Manufacturing Excellence - Inspire, Lead and Succeed with ETHICRESPECTALITY!

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.  

~Oprah Winfrey

If you think I made a mistake when you look at the word ETHICRESPECTALITY, you may be correct because you will not find it in the dictionary - at least not yet. However, I like to be creative, I like to create, and I like to play with words. 

Over the Christmas break, I was thinking about what really makes a great company great. There are so many things that go into the creation of a successful business but mainly it's the people who work there, who value what they do and who think about what they can do better every single day.

The first thing I see when I walk into an organization is not the CEO and most likely not any one of the VPs. What I do see are the regular people who represent the company. I truly enjoy observing people's behaviour - the receptionist, the customer service department, and the employees in general. How do they act?  How do they respond? How do they walk? How do they talk? By looking at the people who work in a company, I can immediately tell how the message from the top is being received, if certain philosophies are being lived and if organizational values are just on the wall or walking down the hall. 

EthicRespectAlity stands for Ethics, Respect and Quality. These are common sense values that we shouldn't even have to talk about and yet it seems we could all do better by increasing our awareness and standards when it comes to this business philosophy.

Ethics:

When did people start to think that personal and business ethics are two separate entities?  You are either ethical or you are not.

Respect:

Why does it seem to be so difficult to be respectful to one another? Employees will never give their discretionary effort if they are not treated with respect.

Quality:

How can we shift from a cost to a quality mindset? Customers are willing to spend money if they get what they pay for. 

 

I do my best to model good behaviour for others and I know first hand that this is one of the most difficult things to do. It takes a certain discipline to expect more of yourself than you expect of others. However, if you believe that it is "Time for Change", please consider including EthicRespectAlity in whatever you do and want to accomplish in 2012. 

A Happy New Year!

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.  

A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. " 

~ Bill Vaughan

There is really something about the amazing energy of a New Year as long as we don't hope for a new start on old habits. May all your personal and professional hopes, dreams and aspirations come true!


From the bottom of my heart, I wish you Health, Happiness and Prosperity in 2012!

Manufacturing Leadership Challenge -Do You Know What Educational Spam is?

Spam is flooding the Internet with many copies of the same message in an attempt to force the message on people who would not otherwise choose to receive it. For me, spam is commercial advertising, often for dubious products, get-rich-quick schemes, or quasi-legal services. Educational spam on the other hand is something entirely different. It's from someone whom you know and it may be well worth your time to explore. If you're still not sure what it is, please take a look!

Manufacturing Leadership Challenge - What Do You Know about the Reshoring Initiative?

Meet Harry Moser, the Founder of the Reshoring Initiative! The mission of the Reshoring Initiative is to bring good, well-paying manufacturing jobs back to the United States by assisting companies to more accurately assess their total cost of offshoring, and shift collective thinking from 'offshoring is cheaper' to 'local reduces the total cost of ownership.' Take a look!

Manufacturing Excellence - Inspire, Lead and Succeed with HUMOUR!

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."
- E.E. Cummings

Sometimes when I walk into manufacturing facilities I am shocked by the depressing atmosphere that some people have to work in. Why do people think that everything work related has to be serious?

How can employees find joy and satisfaction in the work they do if they are not allowed to communicate with one another? When there is no fun you run the risk of creating a stagnant and boring work environment.

How can you feel alive and energized if there is no humour in the workplace?
How can organizations succeed if people are disengaged and demotivated?

As a manager, can you imagine the impact you could have on your employees if you would improve your communication skills and spruce up boring presentations by making them funnier and livelier?
How would you  feel if people actually listened  to what you had to say?

If you have a moment, please check out this great video with a very original idea:

Humour @ Work

Manufacturing Leadership Challenge - Women in Manufacturing?

Recently I had the exciting opportunity to be part of an event that was a milestone for women in the 21st Century. About 150 women executives, managers and supervisors gathered in Cleveland, OH at the First Annual "Women in Manufacturing" symposium. This unique networking and educational event was designed exclusively for women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry. I had the privilege to interview some very dynamic women. I invite you to hear their insights.

Our Next FREE Workshop at the Richmond Hill Library is on December 6, 2011

Lost your Job?  Hate your Job?

Discover what you want and go for it!

Have you been laid off once or multiple times? Are fearful that you may be laid off soon?  Do you feel stuck in your current career? Do you  want to change direction but don’t know how?  Are you ready to be proactive and make a plan for your life?

We can help! We provide a supportive and positive learning environment and empower people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. It is all about taking action and taking 100 % responsibility for your life and for your results!

Sometimes it's tough to stay positive considering all the fears and insecurities we have to deal with. However, we have learned from our own experience that attitude is everything and it is our goal to communicate to YOU how you can turn a positive outlook in your job search into action.

Come and join us! It's time to sign up.....

Our commitment to you is to give you positive energy, a lot of new ideas and a fantastic workshop without any investment for you, except your time. If you give us your commitment to participate, please do not let anything prevent you from attending. It will be well worth your time and effort.

This attitude alone will separate you from others who are looking a job. I firmly believe, how you do anything is how you do everything!

"When one door closes, another opens. But we often look so regretfully upon the closed door that we don't see the one that has opened for us."

~ Helen Keller

When? December 6 from 6 pm - 8.45 pm

Where? Central Library, 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill, L4C 0H5 (west/south corner of Major Mackenzie and Yonge)
Why? This is our contribution to serve the community

Please register @ the Library or via email at karin@karicosolutions.com.