by Fronetics | Dec 23, 2014 | Blog, Manufacturing & Distribution, Supply Chain, Talent
As of late June 2014 there were 302,000 manufacturing job openings that were unfilled. These job openings are unfilled because employers cannot find qualified workers.
Pipe fitters, mechanical engineering technicians, welders, machinists, electronic assemblers, and operators of computer-numeric-controlled machines are the workers that are most needed. The problem is workers with these skills tend to be older and are at, or nearing retirement. According to Ben Dollar of Deloitte: “As workers retire, it’s becoming harder to find people with these traditional skills.” The Boston Consulting Group predicts that the number of job openings requiring these traditional skills will increase to 875,000 by 2020.
Companies with positions related to IT, software development, software engineering, and computer science are also struggling to fill positions (and get current employees up to speed). In an effort to help train the next generation of manufacturing talent, Siemens USA has donated more than $3 billion worth of manufacturing software to colleges over the past 18 months.
Eric Spiegel, Seimens USA CEO:
The digital world is coming very fast. There will be jobs. People may not count these jobs in IT and software development as manufacturing jobs, but they really are related to manufacturing.”
Seimens plans to fill 7,000 more people for these positions by 2020.
What positions is your manufacturing company struggling to fill?
What manufacturing job are you searching for?
by Fronetics | Dec 10, 2014 | Blog, Leadership, Strategy, Talent
Kate Lee, the senior director of research and strategy at Fronetics Strategic Advisors, has been named by Procurious as one of the 24 Most Influential People in Procurement.
The online business network for a new generation of procurement and supply chain professionals compiled the list to show who “you should be connecting with.”
Kate said she was “honored” by the recognition.
“The network and its members are not only industry leaders, but also leaders in innovation,” Kate said. “Procurious has more than 2,000 members from more than 70 countries and I’m thrilled to be part of such a niche social network.”
For the past 20 years Kate has worked with a range of people from senior executives at Fortune 500 companies to academics to refugees. At Fronetics Strategic Advisors, a management consulting firm focused on strategy and inbound marketing for the logistics and supply chain industries, Kate said she has been able to build a strong team which provides clients with unmatched service and value.
“I am proud of the team and our efforts in helping companies develop and implement inbound marketing and strategies that create results,” Kate said.
Kate is a newcomer on the Procurious list that also includes profiles such as ‘Local Producer’ AKA Brian Heinen, a driving force behind LinkedIn biggest groups for supply chain and sourcing professionals; Paul Snell, managing editor of Supply Management and Supply Business magazines; Hal Good, another LinkedIn power player in procurement with 13.5K followers on Twitter; and Tim Hughes, a top 35 UK blogger with 81.9K Twitter followers.
Procurious also cited the Fronetics Twitter account as a reason to welcome Kate into the mix.
The recognition of Kate read, in part: “The Fronetics’ Twitter account is both super-active and full of fascinating insights related to the profession.”
Kate again credited her team for the success:
“It comes down to the wonderful team at Fronetics,” she said. “We are committed to providing the industry with industry news as well as information on how to create and implement strategies that will create value.”
She continued:
“Additionally, we love engaging with individuals and companies within the industry via LinkedIn, Twitter, and our blog.”
by Fronetics | Dec 10, 2014 | Blog, Leadership, Strategy, Talent
Kate Lee, the senior director of research and strategy at Fronetics Strategic Advisors, has been named by Procurious as one of the 24 Most Influential People in Procurement.
The online business network for a new generation of procurement and supply chain professionals compiled the list to show who “you should be connecting with.”
Kate said she was “honored” by the recognition.
“The network and its members are not only industry leaders, but also leaders in innovation,” Kate said. “Procurious has more than 2,000 members from more than 70 countries and I’m thrilled to be part of such a niche social network.”
For the past 20 years Kate has worked with a range of people from senior executives at Fortune 500 companies to academics to refugees. At Fronetics Strategic Advisors, a management consulting firm focused on strategy and inbound marketing for the logistics and supply chain industries, Kate said she has been able to build a strong team which provides clients with unmatched service and value.
“I am proud of the team and our efforts in helping companies develop and implement inbound marketing and strategies that create results,” Kate said.
Kate is a newcomer on the Procurious list that also includes profiles such as ‘Local Producer’ AKA Brian Heinen, a driving force behind LinkedIn biggest groups for supply chain and sourcing professionals; Paul Snell, managing editor of Supply Management and Supply Business magazines; Hal Good, another LinkedIn power player in procurement with 13.5K followers on Twitter; and Tim Hughes, a top 35 UK blogger with 81.9K Twitter followers.
Procurious also cited the Fronetics Twitter account as a reason to welcome Kate into the mix.
The recognition of Kate read, in part: “The Fronetics’ Twitter account is both super-active and full of fascinating insights related to the profession.”
Kate again credited her team for the success:
“It comes down to the wonderful team at Fronetics,” she said. “We are committed to providing the industry with industry news as well as information on how to create and implement strategies that will create value.”
She continued:
“Additionally, we love engaging with individuals and companies within the industry via LinkedIn, Twitter, and our blog.”
by Fronetics | Dec 3, 2014 | Blog, Strategy, Talent
Where is your career going? If you feel like you are stuck in a career rut, here are five tips to pull yourself out:
1. Focus on the short-term, not your career path.
When it comes to a career path, one plus one doesn’t necessarily equal two anymore. The nature of business and the career landscape is evolving at lighting speed and making it nearly impossible to map out a five- or 10-year career path. So rather than trying to map out a long-term plan, optimize for one to two years.
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Expedia, Inc., offers this sage advice: “Look for the right opportunities, stay flexible, have some idea of what direction you are headed in, but don’t lock into a long-term direction because chances are that the world will change up on you.”
2. Speak up.
Does anyone know you want to switch department or roles, or is it your secret? Are you the only who knows that you want to move up the ladder within your company? If so, you need to speak up and let people know what’s on your mind. Talk with your boss, talk with the manager in the role/department in which you are interested, and talk with HR. If you let people know your desires, your desires will be much more likely to be realized.
3. Prove yourself.
Don’t think — act. If you want to take on additional responsibilities, you need to show that you are capable. If you want to move into a new role, prove that you have the skills to do so. Actions speak loudly.
4. Network.
Networking opens doors. Networking begets opportunities that benefit and feed your career, professional development, and personal interests. And if you are interested in finding a new job, networking will help you do just that. Studies have shown that the majority of candidates find jobs via their networks.
5. Quit.
If you are truly unhappy — quit. When you make the mental decision that you are going to leave your job, most likely you’ll feel a weight has been lifted. With the weight gone you will be able to more easily determine your next steps and find a new position. Note I said mental decision. It is best to give your actual notice after you find a new position.
Getting your career going in a positive direction will benefit you and your organization. It’s never the wrong time to make some moves designed to get yourself out of a career rut.
by Fronetics | Dec 3, 2014 | Blog, Strategy, Talent
Where is your career going? If you feel like you are stuck in a career rut, here are five tips to pull yourself out:
1. Focus on the short-term, not your career path.
When it comes to a career path, one plus one doesn’t necessarily equal two anymore. The nature of business and the career landscape is evolving at lighting speed and making it nearly impossible to map out a five- or 10-year career path. So rather than trying to map out a long-term plan, optimize for one to two years.
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Expedia, Inc., offers this sage advice: “Look for the right opportunities, stay flexible, have some idea of what direction you are headed in, but don’t lock into a long-term direction because chances are that the world will change up on you.”
2. Speak up.
Does anyone know you want to switch department or roles, or is it your secret? Are you the only who knows that you want to move up the ladder within your company? If so, you need to speak up and let people know what’s on your mind. Talk with your boss, talk with the manager in the role/department in which you are interested, and talk with HR. If you let people know your desires, your desires will be much more likely to be realized.
3. Prove yourself.
Don’t think — act. If you want to take on additional responsibilities, you need to show that you are capable. If you want to move into a new role, prove that you have the skills to do so. Actions speak loudly.
4. Network.
Networking opens doors. Networking begets opportunities that benefit and feed your career, professional development, and personal interests. And if you are interested in finding a new job, networking will help you do just that. Studies have shown that the majority of candidates find jobs via their networks.
5. Quit.
If you are truly unhappy — quit. When you make the mental decision that you are going to leave your job, most likely you’ll feel a weight has been lifted. With the weight gone you will be able to more easily determine your next steps and find a new position. Note I said mental decision. It is best to give your actual notice after you find a new position.
Getting your career going in a positive direction will benefit you and your organization. It’s never the wrong time to make some moves designed to get yourself out of a career rut.
by Fronetics | Nov 19, 2014 | Blog, Leadership, Marketing, Social Media, Strategy, Talent
Networking is often thought of as a (dreaded) job search action item. However, thinking about networking in this manner will leave you at a disadvantage. Networking is an action item necessary for your professional and personal growth.
Those who view networking as more than just a job search must, gain a competitive edge over those who turn to networking only when they are making a job/career change. Glen Llopis puts it this way:
“The more you procrastinate, the more you will find yourself disconnected from the opportunities that may potentially advance your career or allow you to meet the right people.”
How and why does networking matter? Here are five reasons why networking is essential and why connections matter:
- Research has shown that the larger the network, the larger the salary
- Networks beget jobs
- Networks bring opportunities that benefit and feed your career, professional development, and personal interests.
- Networks make people smarter
- Networks make people happy
Moreover, Kathryn Minshew, founder and CEO of The Muse and The Daily Muse, points out that:
“Networks are powerful, and when done right leave you surrounded by a core of individuals who are all rooting for your success and happy to help you.”
One of the greatest networking tools for professionals is LinkedIn. So before you begin, make sure you optimize your LinkedIn profile for success.
