Industry remains charged up about lithium-ion batteries
Though lithium-ion technology has been around for more than two decades, it’s just recently that this technology has been available in material handling applications. “We’re definitely in an evolution, if you think of it as crawl-walk-run adaptation, we’re still in that crawl stage,” says Jennifer de Souza, senior director of Energy Solutions & Procurement for Raymond. “There’s a lot of shiny objects.” But that interest and buzz...
MHEDA Rental Strategies II
Last month, I started a series based on the information and ideas presented at the 2019 MHEDA Rental and Used Equipment Conference. This conference was held in October of 2019, and during the conference, I shared ideas and strategies with the attendees regarding best rental practices, and strategies. Although the information provided by the speakers was relevant and useful, some of the most exciting ideas were shared across the table...
This place couldn’t survive without me…Not!
When I was 19, my dad made me production manager of his 75-employee kitchen cabinet manufacturing factory. Before I officially took the job, I worked in the shop at each job, and set production standards based on what I could produce at each station. On my first official day as boss, Ozzie, our superstar cabinet assembler (main guy in the most important position), came to me and asked for a 25 cent per hour raise. I went to my dad for...
Quarter One: Here we come.
I am composing this month’s column after opening the presents Santa left for me. All I can say is he must have enjoyed the shot glass filled with 30-year-old Scotch I left under the tree. Also been wondering how you reacted to last month’s column which did not express much hope for 2021. Adding another six weeks of data to the thought process has not changed my mind much, and in fact, I came up with another risk or two that need...
Ten ways to create a WOW Culture (and retain your best talent) in 2020
Are you creating what Deb Boelkes calls a “WOW factor workplace”? If not, watch out: You’re at risk of losing your best people. Here, she suggests ten things leaders should do—or stop doing—to turn your culture around this year January is the perfect time to start thinking about your workplace culture. A positive one produces happy, engaged employees who give their best efforts, challenge themselves to grow, and...
Forget the resume and pedigree. Focus on challenging and growing people
We frequently assume that if we hire someone with a great resume and a strong background of industry and competitor experience, we’ve found a gem. That this person will bring to the organization a breadth of knowledge that will help provide new insights on industry best practices and secret sauces. If we can get them at a reasonable cost, even better. But is this really a great hire? I’d argue, it’s quite wrong. Many...
The three disciplines of strategic thinking
Do you get it? Translation: Are you strategic? How often have you overheard a group talking about a leader and saying, “She/he just doesn’t get it”? Do they say that about you? Well, are you tactical or strategic? Does it even matter? A survey conducted with 400 talent management leaders found that the #1 most valued skill in leaders today is strategic thinking. Unfortunately, research with 154 companies found that only 3 out of every...
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