Recent Articles

• 4 steps to empower yourself to accomplish your goals

  Rob and Steve Shallenberger Manufacturing

  People who have a sense of direction and purpose feel empowered. Yet only 10% of people have written professional and personal goals. Imagine how great it would feel to take all your good intentions and make them a reality. In other words, to get laser-focused on the things that matter most — and have the motivation to actually do them! To set your own roles and goals, follow these four steps.

• Balancing compassion and performance in a pandemic world

  Courtney Lynch Manufacturing

  When I served in the Marines, we had a saying: Mission first, people always. Everything about leading Marines came down to achieving results in times of challenge, chaos, and uncertainty while taking care of your people. Now, as an executive coach, as I’ve helped my clients navigate pandemic times, often I’ve been guiding them in demonstrating service-based leadership. Leading with service is about acting selflessly on behalf of others to ensure their success. It’s about the simple actions you take to support others so they can thrive. The great news for leaders is that service can be demonstrated in the simplest ways.

• Pandemic-created challenges become corporate responsibility opportunities

  Peggy Smedley Manufacturing

  Uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has plagued businesses around the globe — particularly those in the supply chain community — accentuating weaknesses never seen before. However, if considered from a different perspective, it has given rise to opportunities for these same companies to shine like beacons in the night. When the pandemic first hit, supply chains were disrupted — so much so that an everyday consumer quickly understood what the supply chain was and how it might impact being able to access goods in a timely manner.

• With succession planning, avoid the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ syndrome

  Donald F. White Manufacturing

  Do you remember Alice, the little girl who fell down a rabbit hole and ended up in Wonderland? As Alice wandered about Wonderland, she came upon a Cheshire Cat with a distinctive, mischievous grin. Too many people are on their way to somewhere, with little to no idea what or where somewhere is. They assure themselves that someday they’ll know what and where somewhere is because, well, aren’t they on their way there? Sadly, when it comes to business continuity and succession planning, most business owners are like Alice — on their way to somewhere, yet with little to no idea what or where somewhere is.

• 5 ways to increase productivity in manufacturing

  Stephanie Armstrong Manufacturing

  Productivity in the manufacturing process is critical as low work levels equate to money lost. If your company's production output isn't aligning with the business hours, examine how to improve efficiency. Not only does quickening and organizing the workflow save time, but it also allows you to produce more goods to increase profits. It's important not to cut corners as this will likely diminish the quality and lead to complaints or even recalls. Examining the current practices will help you discover what's slowing down the process. If you aren't sure what changes will enhance productivity, here are five factors to consider.

• Supply chain disruptions are causing havoc in the auto industry

  Bambi Majumdar Manufacturing

  The global semiconductor chip shortage has sent the auto world into a frenzy. The pandemic and stay-at-home lifestyles have created soaring demand for electronic devices, which has increased the demand for semiconductor chips. Semiconductors form the core of an increasing number of electronic devices, large and small. They help power large machines like space shuttles and automobiles as well as everyday devices like cameras, smartphones, vacuum cleaners, and refrigerators. Automobiles have relied heavily on semiconductors since the 1970s.

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

  Philip Burns and William Putsis Manufacturing

  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.

• What’s the BIG Idea? Episode 1: Sydney Guerrero on business development…

  Hank Boyer Manufacturing

  In this episode of What’s the BIG Idea? we visit with Sydney Guerrero, Vice President of Busines Development for Orion Innovation, an $850 million global IT leader in digital transformation and product development services.

• Infographic: Why you need diversity in the supply chain

  Brian Wallace Manufacturing

  Why does the supply chain need to be diverse, you ask? There are underserved populations and businesses that are minority-owned who are not getting a seat at the table. According to Avinandan Mukherjee, dean of the Lewis College of Business at Marshall University: "Small companies are at the mercy of larger retail buyers and suppliers sometimes, and they get less focus and attention, especially when production is lower at the other end. So bargaining power definitely creates some risk for smaller companies." Also, large corporations are often missing the mark for their minority suppliers. Diversity needs to be less talk and more action.

• 6 tips for financing heavy equipment for your construction business

  Abby Drexler Manufacturing

  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.

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