Training is far more than a gesture to show employees that you care about them. Neither is it intended to be a sop to shareholders to show them how focussed you are on long term profitability. It is a crucial part of any business.

The reason businesses support training is that they want their departments to perform as well as possible and ensure that business goals and objectives are met. In common with other forms of expenditure such as marketing and sales, research and development or even direct costs such as manufacturing or raw materials, organisations expect to see a return on their investment.

The training needs analysis will not only have identified the areas that need to be covered, but also the weaknesses in the organisation as a result of those skills or knowledge gaps. It will be easy to say, therefore, what the organisation is looking for in return for its investment in training. This may be improved customer satisfaction, better compliance with legal requirements, higher sales or profitability, improved productivity or a measurable increase in staff morale.

Whether you are dealing with management training, or more specific areas, it is vital to tie all training to the organisation’s aims.