{"id":41323,"date":"2019-07-26T12:30:17","date_gmt":"2019-07-26T16:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainingindustry.com\/?post_type=articles&p=41323"},"modified":"2020-03-13T16:38:34","modified_gmt":"2020-03-13T20:38:34","slug":"how-to-convince-your-manager-to-sign-off-on-your-own-training-spon-exitcertified","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/trainingindustry.com\/articles\/professional-development\/how-to-convince-your-manager-to-sign-off-on-your-own-training-spon-exitcertified\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Convince Your Manager to Sign Off on Your Own Training"},"author":27,"featured_media":41324,"template":"","tags":[2601,1275,184,3310],"class_list":["post-41323","articles","type-articles","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-buy-in","tag-continuing-education","tag-professional-development","tag-training-professionals","global_topic_tax-professional-development","global_topic_tax-strategy-alignment-and-planning"],"acf":{"sponsored":true,"gated":false,"gated_content_type":"","file_attachment":null,"gated_content":"","form_instruction_header":"To access the full article, please fill out the form below:","pardot_html_embed":"","author_override":true,"author_name":"Diane Jamison","author_image":"","author_bio":"Diane Jamison is director of sales at ExitCertified<\/a>, a division of Tech Data.","excerpt":"Whether you\u2019re looking to improve your performance, or you\u2019re focused on taking the next step in your career, if you want you organization to pay for your training, you\u2019ll need to get your manager to sign off on it.","main_content":"As a learning and development professional, you can play a major role in helping your organization reach its goals, but you need to upgrade your own skills to do so. Whether you\u2019re looking to improve your performance, or you\u2019re focused on taking the next step in your career, if you want you organization to pay for your training, you\u2019ll need to get your manager to sign off on it.\r\n\r\nAs a training leader, your manager is probably well aware of the benefits of learning and development. Still, learning leaders are often so focused on their responsibility to develop others that they may have a hard time finding the budget or the time for their own team\u2019s development. This article will help you plan your conversation to get your manager to say \u201cyes\u201d to your request.\r\n\r\nFirst, you\u2019ll want to provide the reasons you\u2019re requesting training. Here are a few common reasons for training; make sure to present at least one or two of them to your manager.\r\n\r\nSystem Upgrades:<\/strong> This one should be a no-brainer, because enterprises are continuously updating software, applications or other technologies. Are you changing learning management systems (LMSs) or adding another learning technology vendor to the mix? More broadly, has Oracle<\/a> or SAP<\/a> upgraded to a new version? If so, don\u2019t waste any time between implementation and full productivity. As you well know, formal training can drastically shorten the learning curve.\r\n\r\nStaying Current With Technology:<\/strong> Being an expert in a particular software is no longer a reality. Every update presents an opportunity to obtain even more value out of the product, and training help you access that value sooner.\r\n\r\nEarning a Certification:<\/strong> While certifications are more common in IT<\/a> or other technical fields, training professionals are increasingly finding that certifications can help them develop critical skills and advance their careers. If you aspire to a training manager role, for example, you should ask for whatever support is available to you to set you on that path.","full_width":false,"content_band":[{"acf_fc_layout":"social_callout","blockquote":"If you aspire to a training manager role, you should ask for whatever support is available to you."},{"acf_fc_layout":"content_area","wysiwyg":"Team Skills:<\/strong> By speaking up, you could be helping your co-workers as much as yourself. In the case of team projects, everyone needs up-to-date skills to ensure a successful collaboration. If you train as a group, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be paying less per person than you would for individual training. And, if you opt for private group training<\/a>, you can have the course content tailored specifically to the needs of your team.\r\n\r\nEmployee Retention and Productivity:<\/strong> Good employees are hard to find, and it\u2019s the job candidate\u2019s market, including in the training industry. By investing in ongoing training, employers can take a big step toward cultivating a workforce that\u2019s happy, productive and loyal.\r\n\r\nAvoiding Outsourcing and Recruitment Costs:<\/strong> Organizations can longer afford to hire their way out of a skills shortage. It\u2019s expensive, and the speed of change in learning technologies makes that approach a short-term solution at best. The most cost-effective way to keep a company competitive is to build its skills from within.\r\n\r\nNow that you\u2019ve established why you need training, your next task is to present your case in a way that increases your odds of success. Here are some tips.\r\n\r\nAsk in Advance.<\/strong> If you wait until right before a course is offered to ask for approval, you\u2019ll be causing unnecessary stress and annoyance, and you might be turned down for that reason alone. Make your request a couple of months before the start of the course you want to take. That way, you\u2019ll have plenty of time to research and prepare your case before you have to book the session."},{"acf_fc_layout":"social_callout","blockquote":"Make your request a couple of months before the start of the course you want to take."},{"acf_fc_layout":"content_area","wysiwyg":"Show That You\u2019ve Done the Research.<\/strong> Take a look at all of the training available, and be prepared to say why you\u2019ve chosen one training vendor over another. If you want to skill up in a particular learning technology, visit that vendor\u2019s website and see if it has a list of approved training vendors or if it offers training in the platform itself.\r\n\r\nAnalyze the Costs.<\/strong> The cost of training can vary widely between vendors and courses. Choose courses from an authorized or accredited training provider\u2019s public schedule, or arrange private group training for your whole team. If travel costs are a deal-breaker, investigate whether remote training<\/a> might work for you.\r\n\r\nMake Sure Your Work Is Covered While You\u2019re Away.<\/strong> If you\u2019re wanting to do in-person training, or even virtual instructor-led training, your manager will want to know how your responsibilities will be covered while you\u2019re out of the office (or in the office but participating in online training<\/a>. It\u2019s smart to answer that question before your manager asks it. Classroom training typically lasts between one and five days, so be sure to arrange backup beforehand.\r\n\r\nPrepare the Business Case.<\/strong> Everything we\u2019ve established in this article so far adds up to the business case for training. All you need now are the details. What does the course cover? How much will it cost? Do you need to factor in travel and lodging? Present all of this information as concisely as possible so that your manager understands at a glance what you want and why it\u2019s a great idea.\r\n\r\nRemember that your goal is to make your request as effortless as possible for your manager. When you meet with them to present your case, be mindful that they are probably facing budgetary pressures that make it easier to say no than to say yes. Be aware that you might not receive approval the first time you ask, too. Be good-humored and easygoing in your approach, and avoid these most common rookie mistakes:"},{"acf_fc_layout":"social_callout","blockquote":"Remember that your goal is to make your request as effortless as possible for your manager."},{"acf_fc_layout":"content_area","wysiwyg":"Threatening to Quit:<\/strong> Suggesting that you might quit if your manager doesn\u2019t approve the training is a terrible idea that might even result in your being fired. If your request is turned down, accept that rejection graciously. Invest more time in developing your case so that you can revisit the issue a few months later. If the training is crucial to your career goals, look for ways to do it on your own.\r\n\r\nSlow-walking Your Job:<\/strong> It\u2019s worth repeating: If your request is turned down, accept it graciously. Adopting a work-to-rule attitude will negatively impact your reputation, and you might find yourself looking for a new job sooner than you had expected.\r\n\r\nImmediately Demanding a Raise:<\/strong> If your training request is approved, do not use your new skills as leverage for demanding more money right away. By spending money on professional development, your company has effectively given you a bonus \u2014 as well as skills you\u2019ll be able to use in future jobs.\r\n\r\nYour skills development is as much a benefit to your employer as it is to you. Nobody \u2014 least of all a learning leader \u2014 opposes the idea of training. The challenge comes in justifying the cost. The points presented here will help you build your case for professional development now and in the future.\r\n\r\nGood luck with your request!"},{"acf_fc_layout":"social_callout","blockquote":"Your skills development is as much a benefit to your employer as it is to you."},{"acf_fc_layout":"content_area","wysiwyg":"[hubspot type=\"form\" portal=\"47185625\" id=\"31abc617-027a-47ea-a085-16e2fd6a2d32\" version=\"v4\"]\r\n\r\n