Surviving the Tariff Turbulence
How Smart Shift Scheduling Can Protect U.S. Manufacturers Trade tensions are heating up again, and U.S. manufacturers are feeling the pressure. With tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other key imports driving up costs and supply chain disruptions causing delays, uncertainty is at an all-time high. How do you keep production steady while managing workforce stability … Continue reading “Surviving the Tariff Turbulence”
Non-wage Solutions to Rising Wage Pressure
Unable to compete on wages, HR managers in manufacturing need alternative ways to attract quality employees. This post discusses non-wage solutions for controlling costs, reducing turnover, and keeping employees engaged. Back when we were recovering from the Great Recession, we all knew this was coming. We watched and cheered as unemployment numbers dropped, month after … Continue reading “Non-wage Solutions to Rising Wage Pressure”
12 Symptoms You May Not Know Are Connected
Business Leaders and Managers regularly scan the health of their organizations. Even the most well-run businesses are embedded in a complex ecosystem with many influencing factors. Certain sub-optimal signals and symptoms may show up from time to time. When this happens, managers first look for the root cause – often buried among multiple signals – … Continue reading “12 Symptoms You May Not Know Are Connected”
Boosting ROI in Shiftwork Scheduling Projects
Understanding the return on investment (ROI) for any project is critical when evaluating whether it is a smart decision. The key to accurate ROI calculation lies in thoroughly assessing costs, risks, and benefits as an interconnected whole—though this process is rarely straightforward. Take this scenario: a company struggles to meet production goals. One option is … Continue reading “Boosting ROI in Shiftwork Scheduling Projects”
On-Call Systems: The Key to Seamless 12-Hour Shift Coverage
Unexpected absences happen, but your operations don’t have to come to a halt because of them. A well-designed on-call system can ensure business continuity by filling those last-minute gaps efficiently. Whether you manage a plant, or any operation with round-the-clock demands, on-call systems offer a reliable safety net. What is an On-Call System? An on-call system … Continue reading “On-Call Systems: The Key to Seamless 12-Hour Shift Coverage”
Understanding the Compressed Work Week: A smart strategy for enhanced staffing and scheduling.
Compressed Work Week (CWW) schedules are gaining popularity in various industries for their ability to provide employees with more time off while maintaining or even enhancing operational efficiency. But is this model right for your business? In this article, we will explore how CWWs work, their benefits and drawbacks, and provide some real-world scenarios to … Continue reading “Understanding the Compressed Work Week: A smart strategy for enhanced staffing and scheduling.”
What is the best schedule?
Answer from Ethan Franklin: While traveling to a client last week, the person sitting next to me on the plane asked me what I do for work. When I explained that I help companies and employees find and implement the best schedule, they immediately asked: So, what is the best schedule? I have been asked … Continue reading “What is the best schedule?”
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in 24/7 Operations
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in 24/7 Operations – What the Employee Surveys Reveal Managing a workforce across different shifts on different days and times – poses unique challenges in a 24/7 operation. From communication hurdles to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, the intricacies of overseeing diverse schedules require a nuanced approach. By understanding and … Continue reading “5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in 24/7 Operations”
How to Get HR & Operations Working Together
What can HR and Operations do together to boost production and employee satisfaction? Over decades of working with shift work operations, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of integrating HR and operational strategies on production output, employee management, and job satisfaction. Our experience has confirmed time and again that collaboration between HR and Operations … Continue reading “How to Get HR & Operations Working Together”
The Weekend Warrior Trap
Human Resource Managers, how would you like a schedule your employees will love? Plant Managers, how about a schedule that adds 40% more potential production hours onto your weekly schedule? It sounds like the best of both worlds, doesn’t it? While it sounds promising, the ‘weekend warrior’ schedule often brings more challenges than solutions. As … Continue reading “The Weekend Warrior Trap”