Servicing SMEs Throughout Atlantic Canada
Many manufacturing leaders acknowledge the need for productivity and efficiency improvements, but often don’t know where to start. Lean concepts are simple but navigating through the activities and tasks can be overwhelming. It’s important not get hung up on terminology, but rather focus on getting people involved and having an immediate impact on efficiency. In…
An effective JOH&S Committee is one of the most powerful, pro-active tools we have in preventing physical and mental injuries, as well as financial losses, in our workplaces. If for no other reason than having several of our most valued assets, our employees, taking an active hands-on role in identifying and mitigating hazards which reduce…
A coaching culture expands coaching to a broader scope, impacting the entire organizational structure and energizing all employees from top to bottom. Improvements can be noted in the following areas: Skill development at all levels Creation of a leadership pipeline Engagement by all employees Retention of employees at all levels Increased business performance A company…
Do you have management meetings? If you take notes, have you ever looked back at the minutes from the past and compare them to present day meetings? You may find the same discussions on the same issues. If properly conducted, meetings are an excellent format to foster teamwork, develop individuals, exchange ideas, build communication, make…
An expense is deemed a capital expense and not a current expense if the tangible item is for long term use. For example, equipment or office furniture you purchase would be considered a capital purchase (asset) because your business will use the desk or computer for many years. If your business purchased a computer for…
The proverb “Waste not want not” advises people not to waste anything, because they might need it in the future. In business we worry about wasting time and money because it goes right to the bottom line. Lean Leaders see waste as Enemy Number 1. They categorize waste into 7 or 8 types and then look at their operations with their “waste glasses” on. They look…
On July 6th I attended the Joint Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness meeting in Halifax where they presented their first annual report on plans and direction for the future. This initiative can be best explained by the Premier of Nova Scotia, Hon. Stephen McNeil’s message in the annual report: “Businesses across the Maritimes have told us that while they support the principles behind regulations-protecting health and…
Many managers evaluate the morale of their teams and wonder why they are struggling to improve the overall team environment. What are you doing currently? Is it working? If not, what needs to be done differently. It doesn’t always mean big changes are required. Do you even know what motivates your team members? Have you…
The idea that workers are skilled on every activity, focused all day, highly motivated for results, and directed by sensational leaders is a bit of myth. Recognizing that in order to rise to a greater standard, leaders must initiate well thought out processes and countless “tweaks” on whatever causes less desirable results to be produced.…
Reconciliation is a practice that should be completed on a regular schedule to ensure that business records are kept up to date and as accurate as possible. Although this sounds like a very common sense approach, it is not always that common. For example, if your vendor sends a monthly statement (as most do), you…