Why tailoring your staff training program brings real benefits
The past few years have seen a shift in training approach for many businesses, from a one-size-fits-all program to a more tailored approach that is personalized to individual staff members.
Deciding to implement this type of personalized staff training program is a smart move. Each employee in a business is a unique individual with their own preferred method of learning and communicating. Therefore it stands to reason that individualized training will achieve the best results.
This is particularly true when it comes to providing training within a project environment. Project management and project delivery require specific knowledge and expertise depending on the role an individual is performing, and personalized training makes sure all project team members can deliver to the best of their ability.
The value of personalization
Personalization of a project- or company-wide training program brings multiple benefits:
A workforce where skills meet needs
Personalized training can help plug skills gaps where they may occur. While you will always seek to recruit staff with the best skills match for the role available, it’s normal for there to be some gaps in skills or experience that could benefit from top-up training, and these gaps may be different for different people.
Employees doing similar roles will have varying career histories. Taking an individualized approach to designing their training program makes sense, therefore, as it means you can ensure that everyone achieves the same level of understanding and knowledge. The skills of the workforce will meet the needs of the project.
Increased productivity and adherence to project plans
Staff who are confident in their role, and their ability to deliver that role, will be more productive than those who are unsure about what they’re doing. Moreover, well-trained employees make fewer mistakes leading to better adherence to project plans and schedules.
Making sure that your training program addresses the needs of each unique employee ultimately means more confident staff who waste less time debating how best to deliver, and produces a smoother-functioning project delivery team overall.
Better employee retention and staff morale
People like to feel appreciated in their roles. Staff who feel valued and invested-in move jobs less frequently, and recent research found that 94% of employees would stay longer with a company if it invested in their career development.
Personalized staff training can contribute to this feeling of appreciation as it demonstrates a commitment to investing in a person as an individual. If a team member is given training that specifically addresses one of their identified learning needs then it fosters a feeling that the organization has listened to their requirements, and is interested in meeting those requirements. This can also lead to better staff morale, as team members feel valued and of importance within the wider organization.
Increased competitiveness in your sector
Personalized training can help individual staff succeed in their role and also help your business overall be more competitive in your sector.
Well-trained staff deliver to a higher level, thus leading to better outcomes and more satisfied customers. If employees are knowledgeable and inspire confidence, then this will also grow your reputation within the sector.
More cost-effective learning that resonates with staff
There have been numerous studies over the years exploring the fact that different people have different learning styles. No two people will absorb information the same way, so it’s unrealistic to expect one blanket training program to resonate with all staff equally.
While on the face of it a personalized training approach could cost more than just buying a standard training product, in fact personalization offers a much more cost-effective learning experience for staff. Ensuring that each person learns precisely what they need to in a style that is tailored to them means less need to repeat training courses where the information hasn’t been absorbed by attendees, and avoids paying for course places for staff who wouldn’t benefit from attending.
Personalized staff training can give your PMO the edge
The value of personalized staff training is clear. Taking a customized approach leads to better outcomes for both team members and the organization overall, and saves money in the long run by making sure that the right people are learning the right things. Within project teams and the PMO, effective individualized training means that you can be confident that each element of project delivery will be dealt with by a well-trained, appropriately skilled team member.
Our expert staff can deliver tailored training programs covering all elements of project and portfolio management, from processes and procedures to assessments and implementation. We are also experts in data management and IT services and can create individualized training packages that align with your internal requirements. Get in touch with our knowledgeable team today to discuss how we can add demonstrable value to your in-house training program.
