Cross-training involves teaching employees to do work that is normally handled by someone else -- for example, training someone who normally prepares marketing materials to do some selling.

Cross-training offers some important advantages:

Employees learn how their job fits into the bigger picture. That helps them make better decisions in their own job. It can also prepare them for more senior jobs.

It provides variety for long-term employees.

It can make employees more sympathetic to other departments, once they know better what other people do.

You will be able to cover for vacations and busy periods in one area by moving people around rather than by having to bring someone in.

If you are going to give an employee cross-training:

Be clear with employees about why you want to do this.

Think through how the person’s regular work is going to be done while he or she is learning another job.