Published: October 09, 2009 07:27 pm      

PUBLISHER: Teach your staff well

The look on my teenage nephew’s face was priceless when I recently corrected his belief in the myth that graduation means the end of his school days.



The classes and tests may end for a bit, but the intelligent working professional knows that if you aren’t learning every single day, you can’t expect your business to grow, or even survive.

As Carole Bodger Bon writes in this edition’s cover story (page 24), millions of American workers are going back to school to learn new skills or are utilizing training opportunities to enhance the abilities they already have. Southern Indiana’s professional and educational institutions are thriving.

As rare as it is for an adult in the 21st century to remain in the same career for his or her entire professional life, it only makes sense that educational programs tailored to the working man and woman are booming.

The concept of encouraging your workers and taking your own time to learn is very important to me and it always has been.

For years I’ve wanted to learn more not just about my own profession but about others as well: How do they operate? How can their experiences apply to my work?

Beginning with my first year on the job in a small newsroom in Pennsylvania I’ve routinely hounded my superiors to let me spend more time learning. To some employers, it was a welcome request. To others, it meant nothing but an annoying expense.

However, without the effort and money spent I wouldn’t be in the position I hold today — able to make training and educational opportunities become a reality for my own employees.

Is your staff hungry to learn? Are you making sure your employees have the opportunity to satisfy their craving? Confining them to day-to-day routine can starve them of the possibilities of improving both themselves and the important work they do for you.

Beyond the value of the classroom learning itself, every employee is better for being both on the clock and away from the office at the same time. It’s a great opportunity to imagine new possibilities, to consider new ideas and processes, to light a creative spark.

From my own experiences, whether at half-day workshops or weeklong seminars, I know that each training experience has helped me feel not only more confident but invigorated — new knowledge creates a brainstorm of fresh ideas.

A lack of continued training will catch up with your business. If you are only maintaining an educational status quo, the constantly evolving marketplace will overrun you and leave you behind.

Don’t let that happen. Make education a priority and put your staff at the top of its class.