Did you know that the manufacturing sector is the second-largest industry targeted by cyber criminals? Hackers know that manufacturers often use outdated software and do not invest in advanced network security and this makes them a very easy target. A study by Deloitte found that 40% of manufacturing firms have experienced a cyber-attack in the past year…
How would your team describe your leadership? What words would they use? Supporter? Motivator? Director? Servant? The concept of a servant-leader, while it seems like an oxymoron, is straightforward; servant-leaders encourage the development of their teams and prioritize the needs of others and avoid focusing on their own control and personal success. The concept of…
Canadian SME manufacturers strive to scale profitably while coping with global economic shifts, trade rules, and constantly morphing competition. A common obstacle to profitable growth is inefficiency caused by error-prone data entry, paper-based tracking, inaccurate inventory, quality challenges, and unnecessary waste. The situation is compounded by multiple combinations of disconnected or outdated systems – and…
On July 15, 2019, the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA) and the Ontario Provincial Government announced the launch of the Career-Ready with CTMA program – a new hiring program in partnership with Mentor Works Ltd. This program is helping close the skilled trades gap in the Machine, Tool, Die & Mould (MTDM) sector in…
Everyone knows that the wrong hire can be very costly to a business. Not only will a business incur real expenses with a bad hire (estimates show the cost of one bad hire to be in the range of $250,000USD, i.e. their salary, your team’s/trainer’s salaries, and opportunity costs of lost productivity), but you also…
Procurement tenders are an extremely common way of soliciting proposals for a project. In addition to being one of the main ways of doing business with the government, many private companies also use a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to narrow their focus for vendors for a project. Request for Proposal response and bid submissions…
The automotive industry is preparing for a future where consumers can purchase a wide range of powertrain types. Although internal combustion engines (ICEs) will continue to represent a large portion of the market, battery electric and hybrid options will grow in popularity and become a much more widespread option. OEMs are preparing for this reality…
Companies need working equipment to operate efficiently and generate revenue. In fact, many organizations rely exclusively on a few pieces of specialized equipment to run their entire business. Following a breakdown, major losses can occur and many organizations turn to equipment breakdown insurance. This is one of the most important parts of a manufacturer’s protection…
and autonomous vehicles are getting closer to being road-ready and manufacturers need to anticipate the shift. OEMs are doing a great job of phasing-in connected and autonomous vehicle technologies; this has made it easier for consumers and automotive suppliers to keep up. The implementation of new C/AV technologies in each model year is likely to…
Project Management is a critical function in many businesses. Even in companies that aren’t projectized, it’s probable that you’ll deal with many projects throughout the year. In an ideal situation, you’ll have access to a full Project Management Office (PMO), dedicated resources, and all the tools needed to successfully deliver on a project. Realistically, it’s…