Recent Articles

• COVID-19 accelerated change. How do you stay ahead moving forward?

  Philip Burns and William Putsis Engineering

  The COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst that accelerated change in almost every industry. What used to take some companies five years to accomplish remarkably took them only five months during the pandemic. From at-home grocery retailing to working at home virtually, companies digitized their businesses and changed how they delivered services at unprecedented rates. While some companies were better positioned to deal with the challenges the pandemic presented, others struggled. Given this, consider three relevant questions for all business leaders in the context of their own organization and industry.

• 6 tips for financing heavy equipment for your construction business

  Abby Drexler Engineering

  Heavy equipment financing permits you to get a bank loan or lease to buy construction equipment for your business. This makes it more convenient to have equipment without purchasing the equipment outright. The construction equipment that is bought with the loan acts as collateral for the loan. Although you may have the funds to purchase the construction equipment you need, it is best to opt for heavy construction equipment financing. This will allow you to devote your cash flow to more important networks. This article features six tips for financing heavy equipment for your construction business.

• Good news in your job search: Harry, Larry, and the bear

  Hank Boyer Engineering

  What is North America’s No. 1 domestic issue of most concern to the average person? Politics? Coronavirus? Who will win Super Bowl LV? Nope! The thing that concerns most people is still jobs. Whether you are 18 or 80, you’ve likely never seen it more difficult to find a great job in your field of interest in your lifetime. Lockdowns in various regions of the country, overseas competition, and rapidly changing methods employers use to fill jobs have all made it difficult for good people to find good jobs.

• Leading women to STEM careers

  Terry Hogan and Angela Cleveland Engineering

  Once they hit middle school, girls often move away from STEM-related careers. School counselors can help middle and high school girls keep all their options open. Careers in STEM exert significant influence and power, shaping nearly every aspect of our lives. Yet, women (diverse in race, ethnicity, class, age, gender identity, abilities, and other historically marginalized identities) are underrepresented in the field. And, even when present, they may find themselves in unwelcoming cultures that impede their participation as innovators, leaders, and researchers who are shaping the future.

• Manufacturing sector shows growth late in 2020

  Bambi Majumdar Engineering

  IHS Markit recently released an analysis showing that U.S. manufacturing and services activity is expanding. Following the U.S. presidential election, the first pictures of the state of the U.S. economy look promising. The welcome news of an imminent and successful COVID-19 vaccine has added to the optimistic outlook for the year ahead. The survey showed that the manufacturing sector is showing its quickest pickup since September 2014. It's a rosy and hopeful outlook, though IHS' data does not match every survey on the subject.

• The pros and cons of lean manufacturing: A 2020 perspective

  Bambi Majumdar Engineering

  There is a reason why manufacturers are turning towards lean during these uncertain times. Lean manufacturing became popular during World War II when hardship and uncertainty ruled the world economy. Companies were forced to reduce costs during a time of radical change and yet had meet their customers' quality and delivery needs. So, they learned to optimize their systems and innovate, giving birth to modern-day lean manufacturing technologies. Flash forward to 2020 when an unexpected virus brought the whole world to its knees. Manufacturers have to drive efficiencies and agility in new ways by adjusting, adapting, and persevering in this environment.

• Infographic: What is Industry 4.0, and what are the technologies that power…

  Maggie Kimberl Engineering

  A new Industrial Revolution is quietly changing the way products are made. By combining big data, machine learning, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), manufacturing companies can make immediate production changes based on real-time data intelligence. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, will introduce better products to the market at a lower cost and in less time.

• The leadership style that turned Ford Motor Company around

  Dr. Marilyn Gist Engineering

  It’s no secret that many businesses are hurting in 2020. Transportation, hospitality, and brick-and-mortar retail outlets selling nonessential goods and services have been hit the hardest. The last time we were in a similar situation was during the Great Recession of 2008. Although the causes were different, both situations flattened revenues so much that business as usual led many companies to failure. How are leaders supposed to navigate such tough challenges? One way is with humility.

• How the election will affect manufacturing

  Bambi Majumdar Engineering

  Manufacturing is a crucial issue for the 2020 election. According to a Morning Consult column, this was supposed to be the year of the manufacturing election. Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump have revealed plans to revive the economy and the manufacturing sector. The latter is directly proportional to the well-being of the former. However, when Morning Consult made that prediction, in February, it had a robust and running industry in mind. But then came COVID-19 and lockdowns that brought entire industries to a halt. Yet, manufacturing remains a pivotal factor.

• How to build an eco-friendly, sustainable brand through green tech

  Nick Shaw Engineering

  As we move further into the digital age, consumer groups are increasingly composed of millennials and Gen-Z buyers. These generations not only bring with them a switch to online mass consumerism but also an environmentally conscious target audience. This audience looks for brands with eco-friendly and sustainable ethics. It’s not enough to be aware of general e-commerce trends — you need to dedicate time to becoming eco-friendly.

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