{"id":6439,"date":"2017-12-19T18:00:08","date_gmt":"2017-12-19T16:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/?p=6439"},"modified":"2017-12-13T12:04:02","modified_gmt":"2017-12-13T10:04:02","slug":"how-align-training-strategic-business-objectives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/how-align-training-strategic-business-objectives.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Align Your Training With Your Business Objectives in 6 Easy Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"
Why do we train our employees? Well, it depends on who you ask. Some people believe that the purpose of training is to motivate employees\u00a0or to reward high performance. A few will train just to meet their training quota, and then there are those who train their employees to create a reputation of staff development. Most of the time, though, employees themselves don\u2019t even understand why they\u2019re attending training. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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But even successful training is wasteful if it\u2019s done \u201cfor the sake of it\u201d. Because training can be one hefty investment. In fact, U.S. training expenditure\u00a0<\/span>exceeded $70 billion<\/a><\/strong> in 2016. That\u2019s a lot of spending! And like any spending in business, it should pay off.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s the ultimate return on training investment? The achievement of <\/strong><\/span>strategic business objectives<\/strong>,<\/strong> of course. This means developing training that will equip employees with the knowledge and skills that in turn will contribute to reaching the business\u2019 strategic vision.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are Strategic Business Objectives?<\/h2>\n

We know every business is different.<\/strong> Each is unique in the way that they operate, the people they employ, and the strategic vision they\u2019re striving for \u2013 to name but a few.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, all of their strategic business objectives<\/strong><\/a> can usually be described within four common categories. That\u2019s, making money, building a reputation, becoming faster, or becoming better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Increasing Financial Gains:<\/b> This one probably hasn\u2019t taken you much by surprise, because increasing annual revenue and\/or profit is the most common type of business objective. But in order to increase financial gains, the business needs to reduce costs, while making more sales. And to do this, they require a strong, competent and motivated workforce who understands their respective roles in achieving the business\u2019 strategy<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In order to increase financial gains, the business needs to reduce costs, while making more sales. <\/blockquote>\n \n Share on <\/span>\n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n

Building a Brand Reputation:<\/b> The better the business\u2019 reputation, the longer the list of loyal customers it tends to boast. But how did it achieve its sterling reputation? Through positive customer experiences, at every customer touch point. This means knowledgeable sales consultants, helpful support staff, high-quality products and services, and skilled user-experience experts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Improving Speed of Production:<\/b> Producing products and services faster enables businesses to reach more customers in the same amount of time. This means lower costs, and increased sales. But more efficient production requires employees who are skilled in their roles, and who can work quickly without risking quality.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintaining a Competitive Advantage:<\/b> In today\u2019s global economy, it\u2019s not enough to be the fastest. Businesses need to continuously learn, to innovate, and to customize their offerings. This allows the business to compete proactively, rather than react passively to change. <\/span>But embracing new technologies and practices, and evolving with changing market demands, requires a resilient and learning-focused workforce. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why You Should Align Your Training Programs<\/h2>\n

The achievement of <\/span>strategic business objectives<\/span> is quite clearly related to the people who work in the business. Their knowledge, skills, and motivation to learn are key to increased sales, improved brand reputation, efficient production, and competitive advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is why training, and its alignment to strategic business objectives<\/strong>, becomes so important.<\/strong> By cascading the strategic vision and mission down to training and development goals, employees are able to see them operationalized. They become real, they become tangible, and they become meaningful in relation to their own jobs and tasks. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because when training programs are designed and developed toward business strategy, employees are able to better understand how <\/strong><\/span>they<\/i><\/strong> personally contribute to the achievement of business objectives.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n

And this understanding leads to their buy-in and reduces their resistance to training. This is why every training program<\/strong><\/a> should be practical and relevant to the roles and responsibilities of employees, and directly assist them in achieving their performance goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

So the question becomes, how do you do it? How do you achieve this connection between training and business objectives?<\/span><\/p>\n

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6 Steps for Aligning Training With Business Strategy<\/h2>\n

Aligning training with business strategy<\/span> requires little more than six simple steps, followed in a logical order.<\/span><\/p>\n