Improve Your Company Culture in Manufacturing
Hiring is hard work these days and you need to be flexible to attract people to your manufacturing jobs. One area to focus on is your culture.
In the past in the manufacturing industry, company cultures tended to be rigid and hierarchical. However, to remain competitive and hire and retain talented workers, your culture needs to keep up with the times and make a shift. Here are some tips for upgrading and improving it.
How Can You Improve Your Manufacturing Company’s Culture?
Ask for feedback regularly.
Whether you’re looking to improve efficiency, increase productivity or expand a product line, the first place you should turn to is your people. Engage them in any kind of process improvement discussions. Schedule monthly or bi-monthly meetings where you invite your team to share their ideas and opinions on ways to advance and improve. This can also increase employee morale and satisfaction.
Give your people a voice.
Your employees are on the floor doing the work each day. Beyond feedback meetings, make it easy for them to make regular suggestions and comments on ways to improve. This creates more collaboration across your team and your entire company, and also helps to identify and cut back on errors while improving efficiencies.
Cross train your people.
When you cross train your workers in different aspects of the manufacturing floor, you’ll not only build a stronger team, but a more engaged one. Your employees will have a bigger-picture understanding of company-wide goals and objectives, as well as where unique tasks and processes fit in.
Keep training fresh.
If your training program needs a makeover, now’s a good time to give it one. This is a big part of your culture, and it can get your new hires off to the best start possible. At the same time, it can ensure your existing team members are properly prepared for the challenges they face each day.
Focus on communication.
Communicating is always critical, especially in manufacturing. Employees won’t remain engaged, productive and motivated if you’re not checking in with them, asking for their feedback, and discussing ways you can best support them. So aim to forge relationships that focus on communication, collaboration, recognition and respect.
Need help bringing new candidates into your culture?
Let Gill Staffing handle the hiring. As one of West Michigan’s leading staffing agencies, we can source, screen, recruit and refer you to exceptional candidates who can become a valuable contributor to your team. Simply contact us today to get started.
