Difficult Choices

Former US President John F. Kennedy once said that making difficult choices, like deciding to go to the moon, is done, “not because they are easy, but because they are hard”. Ultimately, the goal will enable us to measure and organise our energies and skills, and use them in the most productive and effective ways.

When I read this quote I realised that continuously searching for new opportunities –although they may include difficult choices that challenge my skills and energies – is a habit that ultimately enhances my abilities. One such challenge, which Republic Bank’s leadership team thinks is imperative, is encouraging our staff to engage in continuous learning.

We offer a wide range of interactive training programmes in a variety of fields from Information Technology to Fraud Prevention. Similarly, supporting those who wish to attend tertiary educational institutions to enrol in specialised diploma, certificate and degree programmes, is also a priority.

We also encourage employee engagement through coaching conversations, internships and formal and informal mentoring.

You see, before entering into any training and development programme it’s important to take an inventory of the needs of the organisation, as well as its strategic goals, and then plan accordingly. A blend of teaching methods as well as programme offerings – from modular to one-day sessions – may also enhance enrolment and staff engagement.

I wanted to share some of the key foundation training programmes that other organisations may find beneficial. Of course these will vary according to industry, size and services.

• Effective Communication (including Presentation/Public Speaking sessions)
• Time Management
• Project Management
• Leadership Training
• Diversity and Gender Sensitivity Training
• Anti- Fraud/Anti Money Laundering Awareness
• Information Technology Training
• Financial Planning Programmes
• Healthy Hearts and Minds – physical and mental health awareness

Over the years, organisations have also found that encouraging and developing interactive clubs and groups, focussed on many areas of interest including sports, the arts, and current issues, help to generate interest and excitement. It can also be rewarding to develop both a virtual and an on-site library so that access to fiction and non-fiction books, training literature and manuals is free, easy, and convenient.

Allowing staff time-off to attend accredited training programmes, offering financial assistance and developing incentives for graduates, are also fundamentally important to the success of these initiatives.

There’s no price that one can place on the importance of continuous learning, whether through formal classroom or informal avenues. Although there are challenges in balancing study with work and family life, making those hard choices are always profoundly rewarding.