As companies grow, obviously they will need to hire employees. But not all prospective employees are created equal, and none of them will come with the exact set of skills and competencies required to make them a superstar. Training workers thoroughly and properly will ensure they have the tools and skill sets necessary to do the job well. Companies lose billions of dollars every year due to underperforming employees, which has caused an increase in spending on training and engagement programs, but for these efforts to be successful, there are several pitfalls to avoid. First, it’s important not to limit training to technical competencies. Decades ago, hard skills were the focus of nearly every training program, but this doesn’t take the whole picture into account. Employees need to be trained in interpersonal and communications skills to actualize their performance. Another training misstep is failing to make clear why an employee needs to undergo a particular course. Many companies focus too heavily on how a job should be done, and never provide employees with the answer to why. If that question is answered, employees are far more likely to take training seriously and incorporate it into their day-to-day routine.