"Sorry, it's not in the budget for next year."I hope that's not your answer when someone asks you what you're planning on budgeting for training next year. But if cash flow is tight, follow these ten tips for low-budget training ideas. Remember, training doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. You usually get what you pay for when you invest in training, but if you don't have the funds, then you don't have the funds. Here are some options:
1. Facilitate a weekly book report in your office. Buy a sales book for each person in your office and have Friday luncheon group discussions. Have one person study each chapter and give a detailed book report on it. Have them prepare handouts with charts, graphs, and summary key points of the chapter. People learn something better once they teach it, so get all of your staff involved and rotate the instructor each week.
2. Have the rookies train the veterans. Rookies have no fear and no baggage from being beat up over and over again in this business, so their perspective is fresh and provocative. They will question old ways of doing things, and are not yet afraid to try new things. So have them lead training for your big billers. The old dogs might even learn a new trick or two.
3. Have your rookies call former clients who hate you. Have them do a "Marketing Analysis" or some other relationship-building exercise with a fancy sounding name. The objective is to find out why your ex-clients hate you and left you. You might even win them back. Worst case scenario is that you'll know what not to do in the future.
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