It turns out that surviving the recession was just the first step. Now small
to mid-size manufacturers face the challenge of properly scaling up
operations so as not to fail during this, the business-critical recovery and
renewal phase.
The danger now is that manufacturers will lose control of quality in
critical areas of value delivery, they will alienate key customers and lose the recovery
race even as the finish line comes into sight. Scaled up operational excellence is demanded at every discipline, from engineering
and production, to service and delivery; and scaled up operational excellence must extend to the disciplines of
branding, marketing and sales.
We are talking really, about the people side of industrial manufacturing, the need for brand-believing, highly dedicated employees. We're talking about human resource management and a new level of operational excellence that has been significantly undeveloped before the recession. So what impact will under-developed human capital have now for manufacturers needing to ramp up?
According to a 2013 survey “America’s Workforce: a revealing account of
what employees really think about today’s workplace”, 40% said they don’t get
the company’s vision or have never seen it. And only 43% said they feel
accountable for the company’s revenue, profit, or growth.
The results of the 2012 “American Psychology Association Workforce
Retention Survey” revealed that only 56% feel connected to the organization,
and only 51% feel their job gives them the opportunity to make a difference.
Here are some further statistics characteristic of companies that have “HR”
departments, but clearly are lacking in human resource development:
•
55% “not engaged” – do their jobs
but are not highly engaged.
•
16% “actively disengaged” – actually work
against the best interests of company.
•
29% “highly engaged” – put in extra
time, think about their jobs during off-hours, are energized, and generate the most per-employee profit.
When we think about it, the role of HR is as vital to the success of an
organization as are engineering, production, sales, marketing and branding.
Because it’s all about people striving, believing and being fulfilled by their
support for one clearly defined vision, mission and valued brand.
jb
www.centrifuge-now.com
