Do You Get the Training You Need?

An essential part of growing professionally is getting the training you need. No matter where you are in your career, you need training in areas from developing core skills to improving listening skills.

If you have not already done so, read up on your company’s training policy. Do they allocate “x” number of dollars per employee for training? Perhaps they do not have an explicit policy; however, their implicit policy may be just what you need.

You should also have a discussion with your manager about your training needs for the year, preferably during one of your scheduled “one on ones.” Your annual evaluation is a strategic time to tie your training needs to your specific performance goals.

Training can take the form of reading a book or attending a class. Often a good conference can be the best way to get comprehensive training specifically targeted to what you need. Make sure you do your homework and present your manager with a training plan that is sound and defensible.

If you work for a start-up company, you often have traded benefits such as training for being part of a ground floor opportunity. You are probably more concerned with who will be cutting your paycheck this month. Even so, look for low cost ways to meet your training goals.

If you do not have a a training plan for this year, take 30 minutes and formulate one. It does not have to be elaborate. If you need training to improve your interpersonal skills, start searching online for books, courses or classes. Find what you think is the best value for you and your company.

Finally, do not assume that training classes are the best way to learn. I have found that the classroom is rarely the most effective way to learn. The quality of corporate training is very inconsistent and often too expensive. If you are interested in a particular class, make sure you get a recommendation from someone that has recently attended. It can save you lost time, productivity and money.

Learning is a life time adventure.

“Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.”
- Confucius
“Learning is not compulsory… neither is survival.”
- W. Edwards Deming

“The wisest mind has something yet to learn.”
- George Santayana