The digital era is rewriting the rules of L&D and workplace training. And digital tools make training programs and initiatives easier to access and implement—especially cross-training initiatives.
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If you want to maximize your cross-training initiatives during this digital era, here are some things you’ll want to be sure to do.
Rely on Cloud-Based Platforms
When you rely on cloud-based platforms for your cross-training programs, you’ll be able to sync your employees’ profiles and learning experiences as they work and learn new things in different departments. It will be much easier to personalize their cross-training experiences, too.
Incorporate Social Learning
Social learning strategies are effective and yield higher returns on investment because they increase learner engagement and workplace collaboration, as well as are cost-effective.
When you incorporate social learning into your cross-training programs, learners will be able to learn from one another’s experiences as they navigate new tasks, roles, and departments across your organization.
For example, an employee in the marketing department will be able to ask someone in the operations department questions about a new data analytics tool he or she is using via social learning digital platforms.
Use Mobile Technology
Mobile technology is especially important for employees’ cross-training programs because it allows them to access and interact with different departments at their own convenience when they’re not able to be physically present in those departments or at the office.
For example, a customer service employee learning procedures in the operations department will be able to learn about those procedures via mobile apps and technology when he or she gets home after work instead of having to take a lunch break to visit the operations department to learn about those procedures.
Offer Virtual Mentorship Options
With larger and global organizations, virtual mentorship options can be great for cross-training programs. For example, employees in Europe can connect with teams in the United States as they learn about a new part of their organization’s business or expertise or as they learn different skills and build new relationships.
Curate Learning Content
As employees are learning new skills and gaining new experiences from your cross-training programs, be sure to curate learning content to supplement what they’re learning, too, especially if they don’t have access to virtual mentors or social learning options.
Curated content will help them access the additional information or training they need to understand the new roles, tasks, departments, etc., that they’re learning about. For more insight, read “6 Best Practices for Managing L&D Content in 2019.”
As you implement cross-training programs during the current digital era, keep the best practices outlined above in mind. Also, read “4 Tips for Launching Your Next Cross-Training Program” and “Different Types of Cross-Training and Why Your Business Needs Them.”