Business Skills Training: Developing Your Team for Growth

Last updated: September 2025

Business skills training – it’s the investment that many growing companies put off until “next quarter” or “when things calm down.” But here’s the reality: if you’re waiting for the perfect time to develop your team’s skills, you’re already falling behind your competitors who aren’t waiting.

As a business owner, you know your team is your greatest asset, Just like ensuring you have the right number of first aiders for workplace safety, having the right business skills is essential for growth.

But are you giving them the business skills training they need to help your company grow? More importantly, are you developing the skills that will actually make a difference to your bottom line?

The truth is, business skills training isn’t just about ticking development boxes – it’s about creating a team that can drive real business growth.

Why Business Skills Training Matters More Than Ever

In today’s competitive market, technical skills alone aren’t enough. Your team needs the business acumen, communication abilities, and leadership skills to help your company thrive. Business skills training bridges the gap between having good employees and having employees who actively contribute to business success.

The Business Reality:

87% of companies report skills gaps in their workforce
Businesses that invest in training see 24% higher profit margins
Employee retention increases by 30-50% with proper development programs
Productivity improvements of 15-25% are common after targeted training

The Cost of Not Training:

Lost opportunities due to skill gaps
Higher staff turnover and recruitment costs
Reduced productivity and efficiency
Competitors gaining market advantage
Stagnant business growth

Common Business Skills Training Gaps We See

After working with businesses across Herefordshire and beyond, we’ve identified the same business skills training gaps appearing time and again:

Leadership and Management Skills:

New managers promoted without management training
Lack of delegation and team development skills
Poor communication with team members
Inability to handle difficult conversations
No clear leadership development pathway

Communication and Customer Service:

Inconsistent customer service standards
Poor internal communication causing delays
Lack of presentation and meeting skills
Email and written communication issues
Conflict resolution abilities missing

Sales and Business Development:

Fear of selling or asking for business
No structured sales process or training
Poor understanding of customer needs
Lack of negotiation skills
Missing follow-up and relationship building

Digital and Technical Skills:

Outdated software knowledge
Poor understanding of digital marketing
Lack of data analysis capabilities
Inefficient use of business systems
Resistance to new technology adoption

Business Skills Training: Online vs Face-to-Face Delivery

One of the most common questions we get about business skills training is: “Should we do online learning or face-to-face training?” The answer depends on your specific needs, but here’s what works best for different situations:

Online Business Skills Training Works Best For:

Knowledge-based skills – policies, procedures, compliance
Self-paced learning – allowing flexible scheduling around work
Consistent delivery – same message to all team members
Cost-effective scaling – training multiple people efficiently
Regular updates – keeping skills current with minimal disruption

Face-to-Face Business Skills Training Works Best For:

Interactive skills – communication, leadership, sales techniques
Team building – developing group dynamics and collaboration
Complex problem-solving – scenarios requiring discussion and debate
Hands-on practice – role-playing and skill application
Immediate feedback – real-time coaching and adjustment

Our Hybrid Approach:

At Marches Group, we’ve found the most effective business skills training combines both approaches:

Online modules for knowledge and theory
Face-to-face sessions for practice and application
Ongoing support through our platform and consultancy

Essential Business Skills Training Areas for Growing Companies

Not sure where to start with business skills training? Here are the areas that deliver the biggest impact for growing businesses:

1. Leadership Development

Why it matters: Every growing business needs leaders at every level Key skills: Team motivation, decision-making, strategic thinking, delegation Business impact: Better team performance, reduced management bottlenecks, succession planning

2. Communication Skills

Why it matters: 87% of companies report skills gaps in their workforce, according to the CIPD’s latest research Key skills: Presentation skills, active listening, written communication, difficult conversations Business impact: Improved customer relationships, faster project delivery, reduced conflicts

3. Sales and Customer Service

Why it matters: Every team member represents your business to customers Key skills: Customer needs analysis, objection handling, relationship building, service recovery Business impact: Increased revenue, better customer retention, positive reputation

4. Time Management and Productivity

Why it matters: Inefficiency costs growing businesses thousands in lost productivity Key skills: Priority setting, workflow optimisation, meeting management, delegation Business impact: Increased output, reduced stress, better work-life balance

5. Digital Skills

Why it matters: Poor communication costs businesses an average of £37,000 per year, according to workplace communication studies Key skills: Software proficiency, data analysis, digital marketing basics, cyber security awareness Business impact: Competitive advantage, improved efficiency, future-proofing. The UK government recognises that digital transformation is essential for business growth in today’s economy.”

How to Create an Effective Business Skills Training Plan

Successful business skills training isn’t about sending everyone on random courses. It requires a strategic approach:

Step 1: Skills Gap Analysis

Assess current team capabilities
Identify business-critical skill gaps
Prioritise training needs based on business impact
Set measurable learning objectives

For guidance on conducting effective skills assessments, ACAS provides excellent resources on training and development.

Step 2: Choose the Right Training Methods

Match training delivery to skill type
Consider team schedules and preferences
Budget for both time and financial investment
Plan for ongoing reinforcement

Step 3: Implementation and Support

Create a realistic training schedule
Provide manager support for skill application
Measure progress and adjust as needed
Celebrate successes and improvements

Step 4: Continuous Development

Regular skills reviews and updates
Career development pathways
Mentoring and coaching programs
Knowledge sharing initiatives

Our Business Skills Training Solutions

At Marches Group, we understand that business skills training needs to deliver real results, not just certificates. Our approach focuses on practical skills that directly impact your business performance.

Online Learning Platform

Through our Video Tile platform, we offer:

Self-paced business skills modules covering essential topics
Progress tracking to monitor team development
Flexible access allowing learning around work schedules
Regular content updates keeping skills current
Cost-effective delivery for multiple team members

Face-to-Face Training

Our experienced trainers deliver:

Customised workshops tailored to your business needs
Interactive sessions with practical skill application
Team building elements that strengthen working relationships
Real-world scenarios relevant to your industry
Ongoing support and follow-up coaching

Blended Learning Approach

Combining the best of both worlds:

Online foundation modules for knowledge building
Face-to-face practice sessions for skill application
Ongoing support through our consultancy services
Measurable outcomes tied to business objectives

Business Skills Training Success Stories

“The communication skills training transformed our team meetings. What used to take 2 hours now gets done in 45 minutes, and everyone leaves with clear actions. The ROI was immediate.”
– Sarah, Manufacturing Director, Herefordshire

“Our sales training didn’t just improve our numbers – it gave our team confidence to have proper conversations with customers. Revenue increased by 30% in the first quarter.”
– Mark, Business Owner, Worcestershire

“The leadership development program prepared our supervisors for management roles. When we expanded, we had ready-made leaders instead of scrambling to recruit externally.”
– Lisa, Operations Manager, Shropshire

The ROI of Business Skills Training

Still wondering if business skills training is worth the investment? Here’s what our clients typically see:

Immediate Benefits (0-3 months):

Improved team confidence and morale
Better communication and fewer misunderstandings
Increased efficiency in daily tasks
Enhanced customer interactions

Medium-term Benefits (3-12 months):

Measurable productivity improvements
Reduced staff turnover and recruitment costs
Better problem-solving and decision-making
Increased customer satisfaction scores

Long-term Benefits (12+ months):

Sustainable business growth
Strong internal promotion pipeline
Competitive advantage in the market
Resilient, adaptable team culture

Getting Started with Business Skills Training

Ready to invest in your team’s development? Here’s how to move forward:

Option 1: Skills Assessment

Start with a comprehensive review of your team’s current capabilities and business needs. We can help identify the training priorities that will deliver the biggest impact.

Option 2: Pilot Program

Begin with a focused training program in one key area – perhaps leadership development or customer service – and measure the results before expanding.

Option 3: Comprehensive Development Plan

Create a structured, long-term approach to team development that aligns with your business growth plans and career progression pathways.

Business Skills Training That Drives Real Results

Your team’s development shouldn’t be an afterthought – it should be a strategic investment in your business future. With the right business skills training, you’re not just improving individual capabilities; you’re building a stronger, more capable organisation.

The companies that invest in their people consistently outperform those that don’t. The question isn’t whether you can afford to train your team – it’s whether you can afford not to.

Ready to develop your team for growth? We’re here to help you create a training strategy that delivers measurable results and supports your business objectives.

Want to discuss your specific business skills training needs? Every business is different, and we understand that your training requirements are unique to your industry, team, and growth plans.

Questions about business skills training? Get in touch with our team at [email protected] or call 01568 605 110. We’re here to help you build the skilled, confident team your growing business needs.

Remember: Effective business skills training is an investment in your company’s future. The skills your team develops today will drive your business success tomorrow.