| So you got yet another throw-away ad in the mail, | | | | these goals? |
| offering computer or soft skills training. You riffle the ad | | | | I can't tell you how many times I've taught presidents, |
| casually, holding it precariously over the trash bin as | | | | executives, managers, and many others high up in the |
| you eye its contents. "Get more done in less time," "Be | | | | organizational food chain. Folks who were making |
| more efficient," "Unlock the potential of your computer | | | | many times more than I was for the same hours--and |
| and your mind" are some of the headlines that leap out | | | | yet I was training them how to be more efficient, how |
| at you. | | | | to be confident, and what to do to be successful. Do |
| Yeah yeah yeah. Sure, you're thinking. Maybe you will | | | | you see the dichotomy here? |
| get some of those benefits, maybe you won't. But | | | | Dangers of Hiring on Price |
| why does training have to be so darn expensive? It's a | | | | Hiring a training company based on price alone, as with |
| fair question, and as the owner and operator of a | | | | any product or service, is usually a big mistake. There |
| training company, I think I have a unique perspective to | | | | are a lot of hacks in the computer and soft-skills |
| offer you. Let's take a look at just exactly where the | | | | training business who are willing to work for peanuts. |
| money goes. | | | | Peanuts are for elephants, and not for high-caliber |
| Hidden Costs | | | | people. |
| First of all, keep in mind that there is a lot of hidden | | | | How much does losing a whole day to poor training |
| cost to the trainer and training company. This comes in | | | | cost you in the long run? The simple maxim generally |
| the form of a huge time commitment to learn | | | | shows itself to be true: you do get what you pay for. |
| software, keep up to date, and also to market | | | | You Can't Buy Excellence |
| themselves on an ongoing basis. This simply takes a | | | | This may sound like a funny heading, but it's true. While |
| lot of time. | | | | you can always pay more for a product or service, in |
| Also, if the trainer comes to you, there is considerable | | | | the end, excellence is a matter of personal integrity |
| effort he/she must make in driving, finding your | | | | and commitment, and you can't just buy it. You have |
| business, setting up the training room before the | | | | to find it, and often it does come at a |
| course, etc. Time is money too. | | | | price--deservedly so. I'm certain you would not |
| Direct Costs | | | | complain about your own professional rates; no doubt |
| I haven't even mentioned direct costs such as: | | | | you are worth every penny of your asking price. |
| - Computers | | | | Ultimately, high-level people such as you do not spend |
| - Software | | | | hours and hours for free; they know what their time is |
| - Books | | | | worth, and they ask for what the market will bear as |
| - Certifications | | | | fair return for their efforts. Finding people who demand |
| - Equipment - laptops, overhead projectors, etc. | | | | excellence from themselves, and in turn share it with |
| Even a small training company can have a lot of | | | | you, is a valuable commodity worth voting for with |
| hidden overhead you don't see when they show up, | | | | your training dollars. |
| smiling on your doorstep. | | | | Conclusion |
| The Actual Value of Training | | | | We've explored some of the hidden and direct costs |
| Additionally, the skills the trainer imparts help you and | | | | of computer training, and discussed why high quality |
| your employees do their jobs. Essentially, the trainer is | | | | training commands a price. After all, the people you |
| providing you with the tools to do your business at the | | | | hire will be teaching you and your employees how to |
| highest level possible. Isn't it important, and valuable, to | | | | better do your jobs. Isn't increased efficiency, |
| you as a business owner and/or personnel manager | | | | confidence, and competence valuable in helping your |
| to have your business run as smoothly and efficiently | | | | business be stronger and more competitive? What is |
| as possible? Isn't maximizing profits important, and can't | | | | that worth to you? In the end, you must decide. |
| computer and soft-skills training assist you in meeting | | | | Until next time, we'll solve our problems Bit by Bit. |