Training is one of the first areas to feel the financial squeeze when times are hard. Companies in many different sectors will have different priorities as they try to focus on what they deem to be the essential training which must be done. Whether it is charities ensuring staff involved in frontline care have the necessary nursing qualifications, or financial businesses making sure they comply with the technical training required by the Financial Services Agency, the result seems to be the same. Soft skills training is treated as a luxury and either delayed until the next financial year or quietly dropped. This is a false economy.

One of the problems with soft skills training is that it can be very difficult to measure its effectiveness. Indeed, many people are unclear as to what is meant by soft skills. It includes, but is not restricted to communication skills, team building, assertiveness, motivation, and presentation.

An employee can have the most amazing and complete technical skills, but without the necessary soft skills they will be unable to demonstrate their prowess.

For example, effective communication is essential whether it is with individuals or groups and whether those people are internal or external to the business.