Cross training is not a new concept for the workforce. Managers want to know that all moving pieces of the company are covered, even when the main employee is out of the office. It reduces the chances for errors and delayed responses. If staff can keep the ball moving, it keeps the company moving.
Benefits of Cross Training your staff:
- Greater Productivity – Employees learn more diverse skills that allow the staff to grow and add to their resume’
- Increased Employee Motivation -Allows employes stay motivated to advance within the company
- Better Collaboration and Teamwork -This forces the staff to work together and look at things differently and strive to work smarter not necessarily harder.
- Greater Employee Retention – Having your employees learn multiple jobs or duties keeps the employees from burning out. This also plays into employee motivation to advance.
Disadvantages of Cross Training your Staff:
- Little about A Lot-Companies hire employees that are generalists. Staff that know a little bit of a lot of things.
- Stressed with More– If the amount of task becomes too much for an employee, then the staff can feel overwhelmed and stressed.
Remember to start small and make the goals reasonable. Keep in mind that staff already have jobs to complete, and you are asking for more.