Hard skills are technical skills that make one effective on the job. Soft skills are everything else. All the intangibles that help one succeed. Let us look at a receptionist. One of the main job functions is to meet guests and direct them onwards. Hard skills would include the ability to use the phone system and the appointment software. These skills allow a receptionist to technically perform the functions of their position. Possessing these skills alone, however, does not necessarily mean the receptionist represents the company well though. This is where soft skills enter the picture.
Soft skills are varied, and include leadership, team working, attention to detail, service, time management, critical thinking, problem solving, and of course, communication. Looking back at the receptionist example, job effectiveness would improve if the receptionist could anticipate needs, be service-oriented and be a strong communicator. They would then be able to greet a guest cordially, ask if they could provide a refreshment, communicate what will happen next, invite them to have a seat and so on. This would create goodwill towards the company as first impressions are crucial.
Most people learn soft skills by taking a class. A good soft skills class will present the principles and provide examples and opportunities to apply them. Good soft skills classes would be designed by industry professionals, and would include learning materials that are up to date and relevant. Classes would be a reasonable length to meet the needs of professional learners - lengthy programs to justify tuition should be cautiously reviewed to ensure that the learning materials are all relevant. Programs should be easily accessible and, if online, be available across multiple devices, including mobile, on a 24/7 basis. Quality programs are accredited by a reputable third party professional agency, assuring the user that the programs are reputable and valid.
The next key to quality soft skill training to look for is what credentials are provided through the progam. Earning credentials is crucial for professional success but it also needs to provide learners with a return on investment. A good soft skills program will allow the user to print out a certificate and receive access to a digital credential to use on social media and elsewhere.
As you evaluate and find the right soft skills training option, be mindful of improvements to your professionalism that make sense to you. The skills learned should make one better at their job right away.
One option for soft skills training is CLIMB® from TISOH. Hospitality is an industry where soft skills are taken to the next level, and CLIMB was created to bring the best practices of the hospitality industry directly to users. The CLIMB® Hospitality Professional Development program from TISOH is a complete library of self-paced e-learning programs, designed by and for hospitality professionals, usable across all connected devices and suited to a professional's busy lifestyle. Harnessing a range of learning artifacts, the targeted programming features interactive content leading to improved comprehension and learner engagement. CLIMB® users may choose to take the 60-min classes individually, or as a five-class Skill Series. Skills Series include Guest Service, Communication, Essential Management, People Management, and Restaurant Management. Additionally, users may choose to take a 10-class Core Series to orient and increase the skill level of those in associate, supervisor, or manager levels.
Key program highlights of the CLIMB® e-learning system include industry professional developers, 60-minute classes, the ability to learn from anywhere, 100% accessible on mobile, tablet, or computer, the ability to start and pick-up as needed, low cost, CEU records as documentation of learning, and a learning summary for each class.
The entire program is accredited by ACCET, the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. TISOH is an accredited member of ACCET, a national institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U. S. Department of Education. TISOH is also listed in the American Council on Education’s Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education (AIPE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation’s (CHEA) website, which are widely used by government agencies, military services, corporations, and professional organizations for identifying credible education and training organizations relative to accepting CEU credits and establishing tuition reimbursement policies.
For employers, CLIMB® provides for instant, turnkey hospitality training. Subscription-based, CLIMB® provides both value and a range of options for learners. Users have full control over their learning experience, while managers maintain supervisorial control of their subscribed learners.
For more information about the CLIMB® Hospitality Professional Development program from TISOH, visit hospitalityclimb.com.