- Leadership
- May 29
When Budgets are tight, training is still an important key to our success!
Whether it's been shared by your RVPO during region calls, outlined in your bonus letters, reflected in your property's performance, local comp set, or observed through other indicators, we continue to navigate the dynamic financial landscape within our industry, and it’s more important than ever that we stay focused on what matters most, make the best use of our resources, and work smarter to deliver meaningful results.
Many of you have provided feedback to our amazing training team over the past several months about the learning management system, WHGU, and in turn, they continue to find the most efficient ways to improve the system and to deliver a the best training platform. Sometimes it seems unfair that we don’t “budget” for training. Sometimes it seems frustrating that you, the GM, have to take the extra time to sit one on one with your employee to show them how to access WHGU when you have so many other things on your plate. Sometimes it seems unnecessary to do all the training we are required to do with every employee at RRI West. So why, then, is training still an important key to success when there isn’t a real budget to do so?
Adapted from an article I recently read from the International Food Protection Training Institute, training is the solution we can’t afford to lose even when faced with the tightest of budgets. While it may seem counterintuitive, training is often the most cost-effective solution for long-term results!
Training builds Resilience. Training teaches employees the skills to be adaptable, flexible and problem solve on their own.
Training improves Efficiency. Training can streamline workflows, reduce employee errors that can lead to immediate cost savings. So, the employee who you spend money on training when hired may save you money by working more efficiently and beating the MPR goal down the road.
Training fosters Innovation. Training can lead employees to think differently, be creative and ask questions. Welcome their ideas!
Training boosts employee Retention. Let’s face it. An employee who feels valued and sees a company that invests time in their development often leads to company loyalty, which is priceless in our industry.
(this is one is added by me 😊)… Training reduces our financial risk and liability. Ultimately, an untrained employee can expose the company to numerous risks, including safety issues like OSHA violations, legal liabilities stemming from data integrity errors, inappropriate or potentially harmful guest interactions, and other property compliance regulations. These risks can cost us far more than the time and effort required to properly train our team.
Maintaining or (dare I say) increasing training efforts during challenging times creates a more adaptable, efficient, and motivated workforce! And, in the spirit of EAW… the organizations that THRIVE are those that recognize training as a critical investment, not an expendable expense. Be curious everyone and Make It Better Every Day!
