By including AGE as part of your DEI initiatives, your organisation stands out as an industry leader and the kind of company that attracts – and keeps – multi-generational talents. Companies that embrace multiple generations as part of their DEI efforts are halfway there. They recognize the importance of inclusion, but a plan helps them move from a great idea to a practical application that gets results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Wake-Up Shake-Up Thrive!<\/strong>, we work with organizations to get them \u2018age-ready.\u2019 Working with us, companies successfully support their more experienced employees and inspire the younger one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Age-diverse workplaces bring together people with complementary abilities, skills, information<\/a>, and networks. When managed effectively, they offer better decision-making, more-productive collaboration, and improved overall performance \u2014 because members are willing to share and learn from their differences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If more experienced employees act as mentors and share knowledge and experience with younger employees, this can increase the skill set of the entire workforce. On the other side, the younger generation needs to be heard and valued. This doesn\u2019t happen by chance and is built up, consciously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another way multi-generational employees can benefit is by practising different communication styles. Groups with various experience levels exercise communication and understanding more than non-diverse groups. Interactions between both employees and client-facing conversations benefit from this variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not even close. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We recently read an excellent article<\/a> by Lindsey Pollack in which she lists five best practices for building multigenerational teams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our favourite is #1: \u201cPromote employee mobility and cross-training.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pollack writes, \u201cto optimize employee satisfaction, companies should consider cross-training for different positions with a focus on the development of transferable skills. This will help to keep the younger generations engaged while honoring the experience and tenure of older workers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’re cross-training when your company encourages employees to work in a different capacity. It\u2019s the antithesis of outdated \u201cStay in your lane\u201d and \u201cThat\u2019s above my paygrade\u201d thinking. Cross-training also counteracts the problem of one employee keeping essential knowledge to themselves. There\u2019s always that proverbial question: What if you got hit by a bus tomorrow?<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you know why having multi-generational employees is a benefit and that cross-training can benefit them and you – as an employer – need to know HOW to implement it into your workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider the kind of skills all employers want, no matter the position or the type of product or service they\u2019re offering. These might include communication, problem-solving, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, and leadership. (For more on transferable skills, this Forbes article<\/a> has a detailed breakdown.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Part of your leadership responsibilities includes knowing the transferable skills your employees already have. Get specific about each employee’s strengths, either on your own or with the help of a direct report supervisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a great place to implement multi-generational collaboration, as different employees of different ages and experience levels will bring different strengths to the partnership \u2013 base these pairings and groupings on the employees’ strengths and areas for growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To counter any concern about cross-training such as, \u201cWhy do we have to do this?<\/em>\u201d or \u201cDoes this mean they\u2019re looking to train my replacement?<\/em>,\u201d convey the WHY and HOW cross-training will benefit them, the company, and your clientele. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, our clients represent many different generations, so our solutions to their problems should, too. The best way to brainstorm solutions to client problems is to have multiple perspectives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, cross-training brings out employee strengths otherwise not seen in their current day-to-day tasks. Cross-training employees may entail on-the-job training<\/a> that can help reveal hidden talents with very real prospects for increased compensation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cross-training also promotes a hire from within the culture. If an employee leaves the company, a current employee can transition into their role – rather than having to hire from outside the company. This will accelerate the onboarding process and allow the employee to be operational and efficient quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regularly check in with your employees to identify what is and is not working in a cross-training scenario. Course correction is only possible if feedback and check-ins are part of the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you know why<\/strong> age-diverse, cross-trained teams benefit your company and your employees, what is your plan to make both a reality in your organization? Do you have buy-in from top management? <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your company wants to move from knowing<\/em><\/strong> multi-generational teams are a benefit<\/em> to actually <\/em>reaping those benefits<\/em><\/strong>, you may need help to implement them within your company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s the perfect time of year to implement a plan for age-diverse cross-trained teams in your company. While it\u2019s back to school for students, it\u2019s also continuing education for your employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We work alongside company leaders to implement a plan and process so your company can be more agile, sustainable and efficient. Find out more about our work with organizations here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMulti-Generational Employees Are Better for Your Business.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"MMulti](\"https:\/\/www.wakeupshakeupthrive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Multi-generation-employees.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGroup Multi-Generational Employees into Teams and Sit Back, Right? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cross Training: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to implement multi-generational cross-training<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.wakeupshakeupthrive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/implement-multi-generational-cross-training.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 1: Identity which transferable skills are most important and find them in your employees.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Match Up Your Employees.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 3. Communicate the goal or objectives of cross-training to elicit buy-in.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 4. Get Ongoing Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Go from Knowing<\/em> to Doing<\/em>.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ellen](\"https:\/\/www.wakeupshakeupthrive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Ellen-and-Dominique.webp\")
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