Leveraging peer relationships: People & Companies

As we climb out of the winter grind, we’ve all had our share of weighty issues to manage. The longer days are a welcome sign we’ll be able to capture some sunshine and vitamin D after work!

Fortunately, business has been better for most machine shops, but proficient management is still a necessity to succeed in this minefield of a global economy. A machine shop can be a handful and staying focused and motivated can be mentally draining on a manager or owner. Issues like cash flow, employee drama, equipment maintenance, taxes, safety, quality programs and bad customer drawings make this not exactly a 9-to-5 cubicle job.

Maintaining confidence and professionalism through all this is critical and your mental toughness will be tested. One way to stay inspired is to maintain a network of peers and leverage opportunities to discuss and vent about these issues. This group may or may not include fellow machine shop managers, but should be an assortment of professionals with unique perspectives.

During the winter, it’s easy to become immersed in your shop bubble, barely aware of anything outside. You can be so busy managing others that you forget your own motivational needs.