A personal message - it's time for change!

We are emerging from the worst financial crisis in living memory. Employers that are able to sustain high levels of people engagement and performance despite having had to make difficult decisions are more likely to survive and emerge stronger than before.

My experiences of living through several recessions have convinced me that three characteristics typify survivors. A high trust culture, which inspires go-the-extra-mile responses from an engaged workforce. Allegiance to core values, as principle takes precedence over profit. And a passion for learning, an excitement for innovation, an enthusiasm for change!

And on that last point, let me pose you a question: why is it that, in recessions, most UK employers cut their training budgets first? Perhaps the key issue is that developing people is generally perceived in UK Boardrooms as an 'overhead' and not a 'wealth creator', as 'nice to do', not 'need to do'. This attitude means that, when things are going well it's an expense line that can be tolerated, but when things start going not so well, it can be cut with supposed impunity. A faster way to reduce employee engagement would be hard to find.

How do we fix this absurd delusion?  The first and most important step is to professionalise the L&D function. Heads of organisational L&D functions need to be self-analytical - is training correctly aligned with business objectives? Is service provision to a high quality? Does it provably deliver positive ROI? Only by ensuring these things will senior management's perceptions be changed - you don't 'cut' what you perceive adds value in a time of recession, you invest more.

Professionalising L&D is our mission at The Training Foundation. For example, more than 21,000 individuals have achieved TAP qualifications with us since 1998. Our Surveys tell us that they have radically improved the ROI their employers get from their investments in training.

If you are already working with us in some way I thank you, we very much value the relationship and your support. If not as yet, then do come and talk to us: I can promise you that it would not be time wasted!

Sincerely 

Nick Mitchell