Level Up Your Employees to Level Up Your Business

As business owners, we have a lot on our plates. From managing employees and finances to growing our customer base and staying competitive, the day-to-day demands of running a business can sometimes feel overwhelming. With all there is to do, it can be easy to overlook the critical things we need to do to get our businesses to the next level because those usually aren’t the things that are urgently screaming for our daily attention. One of the areas that we often overlook is employee training. Many entrepreneurs think that employee training is something that can be put on the back burner. The truth is investing in employee training is crucial for the success of every business. You have to level up your employees to level up your business.

 

Employee training is essential because it helps to improve employee performance, increase productivity, and reduce the cost of employee turnover. According to a study by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the cost of turnover for small businesses can be as high as 50-60% of an employee’s annual salary. This can be a significant burden for small businesses. By investing in employee training, business owners can reduce the risk of turnover and increase the chances of success.

 

The benefits of employee training go beyond reducing turnover. Employee training can also help improve engagement and satisfaction. When employees feel that they are valued and that their employer is investing in their development, they are more likely to be committed to their jobs and the organization. Additionally, employee training can help fill in skills deficits, upskill your employees to improve performance and productivity, and help your business become more competitive. In fact, according to the Association for Talent Development, companies that offer employee training programs generate 218% more revenue per employee than companies that don’t.

 

Another benefit of employee training is that it can help ensure that your business appropriately complies with laws and regulations. Many small companies are unaware of the laws and regulations that apply to them and can easily run afoul of them. One example of this is mandatory sexual harassment training. Several states, including California, Illinois, and New York, have mandatory employee sexual harassment training requirements for all employers. Many small companies aren’t complying with these requirements and, as a result, have exposure to serious fines if cited. Beyond potential penalties, failing to provide sexual harassment training for your employees can expose you to significant liability because your employees don’t know what is and isn’t acceptable conduct under the law and because you aren’t aware of your obligations as an employer under the law. 

 

Despite the many benefits of employee training, less than 45% of small businesses provide any. This is often due to a perceived lack of time and resources. However, small business owners can provide employee training even with limited time and resources. The first step is to identify the training needs of employees. You probably already have an idea of skills deficits for specific employees and ideas for new skills you’d like your workers to obtain. You can also conduct a training needs assessment to help guide your training priorities. You can learn more about how to conduct a training needs assessment and get a free template here. Once training needs have been identified, your next step is determining the best resources available to support them. 

 

There are many resources available to help you implement employee training. These include online training providers, industry association conferences, webinars, and even government programs. In my businesses, I have often turned to Coursera for filling in employee skills deficits and upskilling employees. Their business subscriptions are inexpensive, and the courses are easy to implement and track. LinkedIn Learning is also another excellent source for affordable and trackable employee training. 

 

So don’t skip or put employee training on the back burner. It’s an essential component of getting your business to the next level. It’s time to prioritize employee training and give your employees the tools they need to help your business succeed.