Cross Training for Greater Productivity

The downturn in the economy is pushing many company leaders to alter their business plans, including the last resort of downsizing their workforce. The challenge in this situation is that there is still work to be done, but fewer people to handle the load. Sometimes employees have to take on extra tasks, and some responsibilities may be combined to create new positions. To accommodate shifts in organizational charts, many decision makers are initiating cross-training programs.

Training workers to take on different roles can actually be a positive experience for both management and employees. The effects of enhanced training are good for managers who get greater flexibility in the way they can manage their workforce. And for employees, cross training provides the opportunity to learn new skills, which helps them to be more productive and feel even more valued in the organization. Cross training can also combat worker boredom. You can implement training within your own department, or use inter-departmental education efforts to improve workflow and communication between departments. This improved interaction can lead to better overall coordination and teamwork.

Cross training is perhaps more important now than in previous years because the business landscape is undergoing dramatic changes. Many companies are already experiencing huge gaps in upper management skills. And soon, Boomer workers by the thousands will be retiring. In order to retain star employees—the ones who are familiar with corporate policy and understand and share company values—training for the future must begin today.

Now, don’t think that a shrinking budget means the quality of your training must shrivel up with it. Tough economic times call for creative approaches to exceed business expectations. Remember, training is not a luxury that is only valuable when business is good. Employee training and development is an investment that’s always critical to the success of your organization.