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Cross-train in summer
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June 9, 2000: 2:26 p.m. ET
Prepare for absences, allow employees to see their role in the bigger picture
By Jane Applegate
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - If summer means quieter days around your company, use the down time to cross-train your employees.
Cross-training serves many purposes: It not only prepares people to cover for each other during vacations or illness, but it also helps employees understand how their particular job affects the big picture.
Create teams of two. Begin by asking employees to explain to each other what they do most days; then have them write down a simple schedule or list of responsibilities. Be sure to include important contact phone numbers for clients, vendors or suppliers.
 This is also a great time to ask everyone on your staff to write down a simple description of their job. You may be surprised at the contrast between what you think you asked someone to do and what they actually do every day.
(Jane Applegate, a syndicated columnist and author of 201 Great Ideas for Your Small Business, covers small business for CNNfn.) 
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