I direct this article toward small businesses that want to develop a training culture, create or access and deliver programs that maximize productivity and profit.
Two facts are important. First, untrained people typically fail or, at best, under-perform. Their mistakes and omissions lower your service level, damage your image in the marketplace and eventually, cost you money. Second, if you don’t devote significant time and resources to building and administering a serious teaching program, building staff skills isn’t easy. So, we have a need to train and a challenge in making it happen.
Below are some practical suggestions that will enable the smallest business to train more effectively.
Designate someone who cares. Training is a management responsibility. Still, managers may not always be available to deliver training. Rather than try and fail because you are too busy, delegate. Use training as a development tool for your most quality oriented team member. Choose someone who shares you beliefs about doing the job right. While this is the person who will build your training program, he/she need not be an expert. Most of the info you’ll need is readily available. Your ‘trainer’ must focus equally on task completion and on the people who make it happen. Effective and enthusiastic communication is mandatory. Select the trainer accordingly.
- Organize topics in ‘need to know’ sequence. Limit initial training objectives. Begin with the job description. What is it the employee must know or be able to do first? Begin your training there. Teaching in a logical need-to-know sequence, according to job requirements, will improve retention of the information and make more sense on the job. Information I’ll call “nice to know”, while often more interesting to the trainer, tends to reduce clarity for new people and can be confusing. Trainees must understand what is important now.
- Plan training in ‘small bites’. Spend some initial development time re-formatting important but often boring information. Emphasize most important points and critical knowledge in concise, easy to understand ‘bites’ or learning modules. New hires cannot and will not absorb extensive information. Initial training should allow the new hire to begin successfully, accomplishing small tasks, one at a time. Do not attempt to create a subject matter expert in a week or two. Not only is limited ‘small bite’ training easier to absorb and translate to behavior on the job, it is easier for a new trainer to create and deliver.
- Use available and inexpensive resources. In today’s “green industry”, whether your business is focused on design and build, maintenance, landscape or lawn care, the information you need is out there. One of the first tasks for your new ‘trainer’ should be to network with established and respected companies and trainers in the industry. Take advantage of the work others have done to pull together necessary information. You will find most of us are ready to help. Here are other great resources:
*Pesticide safety/use topics – OSHA website and state extension services.
*Environmental stewardshop – EPA websites [federal and state]
*Driver safety – National safety council, local/state police and for profit training producers [“Google” the topic, you’ll be amazed at the choices available].
*Equipment and product use – Manufacturers provide this info in video and written form.
*Plant/pest relationships – Your state extension service is a great resource and all information is free!
*Sales/customer service – “Train the Trainer” seminars can equip your trainer to deliver these topics. Programs are available and can be customized to your needs.
Finally, remain active in your national and local associations. Take advantage of the resources provided.
Many operators just like you have used training to help build a culture of quality
and professionalism. Why not join the club!
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