Are Middle Managers Still Important?

First, let’s define the term “middle management”. It is a term typically given to department heads that supervise front-line managers, implement strategy, solve problems, and serve as a feedback loop to the department VP and President/C-Suite Execs. The role of middle management is pivotal in many manufacturing organizations, even more so in today’s economy. These managers are not only responsible for fostering a high-performance team environment, but they also act as the crucial link between

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Pinpointing Excellence: 10 Essential Questions For Identifying Top Talent

1 – Can you tell us about a challenging project you worked on and how you resolved the difficulties that arose? This question is pivotal as it enables the interviewer to understand the candidate’s problem-solving capabilities and their communication skills. It also shows if they can perform well under stress. This question can indicate whether the candidate is an agile thinker, a collaborator, and capable of managing challenging scenarios. 2 – How do you stay

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Avoiding “Supply Chain” Divorce Court – 3 Traits To Look For in a Partner

When analyzing a company’s success, its process for supply chain management plays a major role. Whether it be lead times for prototypes or an uninterrupted supply of critical parts, having a flexible supply chain is critical. With geopolitical tensions and an emphasis on localized production, the significance of evaluating supply chain partners has reached unprecedented levels. Beyond mere price-per-part considerations, discerning manufacturers are now leveraging several metrics to optimize their supplier options, ensuring growth in

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5 Talent Acquisition Strategies for Engineering + HR Leaders

The hiring process is one that requires patience, intention, and active engagement. It’s often a resource-intensive task for companies to attract top-tier talent, as the traditional method of posting vacancies on job boards doesn’t always yield the desired results. Sourcing strategies have been evolving and will continue to do so, making talent acquisition increasingly challenging. According to a 2022 PwC report, a potential shortage of 85 million skilled workers by 2030 could result in $8

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5 Steps to Upskilling and Reskilling Your Teams in the Manufacturing Sector

Although the terms upskill and reskill are used interchangeably, they are not the same. What does upskill mean? Upskilling involves evaluating an employee’s existing skills and helping them to advance in their current role. It helps facilitate continuous learning by providing training opportunities to develop employee skills. Upskilling refers to cultivating a worker’s skillset to help them excel in their current role. It can involve refining either soft skills or technical skills to fill workplace

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5 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools To Use In Your Next Design Meeting

Engineering is a field rife with complex challenges and innovative solutions. Over time, tools and technologies have emerged to aid engineers in their work, and the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has further revolutionized the landscape. One such AI tool, ChatGPT, has demonstrated remarkable capabilities in assisting engineers. However, it is crucial to remember that it serves as a supplement, not a substitute, for the expertise, ingenuity, and innovative spirit that human’s bring to the

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Turn Your Job Posts Into Candidate Magnets

Welcome back to Round 2 of Engineering 365! You’ve heard the standard advice a hundred times, so in today’s issue, we’re exploring fresh, innovative approaches that will take your standard job posts and turn them into candidate magnets! Tell a story instead of listing requirements: Craft a captivating narrative that introduces your company, its mission, and the challenges it faces. Describe the role and its significance in the grand scheme of things and explain how

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The 10 most significant shifts facing organizations today.

Through the State of Organizations Survey, conversations with CEOs and their teams, along with supporting data from McKinsey & Company, we have identified ten of the most important organizational shifts that manufacturers and businesses need to address today. These shifts are both challenging and areas of opportunities, depending on how organizations address them. 1. Increasing speed, strengthening resilience Half the respondents in our survey say their organization is unprepared to react to future shocks. Those

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Succession Planning in 2024 – What’s Changed?

It’s not uncommon for CHROs or VPs to have successors lined up for executive-level roles. But imagine if they had this process and strategy for each level (manager and above) for the entire organization. Recruiters often rely on external hiring to fill positions, but focusing on internal candidates can save time and money. Instead of looking for these unicorn candidates once a letter of resignation, retirement notice, or reorg occurs, it’s critical to consistently survey

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1. The most sought-after skills you should begin sourcing for

2. Identifying ways the manufacturing sector is evolving over the next 2-3 years

It's specifically for Manufacturing Leaders looking to stay informed on emerging trends and effectively prepare their workforce for upcoming changes.