Fur Coats & No Knickers...

I can clearly remember a favourite Auntie of mine using the phrase “She’s all fur coats and no knickers” to describe another rather wealthy relative.  I was about eight years old at the time and in typical fashion, for a child of that age, I thought the remark was highly amusing; even if I didn’t fully understand what was meant by it.  I’m sad to say that my amusement probably had something to do with the mere mention of the word knickers.

As with most things in life the passing of time meant I was much better able to understand the sentiment behind the comment.  It turned out that the lady to whom the phrase was aimed was someone who attached a great deal of importance to creating the right impression; but had little or no regard for how she treated others behind the scenes.  I remember that she once purchased a Rolls Royce, minus the engine, so she could park it outside her hotel/restaurant in order to attract the “right sort of clientele”.  It certainly seemed to work; in that a number of celebrities would frequently stay/eat there.  It was even reported that during her twilight years she would drive around the streets of her home town in an E-Type Jaguar with fur stoles and ostrich feathers blowing in the wind.  Whilst I confess my view of her wasn't formed from the standpoint of having to live with her, or work for her, I thought she was quite an amazing lady; albeit an eccentric one.  I’m quite confident that my opinion would have changed considerably had I been in the same proximity as her on a daily basis.

I’m sad to say that throughout the years I have come across many companies who are no different than this fascinating and somewhat eccentric member of my family.  Like an expensive veneer on cheap chipboard they attach far too much importance to trying to create the right outward impression; whilst giving little or nothing in the way of time, effort, money, recognition or support to those who work for them.

Thankfully I frequently encounter organisations that fully support their staff after having attended a training initiative; providing them with ongoing support during the learning transfer stage and beyond.  That isn't always the case however.  Over the years I have sadly come across a significant number of companies who treat the training process as nothing more than an exercise in creating a favourable outward impression; as opposed to making a significant difference to the lives of those in attendance or to the company's modus operandi.  A clear example of style over substance. The thin veneer that I mentioned earlier.

Such limiting behaviour often results in managers and senior executives, some six months after the event, wondering why the initiative failed to produce an outcome that was anything other than superficial.  This generally leads them to conclude that the fault must surely be down to poor training.  A view with which I have some sympathy; in that I fully understand why a less than capable manager might find it easier to draw such a conclusion than to accept any personal responsibility for the said outcome.  Is it any wonder, therefore, why training departments are usually the first to have their budgets slashed when experiencing times of austerity?  I’ve even known companies abandon all training initiatives after having achieved some kind of award; such as “Investors in People”.  Only to ramp it back up when they believe they are next due for an audit or review.

Whilst I continue to hear stories about companies not offering encouragement or on-going support to those returning from training events, on a regular basis, the majority of delegates attending the courses I deliver tend to come from organisations actively interested in the development of their staff.  I find it heartwarming to know that training is still widely valued as a contributing factor in the ongoing success of an organisation.  Long may I be able to work with those companies who are truly dedicated to helping their staff become the best that they can become by supporting them in every step of their learning journey.