6. Find Ways to Keep Good People with Alternative Work Arrangements

Alternative work arrangements are an excellent means of reducing cost while not losing critical people. They require flexibility on the part of management and employees to implement. Take the time to think outside the box. Find creative opportunities for job sharing, for example. Don’t be afraid to cross occupational lines when cross-training people to share activities or take on work beyond their traditional job description. When considering cross-training, think of the following:

• Are there any unnecessary, non-value-added activities that I can cut out of a person’s work?

• What parts of a person’s job could be shared by another or combined into another position?

• Are there any activities that are done daily now that could just as effectively be done once a week or once a month?

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you don’t have the time to entertain these ideas. We’re not talking about a massive process reengineering project here. Rather we are urging you to take a few hours to engage in triage and address where you can quickly gain efficiencies that will get the costs out quickly.