Insider Intelligence: Training Tips

In economics, there is an idea that overall improvements to an economy will, in turn, benefit all those who participate in that economy. The phrase, once uttered by John F. Kennedy, “a rising tide lifts all boats,” is perhaps one of the best aphoristic summaries of that idea.

Whether or not you believe in this concept relative to economics, there is certainly application as it relates to some business practices – particularly in terms of ongoing employee education and training.

The greater the emphasis your company puts on continuing education programs, the more you and your employees will benefit on a personal level, which will, in turn, feed the success of your company in the long term.

With PSA TEC being one of the first training and development industry events of 2018 (March 12-16 in Denver), now is a perfect time to evaluate ways to leverage the first wave of events to shape your company plan. Here are a few tips:    

1. Set a training goal for every employee: At PSA, we have a corporate goal that every employee will complete at least 10 hours of education and training every year. It is part of our company DNA from a culture perspective, but it also plays a huge role in feeding the continued growth of the company.

It is so easy for everyone to just put their heads down and get to work when they walk in the door each day, but by setting a training goal for every employee, you send a message that ongoing training is essential for the success of every single position at your company.  

2. Step outside the box: While on-the-job training is important, I am big believer that education outside the confines of one’s position often serves as a catalyst for inspiration to the business or in someone’s daily work.

I encourage my team to explore training programs that help them in their day-to-day tasks, such as software training or content marketing best practices, but to also look for training opportunities that stretch beyond their job function. For example, while the marketing track at PSA TEC is certainly rife with opportunities for my team, I might suggest they also take a look at courses on corporate citizenship or even cybersecurity case studies. You never know where inspiration will strike.

3. Share the knowledge: The theme of this year’s TEC conference is “Amplified.” While the theme certainly conveys the air of change at this year’s conference in terms of class offerings, the number of attendees and even the location of the conference itself, there is an undercurrent that is perhaps even more important – that training and education is truly amplified when attendees take that information back to their colleagues in the office and apply it in their every day jobs.

Knowledge gained at a conference such at TEC should not live on forever only in the minds of the people who were in the room. Providing opportunities for your team to debrief with their department members or some other small group can go a long way. Again, if a rising tide can lift all boats, the swell of knowledge that can come back to an organization after a training conference can have immense impact.

Continued employee development is essential for the continued success of a company, and education is indeed the rising tide that can lift all boats in your company. Having a company-wide, stated training goal means the “boats” that carry employee morale, positive internal communication and business innovation will certainly be only a few of the many that rise with the tide.