People require specific skills to perform various functions. Research has depicted that productivity increases with the level of education or training of an employee. In this regard, continuous training and education are very vital not only for managers, but also for other employees. Total quality management requires implementation of efficient and timely policies. Managers should be aware of the dynamics of the market. As depicted by the eight lessons from Japan, education and training are crucial in the implementation of total quality management.
It is important to note that highly educated people have the experience and the knowledge required to deal with complex problems in real life situations. On the same note, an educated and highly trained manager is able to motivate and hire vastly qualified employees. In addition, advanced technological skills have the ability to increase productivity of a company to its maximum level. Instead of having to work conventionally, people can work much more efficiently with the aid of modern technological tools such as state-of-the-art machineries to produce commodities (Atikson & Nadan, 1989). Technology makes firms more productive and keeps employees up to date in their job skills thus giving the firm a competitive advantage. Moreover, education and training are vital in enhancing innovation as well as enabling one to choose the right kind of strategies in the decision making process for maximum production. Furthermore, education increases the ability of one to spot threats and opportunities in advance. With increased production, companies enjoy economies of scale besides having lower average production cost which leads to higher profits.
Moreover, education enables people to integrate and use technology in any business model as well as use computerized software in production. People who have an old-oriented approach do not have the opportunity to perform well, especially on modernized business model. The world keeps changing and moving on, and so does the technology. That is why people must keep their pace with technological advancement through education and training or else they will be left behind. For instance, people with skills to use Microsoft excel in data input can work with numbers and formulas effortlessly without having to calculate the numbers one by one (Atikson & Nadan, 1989). They can even project data faster compared to when people have to do the projection manually. It is amazing to see how fast technology has aided people to get what they need, thus saving time. Managers have to continuously learn about the emerging technology because they are always entrusted with organizational programs. Total quality management requires people to constantly restructure their skills in order to be alert of the changes taking place in the business environment. This is vital in streamlining businesses for maximum and effective growth. Education and Training lead to rapid business response and enhanced innovation of services hence better performance of individuals. Moreover, employees would be able to shift their personal competences to match their companies’ needs when their skills are updated.
To any firm, labor is the most priced input as it actually determines the running of the day-to-day activities of the firm (Atikson & Nadan, 1989). Consequently, issues concerning employees should be given first priority. Through training and capacity building, firms not only enhance their productivity but are also able to motivate employees by achieving personal satisfaction which is crucial. In this regard, it is important to note that education and training help in developing human capital for the benefit of an organization. Nowadays, it has become necessary for managers to be trained in a move meant to ensure that good leadership qualities are imparted in them. It should be noted that education and training are crucial in fostering self awareness which can really help one in becoming a better manager. Self awareness will enable employees as well as managers to improve their relationships and live more fulfilling lives both at work and at home (Atikson & Nadan, 1989). Education and training also enable people to have good interactions with workmates because they enhance openness through self awareness.
On the same note, education and training are modes of self development which is also vital for organizational growth. Continuous self development ensures that people advance their self-knowledge, build or renew their identity, develop their strengths and fulfill their aspirations among other aspects. It is not unusual to get organizations ensuring that their employees are highly trained through incorporating training facilities in their programs. It is paramount to note that continuous self development as a form of training has gained popularity in the recent years because of its ability to give an individual the chance to be engaged in the learning process. Through Education and training, employees will understand how to balance work and life issues and at the same time learn how to manage stress and time. These qualities are very essential in ensuring that productivity is maximized and peripheral issues do not interfere with performance. Consequently, the success of total quality management highly depends on education and training.
Reference
Atikson, P. E. & Nadan, J. (1989, March). Total Quality Management: Eight Lessons to Learn From Japan. Management Services, 33(3), 6-10.