Over the last 20 years of helping companies increase productivity, we found that implementing a quality training program is the number one way to improve productivity, increase retention and morale in a company. The better your people know software and cloud services, the more productive they can be. 

In our own company, we 've moved from face-to-face training to cloud-based video training. We add lots of new software each year and want to learn without the added expense and time of traveling to training classes. We're amazed at how wonderful the training classes have been to watch and use to improve our skill sets. The instructors have been excellent. They know their stuff and do a great job in making the subjects interesting.

As leaders in an organization, executives often face a delicate balance between ensuring projects are completed successfully and empowering their managers to grow and develop. Sometimes, when faced with urgent or critical tasks, executives may choose to jump in and complete the work themselves. However, an alternative approach is coaching managers to execute the projects effectively. In this article, we will explore the results of each approach and the long-term implications for the team and the organization.

So how many times have you watched a Product Demo in a Webinar, Trade Show or in a face-to-face meeting and all you see is a Rep walking you through each feature and function on the webpage?

Then the Rep clicks on another page, shows you another feature (or the application settings) and does it all again. At the end of a 10 to 45-minute demo, they ask you if you have any questions.  Sound familiar?

Unfortunately, when you see this type of demo, you are watching a typical demo done by 80% of Sales Reps and Business Development Reps. Yesterday, I sat through another demo just like this.

There is a better way!

Back in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was quoted as saying... "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." Such a profound quote. We can't help but wonder what JFK would have thought about today's speed of change.

The Digital Transformation megatrend is dramatically changing the way executives, management and employees collaborate and communicate in the workplace. With technology evolving at such a rapid pace, it's more important now than ever before to keep up your skill sets and adapt to new ways of doing business. More than 50-percent of the jobs of tomorrow aren't even in existence at this time - infact no one has even thought of them yet! Continuous learning, personal development and coaching are a necessity in all aspects of life to survive and thrive the Digital Transformation megatrend that is just beginning.

"When you take the time to focus on your employees' personal needs and goals (in addition to your business goals), you gain loyalty and increased productivity.  Everyone wants their boss to care about them.  It's not just the Millennials.... everyone feels that way."

Over the years, I've had the benefit of being managed and taught by some really great executives. The following are a few of the best practices for developing people that I learned and implemented in my own organizations.