What are some creative ways a small business can foster professional development with a small budget?
For help with this, I turned to my friend Alicia Mandel, who has run learning and leadership groups for companies including American Express as well as for the United States Olympic Committee. (She and I met at the USOC, when I was part of a team that helped Alicia think through a new leadership academy, Olympic University.) Alicia is about to become the vice president of organization development at Apollo Group, the parent company of the University of Phoenix.
Alicia’s advice:
Professional development rarely happens in a classroom. In fact, studies show that only between 10-15% of professional development is successful in the classroom. It really happens through application of learning. Here are some ideas:
– Find other small businesses in your community and see if you can arrange a job swap day. Take your marketing person and switch out with their marketing person. Learn and understand their challenges and how they deal with them, their processes, etc. Once a month take a different position to swap.
– Make sure you are a “learning organization.” After a big project or assignment, spend time doing the “post mortem.” What did we do well, what do we need to do differently next time? How are we going to ensure we do that?
– Add “two things” to everyone’s goals: each employee needs to do two things (outside of their job) that will contribute to their personal development. This can include volunteering, teaching a class, attending a seminar, etc. Let the employee figure out what the two things are.
In terms of classroom learning, check the local American Management Association, Chamber of Commerce or local college for professional development opportunities specific to the needs of the individual or organization.
you mean "how can we make more money"? simple, just pay the help less than you do now.
References :
GoSmallBiz.com can help you with growing your business for a very reasonable monthly fee. Owned by Fran Tarkenton, the are partnered with a 37 year old company, Pre-Paid Legal Services. They have small business plans that are legitimate and excellent. Check them out and if interested, you can join at http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/jpflanz. Good luck to you.
References :
For help with this, I turned to my friend Alicia Mandel, who has run learning and leadership groups for companies including American Express as well as for the United States Olympic Committee. (She and I met at the USOC, when I was part of a team that helped Alicia think through a new leadership academy, Olympic University.) Alicia is about to become the vice president of organization development at Apollo Group, the parent company of the University of Phoenix.
Alicia’s advice:
Professional development rarely happens in a classroom. In fact, studies show that only between 10-15% of professional development is successful in the classroom. It really happens through application of learning. Here are some ideas:
– Find other small businesses in your community and see if you can arrange a job swap day. Take your marketing person and switch out with their marketing person. Learn and understand their challenges and how they deal with them, their processes, etc. Once a month take a different position to swap.
– Make sure you are a “learning organization.” After a big project or assignment, spend time doing the “post mortem.” What did we do well, what do we need to do differently next time? How are we going to ensure we do that?
– Add “two things” to everyone’s goals: each employee needs to do two things (outside of their job) that will contribute to their personal development. This can include volunteering, teaching a class, attending a seminar, etc. Let the employee figure out what the two things are.
In terms of classroom learning, check the local American Management Association, Chamber of Commerce or local college for professional development opportunities specific to the needs of the individual or organization.
References :