The key to the success of any company is its intellectual capital and its employees’ skills, but some top decisionmakers are put off by the possibility of raising these through staff training because training takes time away from business activity. But surely learning should be seen as part of a job and not as an optional extra?

Organizations in Moscow are increasingly realizing the value of making an investment in their employees’ knowledge and skills. Yekaterina Timokina, of training and consultancy firm Team Training, says her company is now doing even better than it did before the August 1998 financial crisis, and that she’s noticed growing numbers of people attending HR and training forums in Moscow.

Svetlana Ivanova, HR manager at Johnson & Johnson states that employee training is essential, not just because of the real skills it develops, but also because of the motivation it gives employees, especially those who are orientated on personal growth.

Ivanova said that team-building and assessment training are also important because in exercises, such as role-playing games, employees reveal both their real and potential skills.

Ideally, training should combine on-the-job coaching— where employees receive informal guidance and learn by doing — with structured training. The latter is generally done in house, either by specialist trainers, or by subject experts.

Lastly, it is important for employees to be consulted on their training needs, decisions should be made with the cooperation of both employees and managers. The best training is fun, interactive, practical and meets business and individual requirements.