In the good old days, many problems in the workplace could be solved by throwing more manpower at the problem. Generally speaking, there was no shortage of problems, or manpower to throw at them.
Today’s world is different. Lack of workers is a very real problem for more and more companies. Throwing more people at the problem is no longer a viable option. In fact, workforce shortages has become commonplace, making business requirements like running 3 shifts virtually impossible, forcing these organizations to meet demand with the output of two shifts to try and stay competitive.
This situation can lead to a range of problems such as increased workforce and management stress, stressing equipment, quality issues, and a greater risk of missing key customer delivery dates.
The reality is that companies are seldom designed from the ground up for the problems we face today. They have evolved as they grew, primarily focused on not disrupting existing operations as demands arose.
Taking a step back and looking at the overall operation with an eye towards sustainability and growth, rather than simply maintaining the status quo, could be the difference between life and death for many organizations. Streamlining processes, more efficient equipment, or innovative approaches to training, can result in access to new markets, and a sustainable, growing company that with higher long-term profit potential.