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Tuesday, 19th August 2008
Whether itís a downturn, recession, lack of confidence or just excessive nervousness from one or two sectors, its forcing us all to think carefully about any investment we wish to make in our businesses.
When situations like this have happened in the past, there has been an easy target for cost-cutting initiatives ñ the training budget. ìWe just canít afford to train people, not at this timeî.
And yet it has got to be one of the more short-sighted tactics possible.
Yes, of course, there is going to be less discretionary spending during these times, but that just makes it all the more important that what is spent results in real business benefits being achieved.
One example is in the area of project management. More organisations are investing more time and resources in more projects. There has been the recognition that it is through the discipline of project management that we can deliver all the enablers for change that are required to survive in the business world today.
Yet how many people who are involved in projects, and even worse, who are running projects, are under-trained, lacking in basic knowledge, skills and competencies? The answer, unfortunately, is far too many.
Project management is an area in which many companies should seriously consider investing their training budgets. But what return will they get?
Effective project management training should emphasise structure and creativity, as well as flexibility. During difficult times, there is always a bigger premium placed on these attributes, as they are ones that will differentiate you from your competitors.
Great project management training companies are the ones that:
ï are subject matter experts,
ï can deliver training experiences that are inspirational and rewarding,
ï are prepared to engage with your strategic aims and objectives ñ to partner with you rather than being a simple ësupplierí.
So, for the sake of your staff, your customers and the future of your business, it is time to invest in great training and letís develop our way out of the ëcredit crunchí.
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