cross-train as many people as we can. It helps build the team environment and can encourage and allow others to step in and help. We pair new employees with a “veteran” to train.
To fully understand how we benefit from cross-training, you have to start with the hiring process. We hire based on attitude and personality to fit the culture: hard work, hard fun, and accountability. You can teach the skills; you can’t teach a personality. We focus on team and avoid, at all costs, the “it is not my job” people.
When a new hire comes in, they’re matched with a mentor. The intent is to teach the skill, i.e., printing or embroidery. They start with the basics and move from there as comfort levels expand. There’s more involved in this than pulling a squeegee. The time in the process is driven by the new employee. I’ve had some working on their own as soon as the first day.
We offer screen printing, screened numbers, embroidery, label changing, folding/bagging, vinyl names, etc. We have primary people in all these functions as well as unpacking/staging and shipping. All garments are verified as soon as they arrive and again before they leave. Just getting garments ready to get to the press can be overwhelming at times. We currently have around 25 employees. We started this business late May of 2020 – yes, the COVID year.
As one area of production begins to show a backlog, we shift others to this area to free a potential backup before it happens. This often allows for the needed time to train, not just help. All of my printers can print manual or auto. Most of the manual printers can print numbers. I have four people cross-trained in shipping. Embroidery assistants are often running a machine to cover and continue to learn a complicated skill. My primary shipping/receiving person can print auto or manual, with quality. We have cross-trained printers to be able to manage machine maintenance and simple fixes, as well.
We shift the newest employees first to cross-train them in these areas before we train them on another skilled position. This allows us to look at what set of skills they may have that could be better utilized in the company. I’ve hired and trained an inexperienced printer and had them trim and clean in embroidery during a time of need. I discovered they were a better fit with the personalities in embroidery and discovered a “do whatever it takes” attitude. They are now in embroidery, but can fill and cover in screen print if needed. Those in the business tend to overlook the screen reclaiming people. They are critical; however, they are also cross-trained to help with QC at the end of the dryer, label changing, etc. We are all aware it takes a team to deliver on what we promise.
This cross-training happens most every day. Yes, I have my “top-tier” printers and embroidery operators primarily staying with their strengths, but they are more than willing to step in where needed. I’ve been in the business for more than 20 years and realize that certain areas of the business ebb and flow. Cross-training keeps everyone busy and working a full 40 hours. It eliminates hiring to today’s need, which may not be a need tomorrow. It also opens a new set of eyes to the process and perhaps identifies short comings.
AdvertisementWe train for live printing. Most of the time we hire staff who has printed prior to the live event, so it usually takes a few hours to train them on customer service. — Maxwell Beehner, Family Industries, Los Angeles
Onboarding three-month employee framework, which consists of what is expected, duties, tasks, and an employee outline to get them right up to speed. Daily check ins and weekly meetings up to the three-month mark.” — Ron Augelli, Talk Shirty To Me, Dickson City, Pennsylvania
On Fridays we each have time to look into something. Last week I taught myself to use high build emulsion. A previous time, I might take the afternoon to learn how to embroider a patch or troubleshoot a thread breaking problem. If we stop training ourselves, there isn’t a clear way to make ourselves better. — Chessie Rosier-Parker, Squeegee and Ink, Newbury, Berkshire
Everyone cross-trains in every department so they fully have an understanding and respect for what each position is. — Scott Garnett, King Screen, Roanoke, Virginia
We have a step-by-step manual with video tutorials, Zoom education sessions, and trips to the printer. — Jeremy Picker, AMB3R Creative, Denver
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