Manufacturers’ Top Three Challenges
Manufacturers agree on many things, but most of all, on the challenges they face on a daily basis. It comes down to three facets of one issue: staffing. So, what about staffing seems to create this consensus? Understaffing/overstaffing One would be hard-pressed to win a debate on which condition is worse: under- or overstaffing. Either situation can create havoc with scheduling, inventory, and ROI. That is, quality may suffer, production may be thrown off causing a lag-time in filling orders, and overtime pay may become the norm to help answer the demand. Whether holding on through lean months or ratcheting…
Proven Value for Manufacturers to Develop Staff from Within: Part III
Today we conclude the discussion with MPS Technical about career development programs for employees with a slant towards concerns and leadership development. What about leadership development? The industry does have a need to step up leadership development as this strengthens an organization from the inside. High potential employees could be given “stretch” assignments over a period of months to prepare them to assume a mid-level position and longer for a more senior position. However, it can be a challenge to determine who may rank as “high potential” as individuals do not come in a one-size-fits-all package. What is management’s role…
What Does “Fall Is Fast Approaching” Mean to Your Business?
Fall means a change in the weather, football, and s’mores. For manufacturers, it also means that the jobs held by youth for the summer can become vacant. It means new staff and more training costs. Moreover, for businesses that begin their busy season, it can mean a reliance on – and sometimes a challenge to find – skilled people to help meet upcoming, increased holiday production goals. As a manufacturer, whether you hire a handful or thousands of seasonal workers, as you gear up for hiring, these three tips may make the process smoother. First, think same time next year.…
Proven Value for Manufacturers to Develop Staff from Within: Part II
When you define career development as the ongoing acquisition or refinement of skills and knowledge, it includes job mastery and professional development that exceeds the scope of the employee’s job description. With this mindset, it is difficult not to see the advantages, which an employee career development plan can provide. Plus, if you want to answer your firm’s shortage of talent by developing your employees, you’re headed in the right direction. Last week we established why employee development is essential. Today and next week MPS Technical, a staffing agency with more than 20 years assisting the manufacturing industry with finding…
Why Should Manufacturers Help Develop Their Staff? Part I
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” ` Theodore Roosevelt How do you treat your employees? Manufacturers recognize that finding great talent is hard and keeping it can be even harder. The answer, of course, is building a skilled, flexible, and engaged workforce. But people soon grow dissatisfied if they are ill-treated in their jobs. Worse, a sense of despair and a fog of stress permeate your firm with negativity which affects all operations and leads to a loss of revenue as high turnover and conflict become the norm. In 2012, the Gallup…
Candidates with Disabilities Help Manufacturers Dissolve the Workforce Gap
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) began breaking down the barriers in American Society in 1994, but the disabled workforce became integrated years later under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity ACT created by President Obama. Perhaps workers with disabilities may be just the employees you need to fill your manufacturing workforce shortage. Realistically, not all jobs are right for those who are physically-challenged, but there are many positions – such as assembly worker, test assistants, order builders, or technicians – that can be well-suited for these individuals. In fact, many mid-level management or supervisory positions, including safety, compliance or custodial…