Business Training Needs: Knowing, Doing, Believing

In the fast-paced economic environment, businesses that consistently invest in training and development are more likely to succeed. However, just offering training programs is not enough. It’s essential for companies to understand and address the three fundamental needs of business training: knowing, doing, and believing.

Knowing refers to the knowledge component of training. Here, employees learn about new concepts, tools, regulations, or information they need to perform their jobs effectively. It answers the “what” question of training—what are the new tax laws this year? What is our new customer relationship management system? What are the steps in our updated sales process? Knowledge is the groundwork upon which employees can build skills and attitudes.

However, knowing is not enough by itself. The next step is doing—or the application of knowledge. This involves putting what they’ve learned into practice. Employees must be able to apply their understanding in real-world situations: resolving customer issues using a new software system, implementing a new marketing strategy, or following those updated sales processes in live scenarios. This is where theoretical knowledge is tested against practical challenges.

The third need is believing—this targets the attitudes and beliefs of employees towards applying their new skills. For businesses, it’s crucial that employees believe in the change that comes with training. They need to see how new practices can result in improvements or benefits both for them and for the business as a whole. Without belief in the value of new knowledge and skills, employees are less likely to adopt them earnestly.

For a training program to be well-rounded and effective it must encompass all three aspects—knowing, doing, and believing. When employees know what changes are required, can actually carry them out, and truly believe in their worthiness, they are far more committed to making lasting changes that drive business success.

To conclude, businesses should strive for comprehensive training strategies that address these three essential needs. By fostering a culture where knowledge is gained, applied effectively, and believed in wholeheartedly, organizations will be well-equipped to face challenges head-on with a team that’s ready for continuous growth and adaptation.