6 ways to support employee growth and professional development

This post was originally authored by Christine Soeun Choi of Fit Small Business.

When employees check out from their jobs, businesses suffer: Gallup estimates that low engagement costs the global economy $8.8 trillion, and accounts for 9% of global GDP.

One way to keep workers committed is through employee growth and creating a budget for professional development programs and initiatives. A proactive approach to employee engagement can mitigate turnover and increase productivity. Here are six ways to support employee growth and professional development in the workplace.

1. How to retain employees: Recognition and rewards

Start by creating a company culture that rewards exceptional work. It's one of the most cost-effective ways to boost your employer brand. 

Recognition programs and rewards motivate employees and encourage loyalty. Performance levels and job satisfaction increase when workers feel valued and their efforts are recognized. Happy employees, in turn, are more likely to be promoters for their companies in online forums and real life. 

While monthly or annual awards are great, consider recognizing your employees spontaneously: 47% of employees prefer unplanned rewards.

[Related: How to evolve your employer brand without a big budget]

2. How managers support employees: Real-time feedback 

According to a study from Wakefield Research, more than 90 percent of employees would prefer that their manager address learning opportunities and mistakes in real-time, rather than only during an annual review. 

Knowing your weaknesses is an important step in personal and professional development. Processes that help management organize and assess the strengths and weaknesses of their employees on an ongoing basis are key. It's critical that the manager then communicate the results of those assessments throughout the year - either weekly, monthly, or quarterly.

An ongoing evaluation and communication process provides a feedback loop that helps employees understand the areas where they need more training. Organizations should implement processes to continuously assess the strengths and weaknesses of their employees and communicate those results throughout the year.

3. Professional development for employees: Mentorship and coaching

Another way for businesses to support employee growth and professional development is through mentoring and coaching programs. Both mentors and mentees can benefit from these types of programs.

Professional development and training typically fall on direct managers, but more expansive mentorship can ease the burden on managers while equipping more junior team members with the institutional knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. It can also help senior leaders identify and foster promising talent within the organization.

4. Developmental areas for work: Soft skills

Organizations need to proactively develop soft skills for employees and managers.

Soft skills refer to the personal traits and non-technical attributes that help workers succeed. These skills can include areas like time management, delegation, active listening, and communication, among others. Organizations that offer training and educational resources for soft-skill development, particularly for younger professionals, can increase the productivity of their entire team - not just the employee.

5. Activities for learning and development:  Cross-departmental training 

Businesses are becoming less siloed. Whether you work as a production manager or a front-line sales representative, there is value in understanding how every unit operates. 

As such, organizations can support employee growth and professional development by implementing cross-departmental training programs. They can help employees understand different areas of the business, and how their roles impact other units within the company. Eliminating departmental barriers can improve communication from one unit to the next, increasing the efficiency of your entire organization.

6. Invest in your professional development budget

Organizations need creative ways to engage workers and increase their loyalty. Employee growth initiatives and skill-development programs are two long-term strategies that provide the foundation to improve employee satisfaction. Employees are a business's most valuable resource, so leaders should prioritize investing in their success.

How managers at your organization actively support and develop their direct reports matters and will show up in company reviews. To get involved in the conversation on Glassdoor and start managing and promoting your employer brand reputation, unlock your Free Employer Profile today.
Christine Soeun Choi is a digital marketing associate at Fit Small Business. Currently based in NYC, she has a background in business studies and math with a passion for business development.