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How on-the-job training and development programmes give companies a competitive edge (Business Tips)

How on-the-job training and development programmes give companies a competitive edge (Business Tips)

Business TipsBy Divya Jain,

New Delhi : Twenty-four-year-old Abhishek Mukherjee was offered a job by a reputed private firm during a campus recruitment drive. The young professional was eager to join his new workplace and showcase some of the skills that he mastered in college and put them to good use.

However, certain tasks that Abhishek was asked to perform at his workplace were beyond his academic knowledge. Although he had the willingness to learn, the lack of training made him a poor performer.

Often, the skills acquired in an educational institute differ from those required for the job. This means educational institutions should look beyond academics and offer students real-time experiences, where they are able to gain first-hand exposure of working in the real world. To some extent, such programmes can help students get a taste of the actual professional world and help them establish critical networking connections. However, it is workplace training that can enable employees to acquire new and specific skills for a certain role, increase their contribution to the business and build their self-esteem.

The skill sets required for jobs are ever-changing and it is the responsibility of companies to plug the skill gap between education and employment. Offering the right training to employees will help in strengthening their skills, enhancing their capabilities and acquiring new knowledge. The companies that invest time and money in developing and expanding the knowledge of their employees bring in more productivity and are able to position themselves better in the larger business landscape.

Here’s a look at how on-the-job training can prove to be a worthwhile investment for companies and equip employees with the right set of skills:

Helps tackle shortcomings: While one employee maybe good at calculations and market segmentation, another may prove her excellence in ideation and churning out new strategies. Every individual will have some shortcomings and it is timely training and development programmes that can upskill employees to perform different tasks with the minimum required skill. Workplace training plays a pivotal role in bridging the skill gap and keeping employees on the cutting edge of industry developments

Increases productivity: In a rapidly-evolving job landscape, employees need to be trained and taught about new technologies and their applications. With training and development, employees can stay up-to-date, use new technologies and give up on the old ways of performing a task. They can finish a task faster and show improved results with the right training. It will also give them confidence and enable them to adopt new and better ways to achieve their goals and objectives

Boosts employees’ morale: Lack of guidance often kills the morale of employees. Training and development programmes not only improve the skills of employees but also boost their morale, thereby making them happy and leading to longer tenures. Apart from breaking the monotony in the workplace, training programmes offer employees a learning platform where they are able to master new skills and become more marketable.

Encourages creativity: With training and upskilling, employees are able to think outside the box and widen their thinking capabilities, hone their communication skills and develop new skills that can improve a company’s competitive edge. Such programmes are the best ways to promote innovation and improve employee involvement.

Enhances company reputation and profile: Offering the right training and development programme makes the company stand out in the recruitment sphere. Employees are likely to feel valued if they are being invested in, and they work harder to exceed expectations. However, the company should adopt stronger and successful training strategies that help them build their brand name and enable them to emerge as a sought-after firm among employees.

(Divya Jain is CEO of Safeducate)

—IANS

10 things to do to make your online store work (Business Tips)

10 things to do to make your online store work (Business Tips)

Laptop, DigitalBy Anurag Avula,

It takes more than just a good website to run a successful online store.

Being an entrepreneur is exciting as it allows you to take control of your future. Start-ups are expected to have an online presence, and many operate online stores. The challenge of running a commercial operation on the internet is fundamentally different from those of a brick-and-mortar store. Some guidance on what works and doesn’t in this domain can increase your store’s chances of success.

Here’s a 10-step checklist to help you along:

* Offer a product you’re sure of and test its quality and appeal with a test audience first. It will be helpful if you ensure that your test audience is objective and reliable enough to give you honest and critical feedback, and not just admirers.

* Find a trustworthy, convenient and scalable way to source your product. Either a local source you can have more direct oversight over or an overseas supplier known to be reliable both with quality and deadlines. Make it a point to pay them a visit or speak to them, either face-to-face or through digital channels like Skype or FaceTime.

* Be useful to customers and add some level of uniqueness or customisation to your offering. If you ask people what their problem is and how your product can resolve it in a unique way, you are setting the stage for a great marketing plan and ultimately great product sales.

* Deliver on time, because it builds confidence in your brand, enhances your reputation in the market, helps give you a reason to streamline your own operations, and is the basis of a mutually beneficial long-term relationship with customers.

* Follow up on your initial sales personally and then incorporate a post-sale communication plan as you grow bigger so as to keep the connection with your customers. You could also use this opportunity to check if the product is achieving the desired result, and get feedback that you can use to improve your product. A store that listens to customers is always special and enjoyed.

* Use social media to engage with your customers as well as with potential customers. To make it easier on yourself, pick a platform or application with which you are familiar and would find convenient to update; you can create an automatic link to update other platforms.

* Encourage people to add reviews and testimonials, as prospective buyers are very likely to go through reviews before buying products, even with all the skepticism about paid reviews. Don’t we check out ratings and reviews as customers ourselves?

* Build authority in the product space and build a supportive community. This has less to do with the volume of your updates or the language of your post and much more to do with presenting your expertise in a professional manner. Providing solutions to problems through your products, letting your customers know about the latest industry development or even little tidbits of relevant information of value to the community will set you apart. For the best results, adopt an inclusive and supportive tone for all your online interactions.

* Don’t be afraid to get some help. Whether it is hired staff, virtual assistants, or vendors. This isn’t as expensive as you imagine. These assistants get paid by the hour, saving your valuable time and money relative to hiring full-time staff.

* Practice a certain level of detachment. While it is necessary to be passionate about your product, failures and setbacks shouldn’t drain you of your enthusiasm. Conversely, enjoy your success but don’t let it go to your head.

(Anurag Avula is Co-founder and CEO of Shopmatic. The views expressed are personal)

—IANS