The Manufacturing Exchange

Rob Tracy Contact Info: rob@robtracy.net , 651-398-9280, Linkedin Gayle Noakes Contact Info: gayle@gaylenoakes.com, 612-791-8981, LinkedIn  All too often when we realize our Supervisors need more skills, we sign them up for a training program and wipe our hands, thinking the job is done. The Supervisors probably do need to learn new skills, but there is so much more that needs to happen for the Supervisors to effectively use these skills back on the job. There are six key components that all need to work together to create Supervisor Success. LEARNING Too many training sessions are still conducted with the attendees sitting and listening and looking at a PowerPoint presentation. Adults learn best through practical, hands-on activities, directly followed by applying the new skills back on the job and getting feedback on how they did. Supervisors need to learn from someone who knows manufacturing and can help them relate what they are learning to their real job in the manufacturing environment. COACHING ENVIRONMENT Supervisors need a leader in the company that they can go to while on the job to get advice, ask questions and even practice conversations they need to have with their employees, not only during the learning process but for the long term. SPONSOR As initiatives come and go, one leader in the company needs to be the champion and make sure the development of the Supervisors and employees continues. This includes defining and measuring what will be different in the business when development continues consistently and intentionally, setting clear expectations for development and job performance, building development efforts into the annual budget, and standing for development when short-term focus works to stop it. METRICS Supervisors are often measured on regular production metrics like production throughput. Do their metrics really match all of their job expectations, like training, coaching and developing the skills of their people? To reinforce leadership, the measures must reflect a larger business impact, such as, employee retention and internal employee promotions. SUCCESSION Development is a journey, not an event. Once Supervisors feel confident in their role, they need to be encouraged to develop others. They may need help on how to do this. They will need coaching on how their role and skills need to change and evolve as they build the skills of their people. OPERATIONALIZE THE PROCESS As with any manufacturing process, we need to document, audit and reinforce the successful process to sustain it over time. How does your Supervisor Development program measure up? To take a brief self-assessment, go to https://www.gaylenoakes.com/self-assessment. 

Welcome to the Manufacturing Exchange - the podcast that is 100% focused on the leaders of small and mid-size manufacturers! Running a manufacturing business is tough.  You need to do many of the same things that the big companies do, but you can’t afford all the specialists that roam the halls of those Fortunate 500 companies.  That’s where this podcast comes in.  We’re going to talk with people that have some of that deep expertise, and we’re going to share it with you in a way that is practical, approachable, and most-of-all - actionable. My name is Rob Tracy, and I’m the host of the show.  I’ve been in manufacturing for over 30 years, and 20 of those years have been in executive roles. I’ve worked in large companies, but my passion lies with smaller organizations.  When you lead a smaller company, you’re not just a cog in the machine.  You get to make the decisions and have an impact.  That’s exciting, AND a little scary.    I’ve spent most of my career running companies, and three years ago I hung up a shingle to go out on my own as a consultant.  It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I finally mustered the courage to do it. The podcast will be released weekly, and they will be 25 to 30 minutes long.  In each episode, we’ll focus on ONE topic related to the leadership and management of a small or mid-size manufacturing company.  I’ve pulled together a group of people to interview on the podcast that I know and trust.  They are experts in their field, and the GET leadership in a small and mid-size manufacturer. Some of the topics will cover include: Sales & marketing Strategy Ownership Talent, HR, and People Development Operating systems Product development Operations Finance & Accounting Lean Automation Future trends – like Industry 4.0 Hot topics – like supply chain resilience in a post-Covid world This podcast is an extension of another project – a monthly newsletter that I started publishing last fall.  The newsletter covers 4-6 topics each month, and those articles will be the fuel for the podcast interviews.  A link to subscribe to the newsletter is included in the show notes. I’m glad you’re here.  Please give us a listen.  I hope that there is at least one take away for you each week. The Manufacturing Exchange Website Subscribe to The Manufacturing Leader Newsletter Email Rob Tracy Rob Tracy Consulting