The statistics are everywhere, but if you work in manufacturing and construction, you don't need statistics to confirm what you already know: frontline workers are not engaged. The downstream effects of disengagement are significant, quantifiable and avoidable. The first step in addressing engagement problems is to define the term - What does it mean to say Workers are engaged?

The most important aspect of engagement (and the one most often overlooked) is its bi-directional nature. The essence of engagement is an ongoing give and take of information. Put more simply, engagement requires both a voice and ears to hear that voice. When evaluating engagement within an organization, it is important to take both the perspective of the manager and the worker into account.

5S - Principle so Basic it’s Brilliant
 
Lean manufacturing efforts have been around for more than a century but perhaps there are none quite as simple and effective as the 5S (five-step) method. 5S was designed to eliminate waste, improve cleanliness and enhance quality control at a manufacturers’ most basic levels.
 
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, when executed correctly the 5S lean manufacturing system will enhance productivity and minimize the use of excess material. By following the five-step process and using its visual cues, leaders and workers at manufacturing facilities can experience a more orderly workplace and improve operational performance.
 
The 5S method is reported to have made its manufacturing debut post WWII as part of the Toyota Total Production System process and has been implemented at manufacturing facilities around the world.  The root of this methodology came from Kaizen – the system of constant improvement and a key part of lean manufacturing. Kaizen is actually a Japanese term that means “the real place” so it’s no surprise the rally cry for 5S is “a place for everything and everything in its place.” It was implemented with the notion that most improvement and competitive success will come from efficiencies created on the factory floor.
 
What Each S Pillar Stands For
So, what do all the “S’s” stand for? 

In this two-part series, we’ll dive into the EX, or employee experience, and the numerous ways it can drive your business forward. Part 1 will look closely at what it is and questions you should ask yourself in key areas of your organization. Part 2 will address how analytics can help enhance today’s EX by creating a richer, more robust experience for all involved.  

EE is out, EX is in

While employee engagement is a fundamental aspect in ensuring satisfaction on the job, the reality is it’s just one of several elements that should round out an entire employee experience (EX) for today’s workers.

Dashboards, Smart PPE and new algorithms help retain talent

Organizations are doing whatever it takes to create deeper-rooted connections with their employees as most are fully aware of how important engagement is to driving better business outcomes in today’s job environment. So, how do you know what you are doing is effective? Data-driven analytics, HR dashboards, artificial intelligence and smart PPE all play a critical role in determining how well you are doing in the area of employee engagement.  Not only do these platforms provide leadership and key HR personnel with quick insights at a glance, they can also be used to  make important decisions when it comes to talent, hiring, safety and more. 

Ensuring the Value of Your Investment

by Adam Chose
 
The ability to connect smart devices seamlessly across networks to improve manufacturing processes and increase productivity has become big business. Multiple industries are seeing explosive growth in the ROI of IoT as research reveals it will reach $91 billion by 2023. That’s proof enough that major organizations view this fascinating and relatively new technology as an important strategic investment for the future of their business.

While it’s quite clear that IoT is here to stay, and that the ROI of IoT is strong, it’s still somewhat uncertain exactly how manufacturers will prove its return on investment and problem-solving capabilities. Beyond having a wow factor, research from McKinsey says as a new technology, understanding the implications of IoT’s bottom line impact has yet to be fully vetted and its benefits aren’t as understood as other, more established technologies like data analytics. But business leaders are abuzz with all the ways they envision it improving everything from operations and manufacturing processes to research and development. 

Whether you are cautious about this growing technology trend or are diving into it head first, there are a few steps to help ensure you are investing properly and able to better measure IoT’s benefits. 

Industrial IoT Increases Efficiencies, Value Chain with Better Analytics

The industrial/B2B market is rapidly expanding its IoT proficiency – mostly within the automotive and manufacturing sectors, followed by transportation and logistics. The market leaders in these segments are paving the way to a brighter business future and using IoT to connect their products to a more effective and efficient value chain. The global industrial internet of things market size is expected to reach almost $1 trillion within the next six years, according to a report by Grand View Research, Inc. And is projected to expand at a CAGR of 29.4% during that timeframe.

​Gen Z may just be the answer to the manufacturing industry’s skilled trade shortage. According to a recent study by Leading2Lean, one third of this generation, which ranges from 18-22 years old, has had manufacturing suggested as a career option. That number was only one in five for Millennials. The study also suggested that Gen Z is intrigued by careers in manufacturing. They are more likely to consider working in it and less likely to view it as a declining industry. Here’s a quick look at five reasons manufacturing jobs are becoming more appealing to this generation and what you can do to ensure you are attracting this group of new collar workers. 

​Industry experts report that addressing data security issues will supersede innovation and other opportunities to ensure growth and confidence in all things IoT. That’s because potential risks are increasing as companies make investments in hard-to-resist technology that is designed to make work more streamlined and productive. 

How workforce intelligence software can impact today’s top HR challenges

By Adam Chose

​It’s not surprising that the top two HR issues most critical to organizations are employee engagement and retention. Yet studies abound with proof that investing even 1 percent of payroll into improving the employee experience and measuring its results can have a long-lasting ripple effect on employee retention analytics and happiness on the job. Gallup polled more than a million employees and those that worked with highly engaged organizations reported less absences and less turnover.