There is no one size fits all approach to development. Each company comes with its own challenges and objectives. The important thing, however, is that we seek to develop employees, no matter where we work. At PerkSpot, we believe a large part of success can be contributed to the ongoing training and development of our employees, both professionally and personally.
Why do we develop?
We go to great lengths to ensure that each employee feels that he or she has room to grow at PerkSpot. Not only does this align with our company culture, but it’s also beneficial to our business. According to a Gallup poll, 70% of American employees don’t feel they’re working to their full potential. Employee development programs can improve upon that number. As an employee gains new skills, companies will see an increase in motivation, productivity and pride among employees.
How do we develop?
As we mentioned, employee development plans should be unique to your business. PerkSpot offers various ways for employees to learn and develop and we do it the right way. We strive to make employee development fun and beneficial – it should never feel like a chore. When done properly, employee development programs should feel like a great perk! For some suggestions on how to boost growth that’s right for your business, we recommend one of these tried and true ideas:
Interdepartmental Training
Did you know that only 31% of the US workforce receives formal training when they begin their job? Not only do we make sure a new employee feels comfortable in his or her new role when they start, but we also put an emphasis on training in other departments. In doing so, an employee can gain a full understanding of the company they’re working for. This makes their job easier, as well as the work they’re doing better. Everybody wins!
Peer-to-Peer Mentoring
Sometimes, an informal approach to mentorship is preferable, especially in a smaller company like ours! During the onboarding process, we assign each new hire a coffee buddy from a different department. The two employees will schedule a couple of coffee dates, preferably within the first few weeks. Even after an employee has settled into their new role, having a coffee buddy to chat with can be nice. Sometimes, we discuss projects we’re currently working on. Other times, we take up subjects like current hobbies and skills we’ve been enjoying. Not only does this allow employees to get to know each other outside of the office place, but it can also be a source of professional and personal inspiration for a fellow employee.
On-site Education
At PerkSpot, there’s only one thing better than the chance to learn – free food AND learning! We PerkSpotters love our Lunch & Learns, where we can gain useful insights into important projects our coworkers have been working on. Sometimes, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in our own tasks that we forget how vital each of our colleagues is to our company’s success. Lunch & Learns exist as a great reminder of this. Plus, PerkSpot provides lunch! How can you go wrong?
Professional Development Opportunities
Perhaps the most unique of our development offerings at PerkSpot is the professional sabbatical. Any employee who has been with PerkSpot for three years is given the opportunity to take two weeks of paid leave and a small stipend. Within that two weeks, the opportunities are endless! Anything you can find that will help you to develop skills and improve performance, both in your career and your personal life, are encouraged by PerkSpot. All we ask is that you return to the office refreshed and full of stories for us!
We work hard to cultivate a community of employees that are excited and motivated to improve on all facets of their life, and with the development programs PerkSpot offers, it’s not difficult! We hope these tips have inspired you to provide more avenues for employee development in ways that work for your business.
