After my post on changes in training attitudes, I have received several comments, both online and through additional face-to-face discussions. All this activity has gotten me thinking about other possible reasons for the change in the training environment. For instance, I wonder if this might be a workforce issue, based on the new workers entering the industry. The nature and make-up of the learners certainly has changed. This change is reflected in the modality of the learning, and the expectations and attitudes of the students.
These new, young learners have grown up in a Nintendo world (or, as my son Patrick would prefer, an Xbox 360 world). They are used to creativity and visual stimulation. As a result, they expect a different approach to their training – one that is more consistent with their experience and entertainment modalities. Online learning has become more popular, reflecting these attitudes.
Instant gratification has become the byword for this generation, as this is what they have come to expect. The internet gives us information instantly and cell phones keep us in instant contact wherever we are and at anytime. Even digital cameras let us see our photos instantaneously, whereas we used to have to wait days. I think much of this attitude has spilled over into expectations, from both a training and career perspective.
Attitudes have changed, also. There has been a visible evolution of attitudes toward jobs and careers. When the equipment leasing industry was young, its members were hungry for training and education, as it set them apart and created career opportunities. As the industry started to mature, the members viewed training as the employer’s investment in their career. Today, new employees want an experience-based salary, fast-track advancement, and a silver bullet as a training solution. They do not see the need to learn, build, and develop in their careers.
So, there is another possibility for you to consider. Whatever the reasons, the attitudes have changed and training is taking a back seat. On the bright side, these changes have created a golden opportunity for those lessors with knowledgeable and trained employees. These employees make processes run smoother and create more satisfied customers, all of which add to the lessor’s bottom-line profitability.
Folks who care about Technical Excellence and have a true commitment to their clients, also understand the true value of Quality Industry Training.
I have had discussions with so many folks whose backgrounds were formed by years of high quality lease training (from folks like you Shawn),who suspect that the reduced training in our Industry has a direct correlation to a large number of the fraud cases that have been showing up in the news this year.
While I know 1st hand that fraud is a difficult thing to quickly uncover,I am convinced that the Video games mentality has a big part in the increase in this type of activity.
We all just want to PUSH the "Staples" "EASY BUTTON" & POOF !!Our Leases are quickly structured by SUPERTRUMP, analysed by an EXCEL CREDIT Modeling Template and properly documented in a Lease Accounting Software Module(that no one understands).
By the way, I'd much rather sit through a Quality Training Session with you interspersed with Humor that you can't find anywhere, and I do mean anywhere.
You just can't get that from a Video Game.
The Alternative for CEO's who make decisions about Dollars spent on Training (& Innovation)is that they can always spend even more money to pay for all those future fraud deals.
That being said,I think we could all benefit from a training seminar called the Perfect Storm Part II, "Drowning in the Sea of Fraud".
Perhaps then we would have fewer deals that are underwater from the get go.
Hey, Did someone just Push that EASY BUTTON ?
Posted by: Larry Greer GPS CAPITAL | January 27, 2006 7:11 PM | Permalink to Comment