𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁

You believe in training and development for employees, but your startup seemingly lacks the budget and resources to make it happen.

Professional development has many advantages, including improved performance, commitment, retention, and recruiting.

“𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤.” Richard Branson

Encourage a growth environment these ways:

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

Founders and senior leaders can give a wider perspective across the economy, industry, and career experience that is incredibly valuable.

Consider direct mentorship, open office hours, or internal trainings.

I know a founder who shared tips on time management and another who invites others to trainings through his CEO group.

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀

In addition to a ton of free courses online, consider these options:

· Some PEOs and other vendors provide free training classes

· An in-house expert can share interests (e.g. Excel training or yoga)

· An investor or advisor can speak with the team

· Clients may have experts on staff willing to talk

Also, encourage role playing where leadership plays the clients and employees present or solve problems. These trainings are engaging.

𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀

One study found that 75% of long-term job success depends on the mastery of soft skills, while only 25% comes from technical skills.*

Improvements in the following are beneficial: time management, conflict resolution, communication and presenting, and more.

Again, seek employees, investors, vendors and clients for resources.

𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

Whether the training is internal or external, evaluate its success.

Ask the participant for a written summary or quick presentation. This emphasizes the value of training and benefits others.

If a training is useful, you may let others take time to participate.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀

Devote space to learn, e.g. designate time weekly with no meetings.

Build a knowledgebase or a Slack channel for sharing materials.

Create a small group to solve internal problems. Finding cheap, fast, realistic, and effective solutions is educational and helpful.

Finally, include learning and development as part of the evaluation process to align personal and company growth.

𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Flip the script by encouraging employees to teach. Provide clients with brown bag lunches, white papers, and competitive analyses.

These efforts deepen your relationships (retention, upsells, and referrals) and offer employees a chance to learn in the process.

Resource constraints can lead to creative solutions. It's the same dilemma you face daily. 😊