When manufacturers think of social media, LinkedIn and Facebook are probably the first two that come to mind. As a video platform, they may feel YouTube is better suited to funny cat videos. That may have been true in the early days of YouTube, but now it’s more social and influential than ever be

It may seem hard to believe, but in terms of technology, social media is still just a baby. Connecting with others via online social sites gained momentum less than 20 years ago with the arrival of sites like MySpace. Today, social media is a phenomenon, and Americans spend more than 215 weekly mi

  Are supply chain management and logistics the 21st century’s answer to George Gershwin’s famous lyrics “to-mayto, to-mah-to”? Today, many manufacturers treat the words as one in the same, and often use them interchangeably. Complicating matters further, what is considered supply chain manag

In 2005, the Council of Logistics Management changed its name to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals to add differentiation between logistics and supply chain management. Why? Because logistics is a component of supply chain management (SCM). While SCM is focused on the “big pictu

Help is out there, you just need to know where to look. Each year, billions in funding for research and development and workforce initiatives is available for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in order to help them get off the ground or aid in expansion efforts. Here are eight orga

Is your company “liked”? The question may sound silly, but the reality is that companies making themselves available online and through social media are the ones most likely to succeed. It’s no secret that television and radio commercials aren’t as effective as they once were, and print advertis

Manufacturers are continuously working to improve safety within their facilities, and their efforts are paying off.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number of manufacturing injuries have improved considerably over the years, from seven injury cases per 100 people in 2003

Supply chain management has long been used to reduce costs, improve efficiencies, and increase customer satisfaction. Today, many companies even believe that a lot of competition within the manufacturing sector is not just about who has the greater product or better brand, but who has the best sup

Exporting is big business in California—$171.9 billion last year alone. The Golden State currently exports to nearly 230 foreign markets, with our neighbors Mexico and Canada placing #1 and #2 respectively. So what’s keeping your Company from taking advantage of global trade? While exporting may

The changing face of the American worker has manufacturers considering the importance of diversity. Today, California is the most diverse state within the contiguous United States (only Hawaii has more diversity). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics and Latinos take the top spot in the

From creating the first machine tools during the Industrial Revolution to welcoming robots onto factory floors in the early 1960’s, manufacturers can be quick to adopt new technologies. They are employing more advanced robotics, embracing 3D printing, and more. Now, another technology has captured

Social media. Love it or hate it, there’s no denying its power. Today, nearly 210 million Americans engage in social media communities, from Facebook to LinkedIn, Twitter to YouTube. In California alone, there are nearly 30 million active social media users—that’s nearly 80% of the state’s po

Many consider 2017 the worst year ever” for data breaches and cyberattacks, largely due to the rise in ransomware. And IT experts predict it’s only going to get worse. According to the Online Trust Alliance (OTA), a non-profit that works to develop tools and best practices that enhance internet s

Dark, dirty, dangerous. Unfortunately, this outdated perception of manufacturing persists to this day, and it can keep away new talent. By 2025, nearly 25 percent of the United States population is expected to be aged 60 or older, meaning many manufacturing workers will be leaving the factory flo

The tweet. These days, it seems that when you hear about Twitter it’s usually because a celebrity, politician, or even virtual nobody has posted an online faux-pas, resulting in a swift backlash that causes a public apology at best and career suicide at worst. Knowing the destructive powers of th

2017 had its share of ups and downs, challenges and opportunities. But for many manufacturers, it was another banner year. In California, the manufacturing sector continues to drive the economy. Manufacturing now accounts for nearly 11.5 percent of The Golden State’s total output, while employing

For manufacturers throughout California and across the country, the new year brings new challenges—and a wealth of new opportunities. But to take advantage of these opportunities, manufacturers of all sizes need to be aware of emerging trends—and willing to adapt to them. From the widespread acce

Bolstered by manufacturing wins in 2017, many California manufacturers are welcoming the new year as a chance to further improve their fortune while fostering growth that benefits both American manufacturers and consumers. But before we look forward, it’s important to reflect upon some of 2017’s

California’s manufacturing industry has traditionally been vibrant, with the state having the largest manufacturing output in the U.S. It is host to giant firms such as Apple, McKesson, Chevron, Alphabet, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, and Cisco Systems, but it is also home to tens of thousands of small

The employee performance review. It’s an opportunity to congratulate workers on a job well done and celebrate their wins. It’s also a chance to provide constructive criticism and discuss ways to improve performance. But what makes for an effective employee performance review? And, if pay raises