If you are an entrepreneur and you are either starting a factory business, or you are currently running a manufacturing operation, the challenges that you face regarding changing industry combined with your staff needs will always make you choose your allegiances. It is a balance to meet the needs of industry demand when you have such a large workforce to keep happy. With more uncertainty in the business market and with the shake up in the world market in the wake of the announcement of Donald Trump becoming the 45th president of America (the Dow plummeted lower than it did after 9/11), sometimes you will have to make sacrifices. It can cause your workforce to feel that they are underappreciated and stretched to breaking point. Is there a way to tow the line between keeping the employees happy while also making the most out of your workforce? Even in the topsy-turvy world of start-up businesses, it can be very difficult to keep it all going smoothly. So what can you do?
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Set up a partnership that is mutually beneficial
If you are a start-up, it is difficult to be taken seriously by the big companies. Likewise, you won’t be bringing enough business to warrant their interest. This leaves you in a precarious position if you want to trade on a larger scale. If you persuade the bigger businesses that a partnership will be beneficial for both parties, this will be a key strategy to promote business growth.
Start out small
The age-old expression of “crawl before you can walk” applies here I’m afraid. Don’t take the risk of purchasing equipment like industrial led lighting or factory space. Start by renting the equipment you need and focus on the manual labour aspects while you fine-tune the product. It will undergo many changes before you have nailed it.
PexelsAre you paying attention to detail?
Manufacturing is a process of trial and error. Also, human error will occur. We are all human, and I take it you cannot afford a fleet of robots just yet! So you need to integrate a follow-up system. You cannot assume that the product is right every single time. In a factory line, there are issues such as fatigue to contend with. If you encourage discipline in a team setting, this will improve productivity. And also if you focus on dependency within each team, it is less hierarchy and more of a well-oiled machine.
Keep your staff happy
Happy staff are productive workers. Keep them happy. Factories in Japan start their day with a quick aerobic session to get the blood flowing. The benefits for the staff as well as the productivity increase will result in a better operation overall. To create a common unity in the business, having people together instead of segregation is something to unite the workers. Team mentality does wonders for enthusiasm. And this is better than an approach where people are encouraged to look after themselves. That doesn’t help anyone, and it certainly won’t help the business!
