The Hidden ROI Behind Employee Tech Training
Everyone wants an edge. Organizations are looking for high performance and creative innovation. Not to mention employee retention. I’m sure you’ve heard the statistics on employee turnover, right? Just in case you haven’t, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) tells us that the average cost to replace an employee is 6 to 9 months of their annual salary. That’s not pocket change friends.
There is one clear way to impact performance, innovation, and employee retention: investing in employee training.
We’ve done a little digging, and it turns out that organizations that prioritize training not only see returns on the bottom line, but they also have teams that are resilient, engaged, creative and productive.
All About the Benjamins (aka ROI)
An article in Forbes sites a study showing that companies with comprehensive training programs enjoy a whopping 218% higher income per employee and a 24% greater profit margin compared to those without formalized training programs.
Our experience has also shown that small businesses often underutilize platforms like Microsoft 365 due to lack of training. The investment in the platform itself produces little in the way of ROI unless you are using it effectively. And truly, lack of training can also cause additional costs with redundant software purchases and operational inefficiencies. By offering targeted training, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can unlock new revenue streams and significantly improve client satisfaction.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Today’s Employees are looking for more than just punching the time clock. A survey of 500 HR professionals by Bamboo HR found that lack of growth opportunities is one of the top three reasons that people leave their jobs. And more than half of employee turnover is considered preventable, with development and training cited as key solutions to that costly problem.
Tech training is one easy, low risk development and training solution. You’ve already invested in the software, and training the users is the next logical step. Skipping that step leaves employees feeling confused, overwhelmed, undervalued, and burned out.
Do you see what I see? Those employees are already one foot out the door. So, you better get your budget line ready to absorb the turnover that’s coming your way.
Start Making Real Gains in Your Industry
Retention is great, and necessary, but what about productivity?
A 2025 study of 160 employees by the International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications found a significant positive correlation between training frequency, development, and employee productivity. In fact, workplace training accounted for 62.5% of the variation in performance evaluations.
At Excel and Flourish, we do our own studies. Post training polls, follow ups and satisfaction surveys help us find more engagement opportunities, reinforcing what employees learned today and letting them get excited about what they want to learn tomorrow. We hear directly from the trainees that their confidence, skill set and energy improve with each training session.
What’s Good for People is Good for Business
In my opinion, the evidence really speaks for itself. Investing in your people is investing in your bottom line.
Organizations that consider training an integral part of their working environment will make more money, increase productivity, and create a culture of innovation.
And all this is achieved by investing in your people. They stay, and you reap those rewards.
It’s simple. What’s good for people is good for business. That’s money well spent.