IT is the key to SME growth – but only if it comes with training
By Robert Marr, managing director, t2 Business Solutions
Business in Wales
New technology may be moving at breakneck speed but too many small businesses still think of IT as the tail that wags the dog.
Investment in IT is set to rise by 23 per cent amongst SME businesses in the UK this year, but without the relevant IT training, it could be money down the drain according to one new survey.
The recent study by the British Computer Society showed that four out of five employers believed that IT training was important, but worryingly less than one in ten of them had actually embarked on any form of IT skills development.
Good IT is a powerful tool for a business and is now frequently used to implement strategies such as supply chain management, customer relationship management, resource planning and database maintenance, which can revolutionise the way a business operates.
Everyone knows the huge advantages IT can bring to a business – improved customer service, better communications, increased productivity and greater efficiency to name but a few – but some fail to realise that none of this will be possible if staff don’t know how to use the equipment properly.
The latest information technology sells itself on the fact that it can produce new, faster, more efficient ways of doing business that can save time and money – and that’s what appeals to growing businesses.
The worry is that businesses, particularly SMEs looking for that crucial competitive advantage, are falling over themselves to buy the most up-to-date technology without leaving any budget left for the training that needs to accompany their latest purchase. Without training, they are simply adding to their expenses and never seeing the full benefit.
Getting the technology on board is only half the battle to success and giving staff the understanding and knowledge of how to work it will complete the picture.
IT covers a wide range of support systems in business, including everything from PCs and peripheral IT, like printers, fax machines and franking machines, to computer software, company servers and telephone systems, and nearly every worker in the UK will be engaged with some form of IT on a daily basis.
To gauge how important teaching staff to use IT is, think of a factory. You would never dream of putting in a new piece of manufacturing equipment on the factory floor and expect workers to start work with it without first teaching them how to use it. It is no different with IT.
If a business purchases a new computer system for the office, simply assuming staff know how to use it is not going to reap any benefits. There could be many features staff are not aware of or don’t know how to use properly and this can be a waste of time and money for everyone involved.
Small businesses in particular often see IT training as too expensive and time-consuming. Understandably, they don’t want any unnecessary extra costs adding to their investment, nor want to take workers away from their jobs for any length of time.
What most don’t realise is that training has come a long way. IT training isn’t restricted to a classroom, it can be provided on-the-job and can be tailored to the business’s needs. This ensures that workers don’t have to give up too much time and can see how the training can be applied on an every day basis to their job.
Bespoke practical training like this is by far the most cost effective too, as far less production time is lost and the training is more relevant to the job in hand.
Furthermore a well-trained, IT literate workforce is more efficient and creative, making full use of the company’s investment and creating a more stream-line approach to the work they do.
Think of all the resources that have been saved by the introduction of email. The same can be true for other IT applications too.
t2 business solutions runs a wide range of IT courses for businesses including basic skills programmes such as Introduction to PCs and Windows, to software-based courses including intermediate and advanced stages in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. It also offers comprehensive courses in Computer Literacy and Information Technology (CLAIT) and the European Computer Driving Licence.
t2 business solutions, which is part of the t2 Group, is one of Wales’s leading training and business solution providers, offering bespoke training packages to businesses and individuals. For further information, please call Dave Marr at t2 on 01633 212133 or visit www.t2business.co.uk
The Millennium School of Motoring in Cwmbran is just one of many small businesses in Wales working with t2 business solutions to develop its staff’s IT skills.
With only 15 members of staff, the growing business needed to ensure that its office ran as smoothly as possible and that its record keeping, information and accounts databases were used efficiently.
Office Manager, Emma Evans from The Millennium School of Motoring was the business’s first employee to have personal training from t2’s business solutions.
She said: “t2 arranged a three step programme for me to get a better understanding of the IT systems we have in place. First, I had four half-day training sessions on a one-to-one basis with one of their tutors to help me learn the basics in a practical way using the workbooks I was given.
“After the training the tutor gave me sample tests of the European Computer Driving License (ECDL), which was the next stage in my training to complete. He then marked the tests, giving me feedback all the while.
“After that, t2 teamed me up with learndirect to get started on the ECDL. I’ve already passed two of the modules and I’ve now also started an NVQ Level Two in IT to get some extra qualifications under my belt.
“The support t2 has given me has been tremendous. By having the one-to-one training, I could show my tutor the software packages I was dealing with and go over any questions face-to-face. It has made a big impact on my job, making day-to-day, as well as more complex tasks, easier to handle and more efficient.”
Mike Dean, Company Director at The Millennium School of Motoring, said: “For a small growing business like ourselves having a comprehensive IT system in place was essential, but we recognised that training the staff in how to use it properly and to its full benefit was even more critical.
“The training Emma was given has really benefited her and the company. As well as being able to fully utilise the IT systems in place, it has also given her a greater confidence in her job.” |
