Training Issues in Small Business
by Lester L. Stephenson
Small businesses face many difficulties that hinder their ability to fund and make time for training. Training issues in small business can arise because small businesses usually possess some, if not all, of the following characteristics:
- Small number of employees with too much work
- Not enough revenue
- No training programs for basic job functions or skill training for supervisory functions
- Management fails to see the need for training
The Need for Commitment
It is quickly evident these reasons for not training employees are short-sighted and detrimental to the business. Small business owners who truly want to grow their company instill a more professional attitude and workplace culture into their business must invest in training. For a training program to be successful in a small business the most important thing is to have a strong commitment from the owner and all supervisory and management personnel. Commitment from the top always means there will be time and resources for training.Conducting a Needs Assessment
Once a commitment is in place, the next step is a needs assessment. Determine what skills and competencies are necessary and if they are in-house. For many companies, this is difficult because they are so close to the problems and do not see them clearly. In most instances, the needs assessment is best done by an outside agent who brings a fresh, unbiased approach. The needs assessment will determine whether the organization has all of the necessary skills to perform training—knowing how to do the job does not necessarily translate into knowing how to train others on the job. Companies usually are not equipped to perform all of the necessary training. This is particularly true with complex machinery, supervisory skills, and legal areas.Getting Down to the Business of Training
Once the assessment is complete, small business training should take a three-pronged approach:- Review hiring practices
- Train new hires/re-train current employees
- Provide supervisory skill training for all managers, including the owner
The Results
Following this three-point approach will result in:- Better hiring
- Reduced turn over
- A more effective workforce