Training Proposal

godtabh

I have been trying to get training approved by my director for awhile. Despite several attempts to get it approved by supplying the required business case I have been turned down on several courses including free in house ones.

This has pissed me off no end as you can imagine!

So I have put together a proposal for an MBA as this is something that would appeal greatly to me. As part of the proposal I have come up with a solution that would make doing the MBA cost neutral ie business improvements that would yield 5 times the savings the MBA would cost. This is the unique selling point.

I haven't told any one the USP yet but I have outlined to my director what the initial return could be. Again he wouldnt budge.

I initial made the pitch last year. I am thinking of going to my MD (and over the head of my director) and making the pitch again. The pitch would be based on how much my proposal would save the company in return for being enrolled in the course. A win win for both I fell.

How do you think this approach will be viewed by both my director and MD? My director I'm sure will be pissed but I'd get over that.

Mrs OBumble

If you've even been turned down for free courses, then I don't think that cost is the major problem.

You need to identify what the actual problem is, and address that.

Myself, I wouldn't be going over my boss's head without have a very good understanding of the "lie of the land" and what the managers thought patterns might be.

godtabh

How would you play it?

I dont know my bosses motives. Money/time have been given as reasons why I havent been able to do courses

Our MD has always said that if there is any issues come speak to him. He operates an open door policy (small company)

Serafijn

If it were me I'd probably go in to the MD for an 'off the records' chat, to see if I can get any insight into what the story is, and whether he can offer any advice or assistance. Less likely to rile your Director and hopefully push things along in the right direction.

godtabh

Yeah that might be a better approach.

Stheno

I hate to be short, but reading your OP, I wondered how, if you already know that you can make such savings, an MBA will enable you further in achieving them?

If an employee came to me with cost savings of approx. 100k (given an MBA over two years is min 20K) then asked for 20k of that to do an MBA and it wasn't relevant to their role, I'd not approve it, especially in these cost driven times.

Are you looking for training relevant to your role?

Mr. Loverman

You are being too pushy.

Your boss said no.

Going above his head will just make him hate you.

Office politics and networking are significantly more valuable than extra training.

okiss

I would agree with Mr Loverman you are being to pushy.
All companies are looking at the bottom line for every expense they have.
You have gone to your own manager re doing other course including in house ones and they are not letting you do these due to time/money constraints.
Meanwhile you think it is a good idea to go to the MD to ask for them to pay for an MBA course costing €20k plus and once they do this you will save them x amount. Your MD won't give you this money and your boss will find this out.
At the moment you need to keep your head down and see what course you could do outside work to improve your prospects. When the next training course comes up ask your boss can you do this due reason x,y and show them it benefit them also. Someone I know who did the MBA. They said it is a tough course and that MBA holders are not getting the salary they got a few years ago.

Irish_Elect_Eng

When my team come to me looking for training the primary reason that I agree to spend my training budget on them is past performance, I like to bet on a sure thing. (In particular those that can demonstrate the benefit of the training that they have received in the past)

When my team come to me looking for training the primary reason that I refuse to spend my training budget on them is past performance, not point in spending money on a under performer. (Unless lack of training is the reason for the performance issue)

So if I were you I would look to my current performance for clues to the problem.

If your performance is good then I would ask myself the question, does a small business need another MBA? if the answer is not then it's time to move on if getting that MBA is an essential career step. You boss probably expect you to jump skip once the MBA is complete. Another approach would be to commit yourself to stay with the company for 5 years after the MBA or pay off the MBA if you want to leave in that time frame.