Manufacture Smarter Blog

7/31/2015 - THE CENTER
Most companies have great ideas. The challenge is deciding what to do with them. How can we get over the hurdles, speed up the implementation and turn these ideas into cash, whether it be from revenue or cost savings? Stepping outside the box and trying something new can prove difficult because of FEAR.

12/5/2014 - THE CENTER
If you’re the smaller guy in the locker room of U.S. manufacturing, you have nothing to be ashamed about. In fact, you should embrace your size because bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better in the world of manufacturing. Here are five ways that smaller Michigan manufacturers can stay toe to toe with the big guys in town.

7/11/2014 - THE CENTER
Have you noticed that Michigan manufacturing has been in the news? U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker recently named Southeast Michigan as one of the nation’s top “manufacturing communities.” The region will receive assistance to attract global organizations into the area. And just this week, Industry Week named Michigan in its list of the Top 10 U.S. Manufacturing Hubs.

12/20/2013 - THE CENTER
​Can you believe it’s already the end of 2013? It seemed like just yesterday that we were making resolutions for this year. You know them…lose some weight…take up a new hobby… waste less time at work…spend some more time with family and friends...

11/1/2013 - THE CENTER
In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the importance of growth. In 2014, it will be critical for Michigan’s manufacturers to focus on growth initiatives… developing or improving products, increasing productivity and competing in new markets.

7/5/2013 - THE CENTER
​Yesterday, we celebrated one of the best holidays in our country… the Fourth of July! We stuffed our faces with burgers and macaroni salad, played some horseshoes and joined with our family and friends to celebrate all the things that make the U.S so great!

5/31/2013 - THE CENTER
This week marks the 2013 Detroit Regional Chamber’s Annual Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Each summer, the Wednesday following the Memorial Day holiday, business leaders from around the globe descend on the Grand Hotel to help shape the future of Detroit and to discuss topics ranging from job creation to regional transportation and the key reforms needed for Michigan.

3/1/2013 - THE CENTER
Most of the time implementing a growth strategy feels like trying to sail upwind.  You try growing in your current market and the gale forces are strong competition – often your salespeople say “The only way we can win more business is to get more aggressive on quoting.”  So you aim instead for new markets.

2/11/2013 - THE CENTER
When you make operational changes to either become more efficient or to grow, it’s just as important that your team understands and embraces the importance of the changes. It’s also critical that employees have buy-in from the beginning of your planned improvements.