often help their charges to see
the "bigger picture" when it comes to their working life. And, at the
same time, mentors themselves can gain valuable insight from their
protégés and become better managers.
3. Launch employee-training programs.
Investing in your employees' continuing education demonstrates that the
company values its people and wants them to grow. Even after an
individual joins an organization and the "honeymoon" period has passed,
companies should continue to provide training on an ongoing basis for
any skills that may be pertinent to the employee's job. Read Ten Employee Training Tips for good advice on how to get started.
Reimburse tuition costs.
Helping employees finance their education is a tangible way to
demonstrate a company's commitment to fostering a workforce full of
skilled and talented people.
Article inspired by Leslie Levine - www.allbusiness.com
