Should cross training be on my mind?

Yes! Cross training in and of itself is one of the primary keys to victory. Most of us cross trained ourselves to where we are today. I mean, how many hats have you had to wear? Cross training gives many shop business, built their business, helped sustain their business, and taught them many things, especially during the early years, to mold shops and shop owners into the people they are today.

Take a moment and look at things from this angle. Everyone on your staff has some level of skill to do everything you do. Did you just feel momentary relief? That’s what cross training can do for you. I would start cross training yesterday.

Cross training can be your saving grace if you should ever run short-handed. The more your people know how to do the more of an asset they will be. It can help your staff break up the monotony of their duties, and a shift in responsibilities can force thinking, energy, communication, innovative ideas, and perspectives. It can help staff members develop a greater appreciation for the duties of others and how departments interact within the whole scope of the operation. It can expose staff to other areas, possibly stimulating interest, initiative, and room to grow. In short, yes, cross training is your friend.

Here’s to our hat racks!

—Kaptain Kirk Clothing Co.