The Role Of Education And Training To Succeed In Small Business

A small business has advantages over a larger enterprise: it is often local and well-liked and it can adapt quickly to customer demands. 

There are some drawbacks however: small businesses have smaller operating budgets, so it can be harder to get things done. They can also fall victim to economies of scale, being undercut by much larger organizations. 

In order to succeed, training and continuation of education are vital. Not every business needs a dedicated essay writer for grant writing and other proposals, but every business should know where to find one, and how to hire one; that skill set and knowledge base is all down to successful education attainment within the business.

Education attracts good workers

Being able to say you can advance an individual in more ways than just money is a big draw for employees. Many workers today are aware that they may need to switch roles and careers several times over the course of their lives. As such, each opportunity has to offer some sort of insurance against their role becoming redundant.

Training can be specific, relating to software or a specific branch of health and safety, or it could be that there is an educational allowance for each employee to spend as they choose; that could be language lessons, a music teacher, or a fitness coach. Happy workers make for a successful small business.

Training needs to be certified and qualified

There are lots of rather bogus training courses on the market. You may see them in your targeted advertisements as you browse the internet, like the ‘Qualify as a therapist for $59’ sort of thing. If you are going to offer training and education to your employees, make sure that you aren’t going with a provider who is only in it for the money. 

Look for certifications within the industry or discipline. Talk to the provider directly before purchasing anything on a whim. See what comes about through word-of-mouth when you chat with peers and colleagues.

If you do end up with a bad service provider, make sure to raise a complaint and try to get your money back. If you suspect something is seriously wrong with the course, bring it up with a trading standards body or your local authority; depending on the situation, their services could put people in danger. 

Learning isn’t always fun

For some people, education brings back unhappy memories of school. While we all know of badly behaved students who grew into sound and stable adults, there still might be some trauma locked away in those memories.

If someone is unhappy about having to do training, take the time to have a conversation with your employee and find out what you can do to make it better. A simple conversation with a trusted manager might help them to somewhat let go of that aspect of their past. Maybe they’d prefer to study in private, remotely, or at home. Whatever they need, let them have it.

Also, be aware of staff members who may have difficulties, such as dyslexia or dyscalculia. These conditions can be embarrassing for some people who may have been shamed in the past. Don’t repeat those mistakes, make everyone welcome.

Teaching yourself

As a business owner, you may find it hard to nail down what you, in particular, should study or train yourself in. Education for business owners often boils down to rather staid MBA courses. But why not go for something more unique than business studies and study psychology or history? There are ways to incorporate this knowledge into your business and personal development. Not everything has to be directly related to your company and its interests.

So now we’ve covered some compelling ideas about the role of education in finding business success. Education can be diffuse and focus on improving personal happiness, or it can be about fostering employable skills. The choice is yours. 

Author Bio

Jenn Stiller is a writer, educator, and editor. She’s based in the United States and currently works with disadvantaged children. In addition to her work with kids, Jenn contributes to academic writing by assisting students with essays, projects, and papers.