Training Talk: Hard-Hitting Articles on Computer Training, Management, and IT-related Issues.

So you got yet another throw-away ad in the mail, offering computer or soft skills training. You riffle the ad casually, holding it precariously over the trash bin as you eye its contents. “Get more done in less time,” “Be more efficient,” “Unlock the potential of your computer and your mind” are some of the headlines that leap out at you.

Yeah yeah yeah. Sure, you’re thinking. Maybe you will get some of those benefits, but maybe you won’t. But why does training have to be so darn expensive?

It’s a fair question, and as the owner and operator of a training company, I think I have a unique perspective to offer you.

First of all, keep in mind that there is a lot of hidden cost to the trainer and training company. This comes in the form of a huge time commitment to learn software, keep up to date, and also to market themselves on an ongoing basis; this simply takes a lot of time. Also, if the trainer comes to you, there is considerable effort he/she must make in driving, finding your business, setting up the training room before the course, etc.

And I haven’t even mentioned direct costs such as computers, software, books, certifications, etc. Even a small training company can have a lot of hidden overhead you don’t see when they show up, smiling on your doorstep.

Additionally, the skills the trainer imparts help you and your employees do their jobs. Essentially, the trainer is providing you with the tools to do your business at the highest level possible. Isn’t it important, and valuable, to you as a business owner and/or personnel manager to have your business run as smoothly and efficiently as possible? Isn’t maximizing profits important, and can’t computer and soft-skills training assist you in meeting these goals?

Hiring a training company based on price alone, as with any product or service, is usually a big mistake. There are a lot of hacks in the computer and soft-skills training business, who are willing to work for peanuts. Peanuts are for elephants, and not for high-caliber people. How much does losing a whole day to poor training cost you in the long run? The simple maxim generally shows itself to be true: you do get what you pay for.

Finally, it comes down to value and respect for the trainer and/or training company and what they can provide for you. High-level people do not spend hours and hours for free; they know what their time is worth, and they ask for what the market will bear as fair return for their efforts. How much time would you give away for nothing, or for little return? Finding people who demand excellence from themselves, and in turn share it with you, is a valuable commodity worth voting for with your training dollars. And finding this kind of excellence along with honesty, a respect for you and your employees, and a great personality...well, that is simply rare.

We at PC Training Experts know the value of your time, and we provide stellar computer and soft-skills training for reasonable rates. Principle trainer Mike Phillips has been a trainer for over 16 years, and has taught folks from every walk of life, in huge companies such as NASA and IBM, all the way down to Mom ‘n Pop stores. Give us a call at (949) 355-8069 or contact us now to set up your first stellar training session and help put your business on the right track. You’ll be glad you did!