On one nice crisp Florida day during the holidays, we drove over to Weedon Island Preserve to have a good walk and get some air….. And get away from the pie and leftovers! http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/

As you walk along the road to the pier and the fishing area, there are cement ramps every 15 feet. These ramps go up the curb…. Kind of what you see when you are setting down a ramp for awheelchair access.

I asked a worker what they were. He told me that they were so that the turtles could get off the road and up into the brush! I never seen this before in all my travels and I was totally amazed. He begged the question to me, how do the turtles know to do this? Let’s think about that:

They learn by watching? 
So I am visualizing a mama turtle demonstrating to her offspring how this works! Can you? This also reminds me of my own training and coaching and how businesses hire people and they are taught both good and bad habits by watching their colleague, or the person leaving trains person coming! How do you know that the person doing the training knows it correctly? I will sit with someone and ask questions and answers generally ….so and so told me/taught me! While this will perpetuate the good, this will also ensure bad habits do not die!

They have an innate instinct?
So, I cannot imagine a baby turtle is born knowing the purpose of the ramp, and the benefit to him/her of getting off the road! Likewise, when you are talking with customers and prospects not everyone has the same skill and ability … nor should they. From my experience, a person who is first class at handling incoming calls and solving problems answering questions, because of their ability …. Is generally not the right person to make outgoing calls to sell! Likewise, someone that is outgoing and provides a very good face for the business at exhibitions and trade shows, is possibly not the right person to call and be sustained and effective. We know, some people are natural communicators and some have a hard time – are they born with it, taught it, who knows but that ability is to be admired.

They were told how it works?
So I do not speak turtle-eese! I cannot imagine that a baby turtle is told by his mother about the ramp and the value it offers them. Deep down I would like to fantasize that this conversation is taking place all the time! Which brings me to the value of insuring that all of your team are informed about the business objectives and goals, what works and doesn’t work I know your customer expectations. They are the folks who talk to your customers all the time they need to be kept informed.

Would like to invite you to think again about your training budget during 2013 with the customer in mind! http://spectrumstrategyresources.com/who-determines-your-training-needs