Perspective: Corporate vs Individual Manufacturing Facility

Hey guys! Sorry it's been a while since I've posted anything! Life has kept me extremely busy lately! I started a new job,  moved and am finishing my last class for my bachelor's degree. Whew! I know you're all busy too, so I'm sure you understand.

As I said, I started a new job two weeks ago. This is only my second full time job as a buyer and really in the corporate or manufacturing world. I was somewhat surprised to find out that many of the challenges I faced at my old job are the exact same ones that the purchasing group is facing at my new job. One thing that really stands out to me and that I chose to address in one of my podcasts is the perspective of the many employees. I was quickly initiated into every area of the facility I'm working out of by being sent to meetings with all departments and going on Gemba walks. If you're not in manufacturing, a Gemba walk is a walk through the plant to stop at specific locations, check their boards that have key information and hear from the leads in those areas. All key management as well as production schedulers and purchasing participate in this so that we can be made aware of any issues that we need to address and stay tuned in with what's actually going on out on the shop floor. Anyway, I have quickly become familiar with the different teams and how they interact, which has given me a good look into some of the issues everyone is facing. Before I even moved to the manufacturing facility at my old job, I noticed a distinct attitude or perspective difference between people at corporate and people at the plants. Corporate personnel had a big picture perspective and plant personnel were really only interested in their own daily world. I get this to an extent, but it seems to me that at least the management would have to understand and exhibit a more corporate type mindset. You know, like everything is for the good of the whole company, not just one facility. So what I found at my new job, is that it's the same way. There are many people there who are only interested in that specific facility and can't seem to see the big picture. One  person even made a comment saying something like, "We are our own entity. We like this supplier. Just because corporate doesn't, we shouldn't have to stop using them." Mind you,  this wasn't someone in purchasing. We are all on board and know that everyone should be working together.

I can see why some people would not be able to see the big picture. The employees who have no ties to corporate or who have been with the one facility since before they were bought by the big corporation. That makes sense to me. But like I said earlier, I don't understand why some of the higher up people or managers seem to have that same attitude. This applies to processes and procedures for the most part. So many people refuse to adjust their thinking, much less their actions. But you know, I don't hear any of them complaining about the increased benefits or days off. Perhaps someone needs to remind them that change comes with good and bad and we have to accept all of it, or move on.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. What do you think?: Oh, by the way, I have some podcasts out there under "The Pink Hard Hat" as well. I introduced myself a little more and started at the beginning of my career, which was only 7 short years ago. Take a listen and shout back!

So, I just did my first interviews/video for this blog! Interesting info from the male and female perspectives. Take a look!

Gender Pay Gap Has Its Own Holiday - So It Must Be Real, Right?

Ok, a few days late, but are you as confused by this as I am? It has its own what??? And does that make it real? I was reading an article on the Fortune.com titled, “Don’t Believe These 5 Myths About the Gender Pay Gap” and saw that today is “Equal Pay Day.” I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking that’s kind of crazy! Why would we have a day in honor of this whether it’s true or not? Will Hallmark start making cards for this now?! It would have to be a money holder card, right? Because you know, our male bosses and male coworkers would want to voluntarily give us money today to even things out…haha!

All kidding aside, the article has some good information in it. I do believe that gender pay gap is a real thing. I did some research for one of my classes and everything I found confirmed that it’s true. I’m a very logical person most of the time, so I thought there had to be some reason other than gender. That’s why I decided to research. I just couldn’t believe that this could be true in this day and age. What I found, and what this article states as well, is that it is true and overall, no other valid reason can be found for the pay differential between men and women. The article is a good read. Check it out and let me know what you think!

http://fortune.com/2018/04/10/gender-pay-gap-myths/

Me, a Manager?

As I was perusing Twitter this morning, I came across an article that talked about the differences between being a manager and a good manager. It really stresses the idea of creating a positive work environment. I don't have the word manager in my title and no one reports to me. But I think we’re all managers to an extent. Let me explain.

As a buyer, on a daily basis, I talk to internal and external logistics personnel, internal and external accounting personnel, internal and external shipping/receiving personnel, and the list continues. Part of my job is to “manage” these people. It’s up to me to make sure that the materials I buy ship in a timely manner, are delivered and received in and then are paid for. That means I sometimes need to firmly encourage other people to get their job done correctly and I regularly thank other people for doing a great job. It’s important for me to maintain a good relationship with all of my internal and external stakeholders. If I’m not careful I can end up on their bad side and that’s something that I definitely don’t want. We are a team, so I try to think like a team captain. A team captain is part of the team, so understands the strengths and weaknesses of the team and strives to improve the team. A good team captain does this by working with the team, right alongside the other members, encouraging and congratulating while also giving tips on how to improve. They don’t take advantage of their position to make others feel inferior. They don't berate weaker team members, but do offer advice and helpful hints to improve their performance. They build up their team members. As a woman in a male dominated environment, this is sometimes even more challenging. There are still many men out there who don’t want to be told what to do by a woman. It bruises their ego. I try to approach situations with an attitude of humbleness because after all, they do know their job better than I know their job. Instead of coming in immediately with questions such as, “Why didn’t you do what I asked?" or "Why didn't you get this done on time?” I come into the situation asking, “Is there something I’m missing? Can you help me understand what happened? What can I do to help ensure this goes smoother next time?"

Managing others is something we all do on a regular basis. We manage up, down and sideways. Every person is a valuable team member and should be treated as such. Just remember, bad managers run off the best employees, but good managers turn the worst employees into more valuable team members.

Wonder Woman!

     It's so easy to want to be "Wonder Woman" right?! We want to do it all. We want to to be supermom, super employee, super wife, super student, super volunteer, etc...And it seems that the world actually expects that of women. Not just in the current time period, but always. I can certainly understand the demands of all of these titles even though my three kids are now "grown" and out of my house. I put very high expectations on myself in every area of my life. I work 40+ hours a week and I've been taking a full-time course load for the last year and a half  so that I can earn my bachelor's degree.. I've achieved and maintained a 3.75 GPA and have exceeded managers' expectations at work, while being a mom of young adults who yes, still need their mom, and worked to maintain friendships and had some fun (very little haha!). During this time period, I've realized, I don't have to be the very best at everything, and I need to take care of myself. I still struggle with making myself a priority, but I'm getting better at it. So, here are some tips for all the want to be "Wonder Women" out there. 

1. Take a break - Whatever a break means for you, take it. A long soak in the tub, a walk in the park, a Netflix binge day, a really hard workout...downtime, whatever refreshes or relaxes you.
2. Spend time with the people you love - This could be your significant other, your kids, your best girlfriends, or whomever else is important to you. Give them your undivided attention. No work talk. No electronic devices. 
3. Do something different - If you tend to always go out to eat because you just don't have time to plan a meal, take the time and cook a meal at home. If there's an activity you've thought about trying, do it! If there's a subject you're curious about, research it or take a class on it. 

     I wish you all luck and really hope you will make yourselves a priority!

Shop Time vs Shopping Time

     As a girly girl, I love to shop, so buying for a living works well for me! Being a buyer means I shop all day, everyday! It requires me to spend lots of time looking over reports, analyzing usage and inventory numbers, getting quotes, checking costs and tracking shipments. These things all keep me in my chair at my desk for most of the work day. However, something that I've found to be really important is time in the shop. Some facilities have a required daily walk through the shop and the stocking areas. If your's doesn't, take some time at least several days a week to get out to the manufacturing area.
     One of the reasons I think it's important to visit the shop is to show the guys/gals who work out there who you are and to get to know them a little bit. Building a relationship with the people who use the materials that you buy gives them more confidence in you. It helps them see that you're an actual person, not just a name. Being out on the floor regularly also shows them that you're one of them, not just someone who sits at a desk all day. The facility I work at isn't climate controlled. So when I go out to the manufacturing areas, it can be really hot or really cold, or even rainy. I think the people who work out there everyday gain a new respect for me when they see me in the same, sometimes uncomfortable environment that they are always in.
     Learning the different areas and machines is really helpful for buyers too, so is another good reason to visit the shop floor. Knowing what material is used on which machine and what task or tasks each machine performs helps you understand manufacturing from a different perspective. I've found that the plant workers and managers like that I take an interest in what actually goes on in the shop and they even respect me a little more because I can converse with them about the materials as well as the machines.
     Walking the plant with a manager gives you time to check out all of the storage areas and take note of inventory. When you actually see the size of the storage areas and the materials on hand, you can visualize when you're buying to help you determine quantities to buy. It also offers the opportunity for the plant manager to talk to you about any issues. As I noted earlier, it's good to build relationships because that builds others' confidence in you as a team member.
   
     So, get up out of that chair! Do some shop time everyday.
   
   

The A, “Be”, C’s to Achieving Success as a Woman in a Male Dominated Environment

As James Brown says, “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,”, or at least manufacturing facilities are. I am the buyer for a highway safety equipment manufacturing company and I am physically located at one of the manufacturing facilities. I’m surrounded by steel, steel and more steel and men! Let me just say that I never would have pictured myself in this environment. I am 100% girly girl, so it has been challenging. But it’s a challenge I took on head first. I’ve had to learn to adapt and well, actually, I’m still learning. If you’re a woman working at a manufacturing facility, here are some things that might help you fit in.

1.      Be yourself. I think the men actually appreciate having a woman to joke around with. There is no need to try to act like a guy. There are plenty of those around!

2.      Be competent. Nothing gains respect quicker than showing that you know how to do your job well.

3.      Be physically fit. This one is not a deal breaker, but I’ve found that it’s important to be able to go out into the shop and walk the plant without getting out of breath. The guys are out there all the time, so it shows that you can keep up with them.

4.      Be a women’s warrior. Support the other women that you work with. Don’t gossip about them. After all, you’re all in the same boat.

5.      Be strong. By this I mean emotionally and mentally. Men can sometimes make comments that are not intended to hurt, but do. So don’t take things personally.