Take 1 minute and calculate this: What’s your total development budget, divided by the number of employees?
No matter how ambitious your business goals are, or how polished your careers page looks, this simple calculation reveals a lot about your real approach to employee growth. It sheds light on the kind of results you can expect from your people and the future of your company.
At Archetype, our mission is to challenge the status quo and ensure your strategy aligns with your goals. It’s our responsibility to ask tough questions, keep you accountable, and support your ambitions for the future.
Soft skills are non-negotiable.
In 2024, developing soft skills is essential. Your employees need more than just technical expertise; they need emotional intelligence, adaptability, and strong communication skills. And this development is crucial at both the individual and team levels.
Yet, many companies overlook this area. Recently, we encountered a business that allocated the equivalent of one restaurant meal per employee for their annual development budget. The result? Predictably, they faced serious retention problems.
BBQ’s are nice but they are nut enough. Without a solid development plan, your team will not reach its potential, and you’ll struggle to retain top talent.
In today’s competitive environment, many candidates prioritize personal development opportunities over traditional perks like free lunches or gym memberships.
So ask yourself, what are you truly offering?
Invest in Development to Increase Performance
Developing your team’s soft skills is not just a nice-to-have : it’s a strategic necessity.
When done correctly, it can:
- Turn employees into brand ambassadors: Empowered employees who are invested in their own growth will naturally advocate for your brand.
- Foster team cohesion: When employees have the tools to communicate and collaborate effectively, you’ll see a significant improvement in workflow.
- Boost team performance: Development plans enhance individual performance, which in turn raises the productivity and innovation of the entire team.
Two Questions to Ask Yourself
When evaluating your current people strategy, here are two key questions to reflect on:
At the Group Level:
- Do you have a solid plan for team building or consolidation? If not, it’s time to prioritize this. Team cohesion doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional effort and resources.
- When is your next team seminar? These moments of collective growth can make a world of difference in how well your teams perform and collaborate.
At the Individual Level:
- Do you provide a clear development plan for each team member? Employees need to know their growth path. If there’s no plan in place, it’s easy for them to feel stagnant, leading to disengagement and eventual attrition.
- Are your team members real ambassadors for your company? Happy, engaged employees are your best advocates. If they aren’t speaking highly of your company, it’s time to dig deeper and find out why.
Take Action Today
2025 is fast approaching, and now is the perfect time to evaluate your development budget. Don’t leave it until it’s too late. Book a slot in Steve’s calendar for a 45-minute consultation to discuss how you can improve your people strategy for the year ahead.
📲 Schedule here: Steve’s Calendar
Don’t let your team development fall behind. Investing in your people is an investment in your future success. Let’s make 2025 the year you truly align your people strategy with your business ambition.
