Advanced training programs help employees improve their know-how level and skills which translates into higher productivity, enhancing the profitability of an organization. The approach of cross-training is fairly innovative – as it involves the practice of training employees to perform in different roles. In other words, the training helps them carry out tasks that go beyond their normal work responsibilities. Cross-training employees has proven beneficial to both businesses and employees in different ways. Noteworthy, to everyone’s surprise, after becoming the interim GM in 2007, Jeffrey Lupient efficiently overhauled his money-losing family automobile group Infiniti Store, Minneapolis with his great insight and ideas.
To eliminate the cost and increase productivity, Lupient adopted cross-training his employees and thereby enhanced the efficiency and flexibility of employees associated with sales and the I&F department which enhanced the bottom line of the business with increased productivity, making the enterprise profit-making.
According to Lupient, cross-training is, in essence, a great strategy that can be implemented across almost all businesses and positions. So, for those wondering about the benefits of cross-training employees for their business, keep reading to explore more.
What are the benefits of cross-training employees?
Cross-training employees can be beneficial for everyone in an establishment from the employer to managers and team members associated with the project.
Enhancing Flexibility and Agility
What makes the cross-training program unique is its ability to enhance the skill sets of employees and the likelihood of uncovering their hidden talents. This makes the employees and departmental manager better prepared to efficiently deal with unforeseen situations. Put simply, if an employee falls sick ill, or an employee handling vital business functions suddenly quits, this can be hard-hitting to manage things, thereby disrupting the normal functioning of a business. Correct? Thankfully, once employees are cross-trained, they will be more flexible to deal with tasks that are done by other team members.
Improved Efficiency
As Jeffrey Lupient says, identifying the major tasks and skills or the core functional areas of different departments is the secret to determining how cross-training employees will be beneficial for the business to operate at optimal levels. This needs insightful analysis. Doing so optimizes the efficiency level of employees which leads to increased productivity across the business.
Upskilling employees will be a part of business normal practices to stay prepared no matter, what unexpected circumstances may crop up. Simply imagine, those who are in the automobile business know well – especially during festive times like Christmas, New Year, etc. the car sales figure upsurge like anything. During this phase, employees of both sales and I & F being cross-trained will be more agile which helps keep customers happy.
Enhanced Team Collaboration
When employees have a good understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other members, they can empathize with their co-workers in a better way. Thus cross-training encourages collaboration and lets employees believe that teamwork is the key to boosting their individual and collective productivity. When employees are trained in several roles, they can work in a team more effectively, share knowledge, and personal views, and support each other for achieving their common goals.
Aside from the above benefits, cross training employees can be advantageous to retain employees by providing them to developing skills, scope of professional development with increase in income and more. So, considering the unique departmental needs and understand the core areas where cross-training is important, try it.
