Training and Development Managers!
Looking for content for your learning program or portal?
Get 1000+ management and soft skills training resources from Mind Tools Corporate.
Quick Tools
Cross-Training
Creating a Flexible Workforce
Train your team to be more flexible.
© iStockphoto/track5
Imagine that the person who runs your firm's accounting reports is off sick. The problem? No one else knows how to run the reports without making mistakes. And if they aren't run, the month-end recap will be thrown into chaos.
Your organization has likely run into situations like this. Often, teams are made up of individuals with specialized skills or knowledge, and one person's absence can negatively affect the productivity of the entire group. This is especially true in smaller teams.
This is just one reason why it can be useful to cross-train people within your team. In the example above, if another member of your team had been trained to run the accounting reports, there would be no need to worry.
In this article, we'll examine the many benefits of cross-training, and we'll look at how to implement a successful cross-training program with your team.
... for the complete article:
Mind Tools members, click here.
Join the Mind Tools Club to finish this article AND get 1,000 more resources
Join now for just $1, first month
"When I started using Mind Tools, I was not in a supervisory position. Now I am. Along with that came a 12% increase in salary."
– Pat Degan, Houston, USA
Join the Mind Tools Club
|
 |
Where to go from here:
Next article 
Free newsletter
Join Mind Tools
1 Day to Go!
Get Our Future-Proof Your Career Workbook FREE
Join the Mind Tools Club before midnight, May 9th, and get our Future-Proof Your Career workbook (worth US$19.99) for FREE.
Get the Free
Mind Tools App
Learn on the move with the free Mind Tools iPhone, iPad and Android Apps. Short bursts of business training ideal for busy people.
Related Resources
References
Volpe, C.E. et al (1996) 'The Impact of Cross-Training on Team Functioning: An Empirical Investigation,' The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Vol. 38, No. 1. (Available here.)
Arnold, J (2008) 'Kicking Up Cross-Training: Cross-Training can be a Key Component in Developing Your Employees - and Your Organization,' HR Magazine, August 2008.
What Bugs You?
- Let us know about anything wrong, or anything you don't like about this site, and you could win a US$50 Amazon voucher!
Sponsored Links
Leadership Skills