FEBRUARY 2020 COVER STORY
Your people are
key to boosting
productivity on
your site
he says. “As digital transformation continues
to redefine manufacturing jobs of the future,
leaders and workers alike need to embrace a work
environment that blends advanced technology
and digital skills with human skills. This includes
collaboration platforms, work-based social
media and instant messaging, along with more
transformative innovations such as AI, robotics,
advanced data analytics and the IoT.”
It’s important to remember, however, that
not everyone will respond the same way to this.
What will motivate millennials won’t necessarily
motivate baby boomers. Moloney recommends
moving away from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach
to working. “Too many companies work hard to
recruit the best talent, and then try to dictate
to them how to work,” he says. “It’s better to
ask ‘how can we help you to maximise your
productivity?’.”
He cites an American technology company
that offers new starters a choice of technology –
even down to the shape of the keyboard. Staff can
choose what works best for them. “The employer
lays out what it’s expecting of its staff, and then
lets them find the best way of reaching that goal,”
continues Moloney.
The third and fourth pillars process and
technology, are closely linked, says Moloney. “On
1 January 2020, we had access to 25 times more
data than we did on 1 January 2010. That sounds
Tips for improving productivity
Put people first: Your frontline staff are the ones best place
to find – and implement – productivity gains, so be sure to
engage with them regularly
Automation may not be the answer: Don’t get sucked into
the trap of trying to automate your way to better productivity.
Spending time sifting through data isn’t the best use of
someone’s day
Presenteeism doesn’t equal productivity: Just because
someone is at work, it doesn’t mean they are being productive.
Change your way of thinking to analyse what people are
contributing to the business
Be flexible: Not everyone will work the way you want them to –
the most productive companies are those that grant employees
the option to find a way of working that is best for them
Beware the treacle layer: Middle management is most likely
to resist changes to their way of working. Be sure to help them
make the changes that are needed
Level 7 apprenticeship
in manufacturing operations
Use your apprenticeship levy to create world-leading operations
management with the Operations Excellence Mastership.
Develop the skills required to transform manufacturing operations into world-class business in all
sectors of manufacturing. Bringing expertise from several disciplines delegates will develop the
skills required to streamline manufacturing processes enabling them to be more effi cient, improve
quality and be more cost effective.
To fi nd out more about our level 7 apprenticeships and how they
can be used to transform your business please contact us:
Dr Patrick McLaughlin
E: p.mclaughlin@cranfi eld.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1234 750111
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk 19
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