Questions and Answers

In order to achieve our strategy, goals and objectives we need to embark on a serious professional development program. Can you suggest some "Best Practices" in this area?

In order for people in your workforce to understand the need for upgrading their skills they must first understand the strategy which is driving the need for new/higher skills. Once they understand the need, they will need a path do develop or enhance the required skills. Some examples include:

1. Set up an apprenticeship program
2. Training provided by inside experts
3. Training provided by outside experts
4. Assess each person's gaps and develop a targeted program to meet his or her specific requirements

Once trained you must test/certify to ensure that the skills trained have actually been acquired. Some companies use a certification program to ensure that the training was effective. Still, it is important to note the training should not stop here; people need review, retraining and updated training to make sure that they retain the newly acquired skills and continue to update their skill level. Repetition is important for significant skill enhancement. Give your associates time to be effective.

On the job training: allow people to learn from their mistakes:

1. What did they learn?
2. How would they do it differently next time?
3. What are the issues?
4. How do we resolve the issues?

In addition to providing a path for gaining the required skills you must add this development to each person's performance review -- and, unfortunately, make sure you are weeding out those who are not up to the task to make sure that you have the required skills that will enable your company to be successful.

Set expectations high: this is the difference between mediocre and superior performance. Remember: it is important to treat people fairly, not equally.

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Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc.
2219 Packard - Suite 13
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

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