A Work-Life Balance Perspective
According to Wikipedia, the work-leisure dichotomy dates to the mid-1800s, coined by anthropologists to define happiness. It evolved into a dynamic phrase in the U.S. around 1986 and is often debated today, so much so that it becomes a personal conflict as employees struggle to define the boundaries between work and non-work. Discounting personal ambition or the advent of new technologies (which are nearly impossible to unplug from), the National Life Insurance Company found nearly 50% of its survey respondents found their jobs “very” or “extremely stressful.” In that vein, it seems that work/life balance is not so much about…
3 More Surprising Reasons to Embrace Millennials – Part II
By welcoming eager, talented workers, we expand America’s potential for growth and our competitive culture of invention and possibility. – Ron Conway (Brainyquote.com) Last time we discussed three reasons to embrace millennial as a resource to fill the manufacturing labor gap. Those reasons included: A Millennial has a strong work ethic with a sense of purpose. Millennials want to experience everything, and Millennials have ease with technology Let’s take a look at three more reasons to develop this group as a workforce resource. Millennials are vibrant and enthusiastic Though Millennials may have a shorter attention span than older workers, they…
The Essence of Professional Time Management
Spring brings a sense of rejuvenation, a lighter step, and happier spirits to many people. It’s also a great time to clean up your schedule and get your “professional” self in order. There are multiple time management books, software, and programs to purchase, of course, but the following tips may be just what the doctor ordered. Plan your time: Whether it’s in the evening, morning, over lunch, or every weekend, develop a regular time to plan. This task should become as routine as brushing your teeth. Prioritize: Choose the most important tasks and assign them to your best time of…
Surprising Reasons to Embrace Millennials – Part I
By welcoming eager, talented workers, we expand America’s potential for growth and our competitive culture of invention and possibility. – Ron Conway (Brainyquote.com) The solution to the precision manufacturing industry’s talent shortage could be our country’s nearly 75 million Millennials. Unfortunately, Millennials who are of age to seek satisfying careers are rarely well-understood as a group of potential employees. Look below the surface and you find they are a generation shaped by technology, debt, recessions, questioning, permissiveness, and boundary-pushing. While these attributes may feel uncomfortable to a hiring manager from a different generation, manufacturers must find a way to explore…
Do You Need to Adjust Your Attitude to Be a Team Player?
Before you commit to anything, do you have an attitude of “What’s in it for me (WIIFM)? Do you look at the world almost as though “it” owes you something for existing, let alone contributing? This attitude becomes particularly difficult when you are seeking a job, as most every position in every company values team players. Dare we remind you of the cliché, “there is no ‘I’ in team? The word “team” is often used as a synonym for “teamwork.” While many operations in precision manufacturing do not operate with teams, they practice teamwork. That is, one person’s job affects…