A Premium on Skills An especially germane factor in the business discussion is the economic premium assigned to high-level skills. In companies where employee interaction results in direct business benefits to the organization, such as consulting, sales, research, and professional services, productivity and increased skill levels generate clear advantages to employers. In other manufacturing and service sectors, the yields in productivity as a result of improved work-force performance, skills, and empowerment might not be as easily measured; however, they do exist.A commitment to professional development needs to be made at the executive level. After that commitment of resources is madewhether based on performance metrics, ROI, value on investment, or management philosophy pursuing the cherished goals of productivity through e-learning becomes more logical. Where companies are still struggling to define whether the human capital is indeed a strategic asset, a pursuit of productivity advantages will only be of marginal significance to executive management. |