A lack of training for employees can cost a business more than money. It can also cost a company its reputation. Without proper training, employees are left to figure out methods, technologies and protocols on their own, and the redundancies and missteps can quickly add up to trouble for any business.
Loss of Clients and Customers
If an employee is not properly trained, she doesn't know how the company does business. When a client or customer calls, an under-trained employee may not be able to answer questions or provide the level of customer service the customer expects. Without a grasp of the company's mission, goals and products or services, an employee can put off a potential customer or alienate an existing one.
High Turnover
Companies may skirt a comprehensive training program because they feel the money spent to paying a trainee who is not contributing to the bottom line is not worth it. But this shortcut can lead to employees who cannot do their jobs effectively, and this usually leads to frustration, low productivity, errors, and low morale. When morale is low, employees do not stick around, and high staff turnover is a wasteful, costly way of doing business.
The Ripple Effect
It is always a challenge for companies to find competent people, especially among lower-echelon positions who could potentially move into management. When lack of training leads to high employee turnover, the pool of potential, promotable managers diminishes. In such circumstances, a business is not just letting its brightest prospects walk out the door, it often is consigned to promoting second-choice employees. This, in turn, creates managers who might not be able to train the next wave of hires.
Reinventing the Wheel
Where training is poor or nonexistent, employees and even managers repeat mistakes. Training greatly increases employee efficiency and productivity. It also keeps employees up to speed with new technologies and the most up-to-date best practices. This is especially important in jobs that involve manufacturing or machinery, where simple mistakes can lead to destroyed product or, worst of all, injuries to employees.