People Management

Training options on a tight budget

By Sean Neumayer

Is it possible to offer your employees good, ongoing training on a shoe­string budget? Absolutely—especially if your agency is comprised of a wide range of personalities and ages.

While outside seminars and educational presentations might be temporarily on hold, decreased, or even eliminated for the entire fiscal year as part of your organization’s cost containment efforts, there are still ways to keep workers mentally challenged and in sync with new perspectives. And all you’ll really need to do is take advantage of the diversity of your team!

Two simple solutions are: (1) Encourage employees to learn from one another and (2) Create a work environment that promotes interdependence.

Let your younger, tech-savvy types share their expertise with those who might be less than adept at managing e-mails and navigating spreadsheets, computerized scheduling tools and instant messaging.

These probably very eager teachers will likely take their new responsibility quite seriously and go out of their way to ensure a thorough training job. Being accepted as an equal part of an older, more seasoned team is a goal many GenXers and GenYers strive to attain.

And your older employees can be encouraged to share their stories, wisdom and practical advice with younger ones. Whatever these experienced workers may lack in tech savvy, they more than make up for in sound general knowledge, tried-and-true results and tested strategies.

GenXers and especially GenYers know they can’t compete with senior colleagues when it comes to proven track records and lessons learned the hard way. Most will appreciate any opportunity you give to be schooled or mentored by those they consider “the real pros.”

So, even as the economy continues to bring unprecedented challenges, there are still those agency owners and managers who choose to make the most of it. These are, for the most part, employers who are willing to explore alternative business approaches.

How about you? Have you been able to make this tough economy work? Is your team able to live with less but still grow?

Are you willing to share your agency’s survival story?

The author
Sean Neumayer has been a consultant with the Omnia Group for more than 10 years, helping agencies in several facets of selection, management, and retention of key employees. He also speaks to insurance groups regarding best practices. His contact information is (800) 525-7117, Ext. 1242.