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The Bank Product Line - April 2000
Training & Development: Keep a Competitive
Edge
Managers of successful banks recognize that
productive employees are essential to gaining and holding a competitive
advantage. But staying current in a business environment where change
is the only constant is tough. Unlike capital resources that are
acquired to improve productivity within a business, process improvements
in human resources must be learned.
Thriving businesses today use the knowledge
of each and every employee. In order to respond flexibly and quickly
to the ever-changing needs of bank customers, banks must rely on
their employees to think and act creatively and responsibly. This
requires training and learning opportunities for everyone in the
bank – not for just a select few.
Training Programs Address Employee Needs
Established in 1992, Administaff University addresses the varied
training needs of employees at different knowledge and skill levels.
Provided as one segment of Administaff’s fee-inclusive services,
this approach to training is an extremely cost-effective way to
improve employee productivity and retention.
Training Customized to Your Needs
The training needed may vary among individuals and between banks.
Most Administaff University seminars are useful to every office
environment, such as those that focus on how to become a better
listener or that teach ways to improve workplace communication.
Others are more appropriate to specific positions in the bank, such
as seminars on effective meeting skills or better customer service
techniques. Still others are geared toward supervisors, like those
on building better teams or improving interviewing and performance
appraisal skills.
How to Maximize the Benefits of Training
To ensure the training process achieves maximum results, Administaff
University recommends tailoring a training program for each bank.
Training needs are best determined by reviewing job descriptions,
observing job performance and talking with supervisors and employees
about what they feel they need to be successful in their positions.
Once these training needs are determined, an Administaff University
specialist can work with you to identify which Administaff University
courses can help meet those needs. The training specialist can also
help identify credible and respected sources for more industry-specific
training support.
Pre- and post-training discussions between the
employee and his or her supervisor will also increase the effectiveness
of the training activity. Explain to employees why they are being
selected to attend the program and its benefits. The training will
be more relevant if a review of the objectives and content of the
program is given beforehand, offering a picture of what to expect
at the session. Make employees aware of what they are expected to
learn from the training and how it relates to their job responsibilities.
Follow-up is the Key to Success
Based on research that shows new skills or knowledge must be put
into practice within two weeks of being trained, ask for a commitment
to an employee action plan to integrate this new information into
their job as soon as possible. Encourage the newly trained staff
member to share what they learned with co-workers, thereby expanding
the training experience further into your organization.
Check back several times over the next few months
with employees who have gone through the training programs to determine
the status of employee action plans. Make them accountable for what
they’ve learned. Assign new tasks that involve the training
content. Notice opportunities for all staff to use new skills. Offer
appropriate feedback, whether praise or constructive criticism,
and encourage their efforts.
Training Means Improved Performance
The small to medium-size bank will always be competing with larger
banks for customers, but training and development can help level
the playing field when it comes to employees. Sharing the latest
in training tools with employees can improve morale and boost productivity.
Administaff University can help its client companies make that happen.
For more information, contact: Rick Wilson at (281) 873-2717 or
(800) 974-1466 or by e-mail at rick_wilson@administaff.com.
Additional information about Administaff services is available through
our Internet web site at www.administaff.com.
Reprinted with permission from
The Bank Product Line.
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