People, Process, Progress

Marion Wells, founder of Human Asset Management (HAM) and a member of MMT’s EAB, shares her top article picks. Source: Human Asset Management

I’ve worked with Marion Wells, founder of Human Asset Management (HAM), since 2018 to address the skilled labor shortage and help mold builders prepare their teams for the future. A Predictive Index-certified talent specialist, Marion has served on MMT’s editorial advisory board since 2019. Through HAM, she applies science-based tools to align people and business strategies, helping manufacturers improve hiring, team development and overall performance. She often speaks at industry events about building stronger workforce cultures. Marion is known for her practical approach to solving talent challenges and supporting companies in making better people decisions.

Here, she continues this year’s EAB series by sharing her five favorite MoldMaking Technology articles from the past year, along with key takeaways that have been valuable to her work.

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1 Hands-on Workshop Teaches Mold Maintenance Process

Intensive workshop teaches the process of mold maintenance to help put an end to the firefighting culture of many toolrooms.

The article champions a shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive prevention, leading to a more efficient, cost-effective and less stressful manufacturing environment. This makes it a highly relevant and beneficial read for anyone involved in mold management and production.

A "hands-on workshop" indicates practical, applicable learning. The article highlights the importance of proper training. Training is more effective than theoretical discussions. Highlighting that by moving away from a firefighting culture, companies can expect less unscheduled downtime, longer mold life, fewer defects, and ultimately, significant cost savings is a benefit everyone can get behind. The article is a great reminder of what to do if you want to shift your culture away from firefighting.    

2 How to Empower Your Team with Leadership and Mentoring

What follows is a Q&A with James Jergens, an MMT EAB member and Owner of Ascend Innovative Mold.

Empowering your team with effective leadership and mentoring isn't just a "nice-to-have"; it's a strategic imperative. It unlocks the full potential of your workforce, drives innovation, improves performance and creates a thriving organizational culture that can sustain long-term success.

This article provides eloquent reasoning behind why effective leadership and mentoring are crucial for organizational success. The discussion highlights what it takes to be a great leader.

James Jergens clearly articulates the steps to successfully implement actionable strategies for any organization that wants to shift its culture.  Understanding how to empower your team with leadership and mentoring is crucial for several reasons, including increasing employee engagement and motivation, enhancing productivity and supporting succession planning and building stronger teams. Results discussed highlight how empowering your team with leadership and mentoring impacts individuals, teams and the organization. This discussion was a great lesson for organizations from a leader’s perspective.

3 Eden Tool and Eden Manufacturing: A Story of Resilience, Growth and

Innovation

This critical parts manufacturer, founded on solid tooling fundamentals, didn’t get derailed with the unexpected passing of the owner because leadership was already building a solid business, not just a good tool shop. Here’s how they managed change incrementally… and they’re not finished yet.

A great story around the value of being resilient! I absolutely love this article because it was a case study on Eden Tool showcasing how being prepared helps to navigate business changes, such as growing too fast, expanding facilities and capabilities. The heart of the story that caught my attention was how Eden chose to rebound after the loss of their founder. The fact that the management transition plan had already been created prior to the loss was a sound strategic decision. Using the plan and getting the workforce aligned around how they were going to embrace the future was a lesson from the article that all organizations can learn from. I love that the Eden leadership team has adopted the following philosophy of “Eden being a place where we can work on the business, not always in the business.”

4 Tackling a Mold Designer Shortage

Survey findings reveal a shortage of skilled mold designers and engineers in the moldmaking community, calling for intervention through educational programs and exploration of training alternatives while seeking input from those who have addressed the issue successfully.

The article caught my attention because it made me aware of the significant challenge the shortage of skilled mold designers will pose to the industry over the next 5 years. The manufacturing industry is focusing on the impact that will occur with the retirement of seasoned workers in the next 5 years. Mold builders must be mindful that the moldmaking industry needs to prioritize targeted education and innovative approaches to address the shortage of skilled mold designers. The article shares actionable steps and a call to action, such as encouraging businesses and educational institutions to collaborate and ensure a sustainable workforce for the future. 

5 Dynamic Tool Corporation – Creating the Team to Move MoldMaking Into the Future

For 40+ years, Dynamic Tool Corp. has offered precision tooling, emphasizing education, mentoring and innovation. The company is committed to excellence, integrity, safety and customer service, as well as inspiring growth and quality in manufacturing.

This article does a great job of sharing the story behind MoldMaking Technology’s 2024 Leadtime Leader winner. When I read the article, I immediately thought of the phrase “leading by example.” This is a great article that provides a roadmap for what organizations should do to become leaders in the industry. Being a workforce enthusiast, I agree with the focus of emphasizing education, mentoring and innovation.