Nonwoven Tools Update #46
Training for the production floor
January 17, 2010 - Vol 2, Issue 03
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E-mail Purpose
Definition
Training That Works
RDM Solutions Group Blog
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Greetings!
PictureOfDonSeveral days ago I spoke with an old friend in the nonwovens business.  He mentioned that their maintenance department had been cut from five people to one.  Perhaps, to some degree, you have a similar situation.  Are you overwhelmed by what you are not able to accomplish?

The current test of our management ability is how to meet the needs of production with dwindling resources.  Everything has to be prioritized, and as customer needs shift, priorities constantly change.  We are all in this boat until the economy improves.

More than ever we need to communicate with our employees.  Make sure they receive clear instruction.  Understand their fears of job elimination.  Keep them up to date on what is transpiring in your company  Don't leave them in the dark.  People pull together when they know you care.

Have a great week.

                                  E-mail Don

E-mail Purpose
Nonwoven Tools LLC is dedicated to providing training for production floor employees in the nonwoven industry.  This e-mail is being sent to you to provide you every week with training materials you can use.  Please refer others in your organization to us.  Forward this e-mail to them and remind them to click on the "Join Our Mailing List" link.  Thanks
 
Term Definition - Trim Shredder
Trim ShredderTrim waste is generated in almost every nonwoven plant.  There are many ways to deal with it depending on the type of fabric.  For fabric that can be reopened into individual fibers, a trim shredder is the solution.  
                                 This week's definition

I always recommend that you print the weekly definition on a color printer and place it on the tables in your canteen.  Here is a link to an inexpensive plastic stand that will protect the page from food spills and make it easy to read.
Training That Works
WHERE TO START

When they decide to implement or upgrade a training program people ask me where to start.  The answer is the foundation of not only only training but a good HR program - job descriptions.

1.  Does your company have job descriptions?
2.  Were they written with the collaboration of production floor supervision?
3.  Are they complete and accurate?
4.  Are they reviewed at least yearly?
5.  Do they reflect what the employee does or are they so generic that they are useless?
6.  Are they a tool that supervision can use for training and guidance on the production floor?
7.  Does each employee have an up to date copy?
8.  Are new hires thoroughly taught their job description?
9.  Who introduces new hires to their job description?  Is it HR or production supervision?
10. When supervision speaks to employees about their performance or lack thereof, do they refer to
      their job description?

Job descriptions can be wonderful training and supervisory tools, but many do not take advantage of them. With the start of a new year, why not take time and review your job descriptions?

RDM Solutions Group Blog

Several months ago I mentioned the RDM Solutions Group.  It is composed of eight former KC engineers that started a firm to supply services to primarily the nonwoven industry, but also to other industries.  In November they started a blog.  I am very impressed with their blog and recommend that you take a look at it.  Mike Houston, the primary author, is providing valuable insight.
 
Archives Are Online

I have signed up with my newsletter publisher to make my old newsletters available on the web.  Click the link below to access them.  I have added the link on the "Quick Links" section of the left side of this page.  I am also putting a link on the front page on our web site, NonwovenTools.com to be able to go to the archived newsletters.

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Thanks for supporting Nonwoven Tools LLC.  Don't forget about our other company Omega Engineered Technologies LLC that does needling and needle board repair.
 
Sincerely,
 
Donald Hindman
President and Chief Training Officer
Nonwoven Tools LLC
 
Copyright Nonwoven Tools LLC 2009