Training: The Key to Productivity and Staff Retention

[en-GB]Training: The Key to Productivity and Staff Retention

Training and Staff

Bob Cotton, OBE, explains why he feels so passionately about upskilling employees.

Training The Key To Productivity And Staff Retention | P&G Professional

“As the saying goes, an army marches on its stomach. As such, every hospitality, care home, and facilities management business survives on the skills and motivation of its workforce.” While continued capital investment is important, it is the skills of the workforce which provide the customer experience that will enable your business to flourish.
 
In challenging and uncertain economic times, investing in employee training can seem non-essential, especially when almost half (48%) of ‘Back of House’ staff change employer within a year of joining a company1. But we need to ask ‘Why are they leaving so quickly?’. Four in ten (38%) cited a need for greater personal development2. So let’s give them this growth and invest in training, making them feel valued, empowered and loyal to your company.
 
The UK Learning & Development Report 2018 shows that none of the companies spending above the national average of £300 per employee on training, have a retention rate of less than six months and are twice as likely to say their employees are highly satisfied. It’s findings like this which are the reason I recommend a minimum of 1% of payroll costs should be set aside for training and development - particularly for junior employees.
 
One simple way to help employees achieve confidence, and in turn, satisfaction, is by giving them easy-to-use products and tools that help complete cleaning tasks simply and efficiently. A good example are the cleaning products and systems offered by P&G Professional. These easy-to-use, simple-to-learn, and safe products can help get the job done right the first time.
 
The Flash Professional system includes multi-purpose products for ease and efficiency, such as the Flash Professional pH Neutral Floor + Delicate Surface Cleaner, Flash Professional Disinfecting Multi-Purpose + Glass Cleaner, Flash Professional Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner and Febreze Professional Fabric Refresher. The accurate dosing, at the push of a button, means cleaning staff can safely dispense the exact amount of product needed with ease. And because the products are simple to use, training is simple as well.
 
While cleaning products are often thought of as a cost outlay, enabling employees with the tools and capabilities to work smarter and more confidently can help turn this cost into a true value.
 
The ready availability of foreign labour has made some employers lazy, and as a result, training has taken a backseat. With the changing economic times, the objective for businesses must be to make the most of staff at all levels. Only through planned, continuous, persistent training can your business flourish.”

“As the saying goes, an army marches on its stomach

## About Bob Cotton, OBE
Bob Cotton OBE is a member of P&G Professional’s Expert Advisory Council and former Chief Executive Officer of the British Hospitality Association (BHA).