Manufacturers and distributors both benefit from building strong relationships. In a world where margins are tight, companies have to use all resources at their disposal to understand each other, encourage collaboration and streamline the process of working together.  

Manufacturers often experience pain points as they navigate operations. There are many concerns and challenges that are experienced by people working in manufacturing. What can be done to alleviate these struggles? MAGNET recently interviewed 33 Northeast Ohio manufacturers about their pain points and unmet needs. Gina Tabasso of MAGNET in Ohio led a discussion for USA Manufacturing Hour Chat on Twitter and shared the top 6 points from those interviews with chat participants.

After allowing employees to work from home due to COVID-19 global pandemic safety concerns, many employers are now asking employees to return to the office. Some companies are adopting a hybrid approach while others are asking everyone to work back in an office environment full time. For many,  this is a massive adjustment. From integrating back into an office with co-workers to safety concerns, many employees are concerned about a return back to the office.

Felix Nater, the head of Nater Associates in North Carolina, led a discussion for USA Manufacturing Hour Chat on Twitter, discussing some of the ways to improve safety and workplace reconnection. Nater is the head of Nater Associates, an independent security management consulting firm that mentors leaders & trains workforces on how best to mitigate the threat of workplace violence, and the employer against the threat of civil liability through high-level advice; assistance. More information about the firm is available at www.naterassociates.com.

There are many opportunities to increase supply chain efficiency. There are also many challenges that impact the ability to run efficiently. By working through some of the challenges with some practical methods that have a big impact on supply chain management, any organization can increase their supply chain efficiency, regardless of industry.

Let’s start by exploring a few of the challenges to supply chain efficiency that impact most industries.

We’ve all felt it. That feeling you get when you’re being ignored. The same feeling that creeps in when someone bumps into you without realizing you’re there, or that abrupt end to your thought process that comes when someone talks over you. It’s that empty, lonely feeling that makes you feel like the only person in the world. It makes you question your self worth. It’s a powerful feeling and it can make you feel invisible.

Why do we do this to each other? We are so caught up in our own worlds that it’s easy to forget the people around us. The way we live today doesn’t help either. We live in an age where distractions live in our pockets. The noise and the visuals never cease. Despite this techno-assault, we are expected to tune that out and connect with others. We have too much vying for our attention every minute of every day? How is that possible?

Yes, you read that right.  Wandering around can make you a better manager.  In today's fast-paced, corporate environment, it can be difficult to peel ourselves away from the daily grind of emails, problems, and reports that keep us chained to our desks and out of sight.  We can become so bogged down with the responsibilities that come with being a manager, that it’s easy to forget our biggest responsibility:  Managing.

Managing doesn’t just stop at enforcing company policies and procedures or driving production.  Managing is spending time with your employees.  It’s embedding yourself with your teams, asking questions, and ultimately driving change through their feedback.  No manager knows everything. They can’t.