Employee Training and Development - FranSystems

You have just been hired as the "training department of one" for FranSystems, Inc. FranSystems is a small company that is poised to grow quickly over the next six months. They have just patented an application that will greatly improve usability and compatibility of the two largest ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems. They are forming partnerships with the two larger companies, and making sales and license renewal calls together.

FranSystems needs to hire at least 10 consultant/programmers, people who can work with the ERP vendors and clients to determine needs, tailor the application, and train the clients on how to use the enhancements. In other words, FranSystems needs people with both technical and interpersonal skills. FranSystems CEO, Jane Smith, has directed you to "hire the best people you can and train them to do what we need them to do".

In working with an external recruiter, you realize that it will be difficult to hire people with both excellent technical skills and interpersonal skills. Therefore, you decide to start from scratch - with the business strategy -and work your way through hiring and training from there.

Problem:
You need to hire and train 10 consultant/programmers for FS rollout of its new application. These people need to have excellent programming and interpersonal skills.
After working with an external recruiter, you realize that it is very difficult to find people with a high level of both skill sets. You take a step back and look at FS business strategy. It includes the following elements:

• Proving cutting-edge technology solutions with a "human touch"
• Building business through relationships and partnerships
• Retaining clients through all phases of the business cycle
• Building a diverse employee population that can shift with the times and customers' needs

You also noted that several of the original staff of FS started in other fields and acquired the skills they need today over a period of time.

Based on the business strategy, what would be your approach to hiring and training? Prepare a proposal that outlines your strategy for convincing upper management of how beneficial a combination of hiring, then providing a training program for the consultants would be to the company. In your outline, demonstrate how your approach has been beneficial in real life situations. Explain how this plan aligns with the corporate strategy.