
Trained employees are more productive employees; thereâ??s no doubt about that. Whether youâ??re your only employee or whether youâ??ve got a growing staff, put OJT (on the job training) at the top of your To-Do list.
Every job, no matter what it is, is done better and faster when those responsible for doing it are properly trained. In theory this sounds good. But in reality, small growing companies rarely have money in their operating budgets to cover training costs.
Job-related training whether for yourself or for your employees is expensive in the short run. But in the long run, not offering training often costs more. The good news is that job-related training no longer means traveling to expensive seminars and courses. A variety of affordable training tools is available today. Much of this training is available without leaving your desk.
Whether itâ??s learning to use the software tools you purchased to run your business, or to stay abreast of ever-changing laws covering everything from sexual harassment to homeland security, youâ??ll find cost-effective training material suitable for your situation.
E-learning tools, computer based training, software tutorials, CD-ROMS, audio and video tapes, books and instructor-led training courses are some common training tools.
E-learning involves any type of training material that is delivered electronically. Whether delivered in a format readable by a computer or delivered via the Internet, or via satellite, or via interactive television, e-learning is a cost-effective way to train.
Company Intranets are being used for employee training, complete with testing and progress tracking. This method gives small business owners complete control over the content being taught. The training materials do need to be developed and maintained, but this initial investment of time is worth the effort.
The Internet is an endless source of training material. A simple search on your desired topic will produce an abundance of training material. Research this material carefully and know exactly what you are paying for.
You and your employees can even learn while commuting to and from work. Imagine popping in a training course on audiotape or CD-ROM and learning while stuck in traffic. Of course, your employees might want to be paid for this time!
Local cable television stations are another valuable training source. These days, everything from learning about software products to preparing for the SAT is taught on local cable. The local library is another local source for training materials. Training materials are loaned, not purchased, making this a worthwhile source to investigate. Youâ??ll even find an assortment of e-book titles at the library, too.
And for every new software package you purchase to help run your business, find a suitable training guide and require all who will be using it to learn how to properly use all of the softwareâ??s features. That includes you, too. Youâ??ll never get your moneyâ??s worth out of the software you purchase if you do not learn how to use it.
Much of the software on the market includes on-line help, on-line demonstrations, tutorials or some other learning instrument. Software makers also have web sites where users can go to learn more about the product. As a software package grows in popularity, so too will the number of book titles available for that software.
And one method of instruction that has yet to go out of style is instructor-led training. Whether enrolled in a real classroom environment or a virtual classroom, all will benefit by learning directly from an expert.
The reality is, only properly trained employees and business owners can help your business grow. Classes begin now so donâ??t be late!
Copyright © 2005 Cavyl Stewart. Get more software tips, strategies and recommendations by signing up for my Exclusive 100% free, 100% original content ecourses. Visit: http://www.find-small-business- software.com/free-ecourses.php
AP - The U.N. Security Council called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, but an intense bombardment of missiles from Israeli jets and helicopters early Friday and a barrage of Hamas rockets indicated there may be no quick end to the fighting.
AP - Gov. Rod Blagojevich faces almost certain impeachment by the Illinois House, a historic step that would trigger a trial to determine whether the Democratic governor should be tossed out of office.
AP - Lawmakers are under orders to finish action on President-elect Barack Obama's nearly $800 billion economic recovery plan by mid-February. But already it is plain that a set of serious fissures need to be bridged if the bill is to be completed within five weeks.
AP - Democrats are ushering in what they believe will be a new labor-friendly era in Washington with House votes on two bills aimed at helping women fight pay discrimination in the workplace.
AP - Trying to survive a deepening recession, employers are cutting their work forces to the bone, leaving more Americans unemployed and with dim prospects of finding a new job any time soon.
AP - Millions of tons of toxic coal ash is piling up in power plant ponds in 32 states, a practice the federal government has long recognized as a risk to human health and the environment but has left unregulated.
AP - President-elect Barack Obama is completing his national security team by announcing his unusual choices for CIA director and a national intelligence director who may face tough Senate confirmation questioning over how he confronted the Indonesian military when civilian massacres were occurring in East Timor.
AP - Just minutes after George W. Bush took the oath of office eight years ago, he signed papers formally nominating 13 Cabinet-level officials. Several hours later, the Senate, meeting in a special Saturday session, confirmed seven Cabinet secretaries, including the heads of the key posts at State, Treasury and Defense.
AP - The game defied expectations. Tim Tebow fulfilled them. He rescued No. 1 Florida, running through and throwing over No. 2 Oklahoma for a 24-14 victory Thursday night that gave the Gators their second BCS championship in three years.
Reuters - U.S. employers probably cut the most jobs in at least 34 years last month as the global economic crisis gathered pace and moves by policy makers took time to filter through to struggling companies.
Reuters - Israel pushed ahead with its two-week-old offensive in the Gaza Strip, ignoring a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Reuters - Europe sought a swift restoration of gas supplies on Friday after striking a deal with Moscow on monitoring gas shipments via Ukraine that have been halted by a pricing dispute with Kiev.
Reuters - Financial giant Citigroup Inc will support a proposal in Congress to rewrite U.S. bankruptcy law to help troubled mortgage borrowers avoid foreclosure, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said on Thursday.
Reuters - A legislative committee on Thursday recommended the impeachment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, citing widespread abuse of power including allegations he tried to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama's economic team is urgently overhauling the $700 billion financial rescue package to broaden its scope beyond Wall Street, The Washington Post reported on Friday.
Reuters - Al Qaeda's operations chief in Pakistan and a top aide are believed to be dead, a U.S. counterterrorism official said on Thursday, in what appeared to be the latest results of a campaign targeting the militant group's leadership.
AFP - Israel and Hamas launched heavy air strikes and rocket attacks on each other Friday, ignoring a UN Security Council order on the warring rivals to end their conflict.
AFP - The European Union demanded Friday that Russian gas supplies to Europe resume immediately now that details of a mission to monitor the flow through Ukrainian pipelines have been agreed.
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