Start the New Year with a Development Plan

Traditionally, each new year is a time for reflection and goal-setting for the future. You may have done this for yourself, now do it for your company and your employees. What are your company’s goals for the new year? What training or skills would help you and your employees reach your business goals?

To get started, design a development plan that outlines the goals you have in mind for your company and your employees—after all, goals clearly direct attention and effort toward action. Here are a few ways you can set development goals for yourself or your employees.

Identify Development Needs:

  • Finalize your company’s goals for the new year
  • Identify what skills or behaviors are needed by you and/or your employees
  • Assess current versus desired skill sets
  • Create development plans based on gaps

Once you have identified your development needs, write your goals using the SMART method:

  • Specific – Simple and easy to describe.
  • Measurable – Concrete measurement to assess progress and goal achievement.
  • Attainable – Challenging, but not impossible to achieve.
  • Relevant – The goal has meaning to your company’s purpose.
  • Time-based – Has an end date.

Developing a skill or behavior can be done in various ways:

  • Coaching
  • Continuing Professional Education Programs
  • Courses
  • Job Assignments
  • Job Rotations
  • Mentoring
  • Online Training
  • Training Seminars

It’s up to you to determine what the most appropriate method is to make the transfer of learning the most successful. In-house training or online training through webinars are a couple of ways to accomplish this. Oasis has made a number of webinars available to our PEO clients and their employees through the employee services website. No matter what your personal or business goals are for the year, vow to make the new year the best yet.