Empowering Employees Through Development
Constantly Changing
When it comes to the world of work, there’s no doubt that things are always changing. New technologies emerge, market trends shift, and workplace norms evolve. Recent years have shown us that major change is not only inevitable but often comes without warning, so it is important for both companies and employees to set themselves up for success. One way to stay ahead of the curve is to invest in your employee development. This means providing opportunities for skills development, so that people can keep up with the latest trends. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to do this, and it’s typically a win-win for everyone involved.
According to a recent Forbes article, “Empowering People with Skills Development,” “The era of talent empowerment has arrived, and organizations that invest in employee development are those that will prosper in the future.” With so much innovation happening all around us, failing to keep up with the times is a critical error. Leaders are quickly realizing that investing in new innovative solutions is necessary in order to keep up with the times and retain their workforce. Smart companies set aside major budgets for professional development for their employees.
Employee Development: Where to Start
Offering training and development opportunities to employees is one way to show them that they are valued. This not only helps with employee retention but also improves overall productivity and performance. Think about it, when employees sharpen their skillset, the company stays up to date with the newest trends and employees can leverage their new skills for more pay or recognition.
When offering development opportunities variety is key. This can include traditional classroom-style training sessions, online courses, even on-the-job training or conferences. The goal is to provide employees with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their current role and to prepare them for future opportunities.
Development can also be a great way to encourage employees to take ownership of their development. This can prove especially fruitful when done in conjunction with providing the tools and resources they need to identify their own areas for improvement and to set goals for their own growth. This can include self-assessments, performance reviews, and feedback from colleagues and managers.
Theory in Practice
You might be wondering what this looks like in practice? The New York Times recently highlighted a program at AT&T that is empowering employees through development. The company is offering employees the opportunity to take online courses in data analysis, cybersecurity, and other in-demand fields. Not only helps employees who appreciate the access to developmental opportunities but also helps AT&T to fill critical skills gaps within the organization.
As the world of work continues to evolve, it’s important for organizations to adapt and invest in their employees. By empowering employees through development, organizations can create a culture of continuous learning and improvement, while also improving overall productivity and performance.
Recent innovations in spaces like crypto and Artificial Intelligence are lending themselves to an explosion of new tools and resources. These tools can prove instrumental to the success and growth of companies but without training interested users they are just another app in the tech stack the company is overpaying for. While some companies are hesitant to spend their tight budgets on testing new tools and developing their in-house talent, the wise ones understand that the return on investment is worth it. So, if you’re looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition and invest in the future of your organization, consider investing in your employees.
References:
1. “Empowering People with Skills Development,” Forbes, August 8, 2022, https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2022/08/08/how-to-embrace-the-era-of-talent-empowerment/?sh=6aa0fdab2f03.
2. “Retraining Workers for New Jobs Is Crucial. So Is Preparing Students,” The New York Times, July 13, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/13/business/coronavirus-retraining-workers.html.
3. “How to Offer Training and Development to Show Employees You Value Them,” The Washington Post, June 1, 2021, https://jobs.washingtonpost.com/article/how-to-offer-training-and-development-to-show-employees-you-value-them/.
