| The Computer Technology Industry Association | | | | an environment that offers self-improvement and a |
| ("CompTIA") recently conducted a survey of 273 | | | | career path can promote satisfaction and |
| CompTIA members to determine the biggest | | | | incentive.According to Leigh Branham, "The 7 Hidden |
| challenges for the next 12 months. Filling vitally | | | | Reasons Employees Leave", three of the top |
| important functional positions in sales and technical | | | | reasons are related to personal development. |
| customer service ranked as the most critical | | | | Common reasons for leaving are "No feedback or |
| obstacles in the coming year.53% of respondents | | | | coaching", "No career growth", and "Devalued or |
| expect it to be extremely difficult to adequately fill | | | | unrecognized". You can promote a positive |
| sales positions in the next 12 months41% of | | | | environment to retain valuable employees while |
| respondents expect it to be difficult to fill technical | | | | simultaneously improving personal abilities that close |
| support and customer service positions in the next 12 | | | | the skills gap.For more information about training and |
| monthsWhat are the Sales Skills Gaps?55% need to | | | | education from the Computer Technology Industry |
| improve the ability to spot new business | | | | Association (CompTIA), please visit more information |
| opportunities43% need to improve the ability to | | | | about self-paced training programs and workshop |
| generate incremental revenue from existing | | | | materials, please visit the Institute for Advanced |
| clients42% need to better understand new | | | | Leadership at |
| technologies and products41% need help to better | | | | of Wisdom"Success in business requires training and |
| anticipate customer's future needs37% need to build | | | | discipline and hard work. But if you're not frightened |
| better relationships with existing customers34% need | | | | by these things, the opportunities are just as great |
| to be able to close new businessClosing the | | | | today as they ever were." |
| GapThere are two approaches to closing the skills | | | | - David Rockefeller"Greatness is more than potential. |
| gap.One approach is to look for talent to fill the gaps. | | | | It is the execution of that potential. Beyond the raw |
| This approach has a constant risk of betting on the | | | | talent. You need the appropriate training. You need |
| hiring process, bidding for new talent, and the risk of | | | | the discipline. You need the inspiration. You need the |
| losing quality candidates to a higher bidder.Another | | | | drive." |
| approach is to develop talent with training. The hidden | | | | - Eric A Burns"Education's purpose is to replace an |
| benefit of training talent is employee loyalty. Creating | | | | empty mind with an open one. |