Survival Tips for Supply Chain Professionals May 14, 2008 10:34 AM
JobZone
Search and post jobs for the Multichannel Merchant. Including jobs for brand & agency marketers, e-commerce, catalog marketers, ops & fulfillment, direct marketing and more.
Good manufacturing jobs are still abundant, but they are becoming more complex
-- due mainly to the increased focus on boosting productivity and efficiency --
and the people who succeed in the field need advanced training, education and
support.
According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, manufacturing output
in the United States rose by 58 percent between 1993 (the year NAFTA was
approved) and 2006, a greater rate of growth than the 42 percent increase in
the 13 years prior to the passage of the trade deal.
As U.S. manufacturers face ever-increasing competition from the global market
and a declining economy, workers need to ensure that they are secure in their
jobs – and that their companies are successful.
Recently, APICS The Association for Operations Management released a report
outlining the top five ways manufacturing and supply chain professionals can
succeed at their jobs and gain job security:
1. Keep your training up to date
Today, businesses must have employees who are continually enhancing their
knowledge and discovering new ways to execute their jobs with greater
productivity and flexibility. To stay ahead of the curve on innovation,
technology and best practices, make sure you are up to date on all of the
training and latest certifications that are available to you. Many times, your
organization will even pay for you to receive the training or latest
certification you need to ensure their business stays at the forefront of
technology and best practices.
2. Network
Reach out to other professionals in your field to find out what they are doing
to keep ahead and succeed. Through venues like conferences, local chapters and
forums, organizations like APICS provide many opportunities for professionals
to network with their peers. Networking will help you keep up to date with the
latest trends in your field and your expanded network of relationships will
both help you succeed at work and advance your career.
3. Communicate your ideas
If you think you have a good idea to improve efficiency or productivity, the
most important thing you can do is share it. Successful managers are always
looking to improve efficiency and improve the bottom line and most are happy to
give credit where it is due. Sharing your ideas not only lets management know
you care about your job, it tells them that you are engaged and a valuable
member of the team that works towards bettering the work environment and the
company’s bottom line.
4. Become an expert
Today, companies are looking for motivated individuals who contribute on
multiple levels. Familiarize yourself not only with what your company does, but
also deepen your knowledge of the whole industry. By becoming an expert in your
office on the latest trends, your competition, and the sector as a whole, you
will be relied upon by your peers and management to provide valuable insight
and will be on your way to becoming an indispensable part of your workplace and
your organization.
5. Take pride in what you do
Now that you have invested the time to get the latest training and education,
show your organization that you are proud of your accomplishments. Share your
expertise with co-workers and management and accomplish your tasks knowing that
everything you do reflects on you. Whether you are sharing ideas, being a
mentor at work or showing others how to get the latest training and
information, when you take pride in what you do, you will become a leader in
the workplace and a valued member of the organization.
For more information visit www.apics.org.
Survival Tips for Supply Chain Professionals
