Introducing new systems or procedures and changing ways of working in your business can help you create a positive impact and drive growth within your manufacturing business. However, at first, it might be difficult to change long-term habits and encourage flexibility and openness to do things differently. Using the same processes time after time will lead to the same mistakes and outcomes. If you are looking to implement positive changes in your manufacturing business, it is crucial to develop strong leadership skills. No factory will be the same, and it’s important to know what the workers within your manufacturing business want.
In this article, we will look at different changes that you can introduce today to take your manufacturing business to the next level.
1. Increased Staff Autonomy And Embrace Robotic Automation
Autonomy at work is important as micromanagement can often be frustrating and stressful. Providing employees with more autonomy means they have the freedom to work in a way that suits them. This means they can choose when and how their work should be done. Although workplace autonomy will look different depending on your business type, if done correctly, it can benefit your team. This can go one step further with robotic automation. Adding robots to your manufacturing business can improve quality and quantity. Ensure you acknowledge good work, set goals and benchmarks, and provide support and guidance when needed. The manufacturing industry evolved with automation. Consider when the automation line came to the Ford factory. It sped up production and allowed for more cars to be manufactured.
2. Greater Focus On Sustainability
Placing a greater focus on sustainability will ensure that your business has the capacity to implement practices that minimize environmental impact. You will benefit from enrolling in a Business and Climate Change online short course from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Through taking the course you will gain a better understanding of the best strategies to mitigate business risks and oversee a low-carbon transition. This course will also help you lead collaborative sustainability efforts and ensure the resilience of your organization. The online learning experience provided by The University of Cambridge will also enable you to connect with like-minded individuals. This will be useful for any individual operating within the manufacturing industry.
3. Better Employee Recognition
Many employees feel they don’t receive enough praise in the workplace, so it might be beneficial to think about implementing a better employee recognition system. For example, showing gratitude for their hard work is one of the simplest yet most meaningful forms of expressing recognition. This will be helpful for those on the factory floor, as well as those in the manufacturing offices. You may also consider designating a space in your office where managers can write notes of appreciation to staff members who they feel have gone above and beyond in their work. You can also highlight employee achievements in monthly staff newsletters and schedule public recognition shout-outs on social media.
4. Improved Work-Life Balance
It is important to ensure that employees are supported to achieve a better work-life balance, especially those who manufacture heavy machinery. There are many workplace practices you can use. For instance, you can offer remote and flexible working opportunities. Many employees value employers who trust them to manage their own time and workload. You should also focus on productivity rather than the number of hours employees put in every day. In addition, remember to encourage your team to take regular breaks by creating break-out rooms. It has long been said that those in the manufacturing industry don’t enjoy a healthy work-life balance, but those days are long gone. Make sure that employees have achievable workloads by asking them to let you know if they feel overwhelmed.
5. Community Spirit
Encouraging employees to embrace their local neighborhoods and surroundings can help you improve their well-being. It is important to think of the bigger picture and show your team how they can make a change outside of their work. Doing so will bring a greater sense of doing more for others around them and reimagining corporate social responsibility. For example, it might be beneficial to allocate more time and resources for staff to volunteer for local charities and organizations. Look around the local factory and find out how you can support the community. They can get involved in a variety of initiatives, such as fundraising or beach clean-ups.
6. Mental Health Support
Supporting employees’ mental health can provide a variety of benefits to your work environment and overall success. It can lead to increased productivity, better retention, and improved creativity among employees. You can start by offering mental health training to managers so that they can recognize signs of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. This will equip them with the knowledge and skills to intervene in the best way possible. Teach them how to listen without judgment and take the right next steps to support employees in emotional distress. Be open to conversations about the importance of mental health to reduce any stigma.
7. Comfortable Home Offices
If your business has adopted a remote or hybrid work model, you may be wondering how you can ensure that employees stay healthy and productive. It is crucial to support your staff in setting up comfortable home offices. To start with, ask employees to choose the best workspace location for them. This is usually the best area with natural light or the quietest area in the house. Provide guidance to your team so they can accurately assess these factors and share ergonomic office desk and chair recommendations with them. Of course, this won’t be possible for all workers who operate within the manufacturing industry, but those who operate in offices will be able to make use of this.
8. Effective Feedback
Feedback given in the wrong way can lead to hurting or demoralizing other people, even if it is done with the best intentions. As an employer, it is crucial to provide effective and constructive feedback, as this can make a difference in employee performance and well-being. You can avoid the possibility of saying something that might hurt the employee by preparing in advance so that you are clear on what you are going to say. Develop a habit of doing it as often as possible to become more comfortable giving feedback and make sure you focus on discussing specific actions or characteristics.
9. Empathy And Compassion
Empathy and compassion should not be viewed as obligations but as important elements of a strong company culture. Being empathetic and understanding towards other colleagues will make it easier to communicate and resolve issues. Although some people in the workplace might be naturally empathetic, it is possible to teach empathy as a skill to others. You can help employees develop better empathy and compassion by encouraging them to approach problems from different points of view. Consequently, they will be able to see the situation from a team member’s perspective and consider the underlying factors that made the person feel the way they do.
10. Stronger Workplace Relationships
This is another area where a strong leader can introduce progressive changes. Teamwork is essential for the success of many organizations and as a result, companies often invest in team-building activities. If your company is remote-first, you can throw an online holiday party to lift everyone’s spirits. Sometimes, employees may be unsure of their tasks and responsibilities in the workplace, which can lead to tension and conflict. Remember to encourage team members to interact with each other outside of working hours, as this can help build trust and improve job satisfaction. Additionally, you should clearly define job roles and responsibilities for every staff member. Try to come up with something that is different from traditional manufacturing roles, in order to make it more exciting.
11. Positive Attitude
Increasing employee happiness is one of the best strategies you can implement to drive business growth. Staff members are more likely to make better decisions when they feel supported and happy at work. Moreover, they will have the freedom to think outside the box and suggest creative ideas for improvement, which will have a direct impact on your business’s success. Listen to your employees and find out what they need. This can be done by involving your employees in decision-making processes early on so that they can see that you value their input.
