It is no secret that organizations are cutting employee training and development budgets dramatically. If your organization is like most right now, there is a good chance that you have found the resources allocated for your professional development to be greatly reduced from where they were just a short time ago.
Training budgets are often the first to be cut and the last to come back when the economy recovers. Given this, you have probably found yourself wondering how you are going to grow professionally when the opportunities for training and development have been so greatly diminished.
I want to let you in on a little secret about the real reason why training budgets are the first cut and the last to be budget... Most employee training programs and development initiatives are unable to provide a measurable return in performance to justify the investment. In tough economic times this becomes painfully clear as every dollar spent is carefully scrutinized and only investments that show a tangible ROI are approved.
Let me fill you in on a bigger, more important secret... a "canned" 1/2 day training program or motivational speaker isn't likely to bring about a positive change in behavior that will advance your career or improve your performance at work. It just won't. I've seen too many organizations try this approach and later wonder where their money disappeared to after the "warm fuzzies" were gone.
The bottom line is that the only person who is responsible for your professional development is you. Not your boss, your boss's boss, or even your human resources department. You are responsible.
Naturally, your employer will fund or even facilitate select training programs that will positively benefit your performance. By all means, take advantage of these opportunities as they are presented to you, but do not rely on them to help you realize your full potential. Ultimately you must take ownership of your own professional development and seek out the right opportunities to improve your performance at work.
Professional development doesn't need to entail a formal training course or learning program. It can be as simple and inexpensive as taking the time to gain a higher level of self awareness, completing a skills assessment to better understand what your strengths and weaknesses really are, reading a book about improving your interpersonal communication skills, subscribing to an online newsletter or blog, or making strides to be more assertive or better organized. These are just a few of the ways one can explore the many growth opportunities we all have.
Think you need classroom training? No problem. Seth Godin reports that education programs are at a crossroads and multiple top-name schools are now experimenting with the idea of offering free video podcasts of classroom lectures.
Whatever your development needs are, chances are that opportunities for improvement are just a mouse click away and many require little or no direct investment other than your time.
Ask yourself this: what is really more important - another bullet point on your resume and more letters behind your name or self-initiated change that can't help but go noticed by those around you?
Let your actions and performance speak for themselves and watch as your co-workers and superiors volunteer to speak favorably on your behalf. Let them take the place of another bullet point on your resume. This is where the true value of professional training and development lies, and chances are that it won't have to cost you or your organization a dime.
If you are waiting things out and hoping for expanded opportunities for company sponsored training and development, don't hold your breath. Remember, the training budget was one of the first to be cut, and will likely be one of the last items to make its return. Resolve to take your professional development into your own hands today!
Now go maximize possibility!
