Whether it’s a tactic to combat a skills shortage or a means of keeping workers more engaged, companies are recognizing the benefits of professional development through employee training.
At 2020 Spaces, we spend a lot of time talking about the benefits of our kitchen and bathroom design software. But to fully grasp all the solutions we offer and witness all the benefits we can’t stop talking about, you need to be trained to optimize the software for your company.
That’s why we want to help you make a compelling case for your employer to invest in you through our training. Doing so is almost the very definition of a mutually beneficial opportunity. Everyone stands to benefit from investing in 2020 software training.
Here are five practical steps to make a convincing case for bathroom and kitchen design software training:
Step 1 – Research your company’s employee training policy
Before you bring up software training to your manager, you should do your homework on the company’s existing policies.
- Ask HR whether there is an employee training program available.
- Ask what the allocated budget is for each employee.
- Ask if other employees have previously requested 2020 software training.
- Ask if there are any additional incentives (co-op, scholarships, reimbursements, etc.).
Finding out about your company’s paid software training policy equips you with the information you need should your company have any reservations.
Step 2 – Gather information about the training program
Now it’s time to thoroughly research the specific type of 2020 software training you’re interested in. You need to be prepared to answer any question your manager may have, which will in turn prove that you’re dedicated and serious about the training. The questions typically center around:
- Cost
- Schedule
- Curriculum
- Registration process
- Type of training (online, in-person, etc.)
Once you’ve gathered all the information, you also need to compare the training program you’ve chosen with other options. You should demonstrate that the training you selected is the best and most cost-effective option.
Step 3 – Calculate the potential ROI for your company
As previously mentioned, the right training represents a mutually beneficial opportunity. You may need to convince your company that paying for 2020 software training is as beneficial to the business as it will be to you.
- Will it help you design rooms faster and more accurately?
- Will it set you apart from the competition?
- Will it help you close more sales?
- Will you be able to pass on the skills to your team?
- Will you be able to take on more responsibility?
If you can show your manager that investing in you is worth the time and money, you’ll get it approved in no time.
Step 4 – Sell yourself
Don’t underestimate the power of a narrative. If you’re a hard worker and you’ve proven your value in the past, remind your manager of that by telling the story of how you’ve helped the company. Combining hard fact with a compelling personal touch is a sure way to get your 2020 software training approved.
- List your past achievements.
- Leverage your excellent performance review.
- Plan your future goals.
Now that you’ve come up with a foolproof plan, you’re ready to draft an email. But use your intuition. If you have a close working relationship with your manager, a face-to-face meeting might be more effective.
Step 5 – Email your request
This is when everything you’ve been working on comes together. Make sure you include all the information your manager is going to need to make an informed decision.
- Include the cost of the training and the time it will take.
- Include a copy of the course outline.
- Include all the reasons why 2020 software training will improve your work.
- Talk about ROI.
Your email needs to be professional, to the point and convincing. Sign off by asking your manager to let you know what they want and if they would like to meet to discuss the matter further.
Sample email
Hello [NAME],
I am writing to request your approval to enroll in the [NAME OF 2020 SOFTWARE] training program. I feel I need further training to learn all the functionality the software has to offer, which will help me design spaces more quickly and accurately.
Course details: [take this from the website]
Course duration:
Course fee:
Course location: [this could be online or in-class]
Website link: [link to the course]
By attending this training, I’ll also be able to impart my knowledge to other team members. Simply knowing the basics of [NAME OF 2020 SOFTWARE] isn’t enough, and I think advanced training would allow us to take on more clients and close more sales.
Please let me know what you think, and I can set up a meeting should you want to discuss this further.
Thank you and have a great day,
[Your Name]
Final tip
If you’re choosing an in-class 2020 software training course, your manager will most likely ask you how you’re planning on making up the time and who will cover your work while you’re away. You need to be prepared and have a plan in place should that be a potential deal-breaker.
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