Staff training builds skills, loyalty and profits in small businesses Ethel Nyembe In many small businesses, training is regarded as a luxury; something that cannot fit into the average day. Although the focus of any small enterprise should be meeting customer expectations, it is training that can improve customer experience and boost profits, asserts Ethel Nyembe, Head of Small Enterprise at Standard Bank .  “When it comes to training, many people think of a boardroom, expensive technology and high-priced presenters,” says Ms Nyembe. “This does not have to be the case; training that is effective is targeted, but that does not mean costly. The beauty of training is that it does not necessarily mean major costs and time off work for people who are needed to drive sales.” Some economical training options that should be considered are: Product training. This can be provided on the job with an expert - possibly the business owner - providing insights on a regular basis t...