01/09/2024
Why would an MD of an SME manufacturing business join a Manufacturers' Alliance peer group?
David Muncaster, Managing Director at has been a member of one of our peer groups for a good few years now and has been a fantastic member right from the start.
๐ He's open minded and always looking for new ideas to improve himself and the business.
๐ He gets stuff done and has implemented loads of new ideas with the team at Heafords.
๐ He's caring and is always there to listen, share ideas and help his fellow peer group members.
๐ He commits 100% and puts his best effort into anything he does.
๐ He's loads of fun and doesn't take life too seriously.
We love having you within our manufacturing community Dave and appreciate you sharing your kind words about the difference the MA makes for you.
Would you like to be part of a peer group with MD's like Dave? Get in touch and learn how we can support you on your leadership journey.
01/09/2024
Why would an MD of an SME manufacturing business join a Manufacturers' Alliance peer group?
David Muncaster, Managing Director at Heaford has been a member of one of our peer groups for a good few years now and has been a fantastic member right from the start.
๐ He's open minded and always looking for new ideas to improve himself and the business.
๐ He gets stuff done and has implemented loads of new ideas with the team at Heafords.
๐ He's caring and is always there to listen, share ideas and help his fellow peer group members.
๐ He commits 100% and puts his best effort into anything he does.
๐ He's loads of fun and doesn't take life too seriously.
We love having you within our manufacturing community Dave and appreciate you sharing your kind words about the difference the MA makes for you.
Would you like to be part of a peer group with MD's like Dave? Get in touch and learn how we can support you on your leadership journey.
30/05/2024
If youโre a leader with big ambitions, youโll need a high-performing team to get you there.
You might be able to spot the opportunity but how do you grab it with both hands?
And where do you start with training and development?
Build the right team around you and develop their skills with help from the Manufacturersโ Alliance. Weโre a community that can support your growth and help to achieve your business goals.
We offer you:
๐ 1-to-1 mentoring
๐ Peer-to-peer coaching
๐ Academy training resources
Get more information about becoming a member of the Manufacturers' Alliance by requesting our brochures: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/contact/
27/05/2024
What makes a good manager in manufacturing?
While technical expertise is crucial, excellent leadership and communication skills set the best managers apart, and these are the skills that drive the best results for their companies.
At the core of effective management is a growth mindset.
Take our quiz to assess your mindset or tag your leadership team in the comments below: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/the-mindset-that-leads-to-high-growth-leadership/
You'll get a score based on your:
๐ Reliance on esteem from others
๐ Attitude to risk
๐ Ability & character
๐ Resilience
๐ Self esteem
23/05/2024
Gary Sheader, MD and Founder of the Manufacturers's Alliance shares how we help manufacturing leaders:
"Modern leadership is about balancing Purpose, People & Profit. At Manufacturers' Alliance, we facilitate this equilibrium, drawing in those passionate about making a difference, nurturing their teams, and driving thriving businesses".
20/05/2024
Did you know that your high performers are 400% more productive than the average employee?*
Attracting, identifying, and nurturing this top talent is pivotal for organisational success.
But all too often, businesses will simply promote these individuals into management and leadership roles, without equipping them with the necessary skills.
This results in a lose-lose situation; the high performers become frustrated, and the business will often lose their best people.
Here are three ways the Manufacturers' Alliance can help you retain and nurture your high performers:
1. Team Leader Development Training: This course focuses on leading with values, sharing knowledge, and optimising team performance: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/academy/team-leader-development-programme/
2. Leadership 360 Review: This helps leadership to understand how they can better support their organisation, whilst identifying their strengths and leadership style. More: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/academy/leadership-360-feedback-review/
3. Peer groups: Foster accountability and skill development within your leadership team by providing a network of peers who can offer support and solutions to complex challenges: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/peer-support-groups/
If you'd like our brochures or a call to discuss how you can nurture your high performers, send our team a message here: [email protected]
(https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/attracting-and-retaining-the-right-talent #:~:text=A%20recent%20study%20of%20more%20than%20600%2C000%20researchers%2C,that%20the%20gap%20rises%20with%20a%20job%E2%80%99s%20complexity
13/05/2024
Imagine 10 business leaders solving your headaches every month.
As a member of the Manufacturers' Alliance peer group, you gain access to a dynamic network who will help you to solve your operational and strategic challenges.
You'll benefit from being part of a community that fosters accountability, ensuring you achieve the goals you've set.
Find out more about trying a peer group here: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/peer-support-groups/
09/05/2024
Ready to unlock your leadership potential?
With mentoring and peer support, new leaders often discover you can lead authentically, leveraging your strengths to steer the business in your own way.
You'll find it's GOOD to diverge from predecessors โ imitation risks losing your identity, especially in family businesses with entrenched legacies.
Here are three ways that you can grow your confidence by understanding your unique leadership style:
Get a Leadership 360 review: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/academy/leadership-360-feedback-review/
Take the leadership growth mindset questionnaire: https://gary-ofcelpsu.scoreapp.com/
Join a peer group for inspiration on elevating the business, mastering new leadership approaches, and maximising team potential: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/peer-support-groups/
07/05/2024
Less than half of employees perceive their company's leadership as high qualityยน.
Lack of confidence in leadership can profoundly affect culture, productivity, and business performance.
So, what proactive steps can you take to address this issue?
Develop leadership skills.
Leadership is a skill that requires cultivation โ it embodies integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience. Getting it right demands dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from both successes and setbacks.
Becoming a great leader in manufacturing is especially challenging due to the unconventional career paths many follow.
Ten tips to help on your journey to become a great manufacturing leader:
1. Discover your unique leadership style: https://gary-ofcelpsu.scoreapp.com/
2. Understand your leadership strengths and weaknesses: www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/academy/leadership-360-feedback-review/
3. Cultivate your 'A-Team' and culture: www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/how-to-create-genuine-trust-in-a-team
4. Create an action plan, and make yourself accountable for delivering results: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/12-common-reasons-your-implementation-plan-is-failing/
5. Learn from the mistakes of others: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/peer-support-groups/
6. Seek guidance from mentors: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/hands-on-support/
7. Read extensively: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/insights-and-articles/
8. Attend events: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/top-5-manufacturing-events-to-attend-in-2024/
9. Enhance your hard skills: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/the-academy/
10. Network and learn from the experiences of peers: https://resources.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/annual-conference
At the Manufacturersโ Alliance, we equip manufacturing leaders with tools, frameworks, and a supportive community to accelerate their journey toward becoming influential, confident, and focused leaders.
Whether through our monthly peer groups or our upcoming annual conference, we provide valuable opportunities for immersion in leadership development.
To learn more about how we can help you and your team, drop us a message or email [email protected]
03/05/2024
Give your future leaders the skills they need to succeed with our Team Leader Development Programme!
Covering essential topics such as self-management, team leadership, stakeholder engagement, and management tools and techniques, this highly-rated programme helps to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence of your rising stars.
By upskilling your team, your business will experience tangible benefits, such as:
๐ Increased profitability and productivity
๐ก Fresh ideas and innovation
๐ Empowered and proactive teams
๐ค Enhanced confidence and cohesion
๐ฑ A culture of continuous improvement and adaptability
Ready to take your team to the next level? Download the course brochure to learn more:
https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/academy/team-leader-development-programme/
02/04/2024
How do you make sustainability more profitable?
Join us on May 15th for our annual conference as we'll hear from Hugo Spowers, founder of Riversimple Movement, who will take you on his fascinating journey from designing racing cars to establishing a sustainable car company.
Hugo will share his development of hydrogen cars and the strategic initiatives required to bring them to market, then delve into the 'usership' model that has helped to turn sustainability into a source of profit, eliminating economic barriers to introducing zero-emission cars. Learn more about the presentation here: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/how-to-make-sustainability-more-profitable-insights-from-hugo-spowers-riversimple/ or if you're ready to be inspired, sign up for the event here: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/events/manufacturers-alliance-annual-conference-2024-the-future-of-uk-manufacturing/
27/03/2024
All consistently high-performing teams are built on a foundation of genuine trust.
Trust forms the foundation for all our most authentic and fulfilling relationships. You cannot build genuine trust in a relationship or team without authenticity, openness, and a genuine desire for collaboration.
Want to pinpoint team trust issues? Try our team trust survey template, available at the bottom of this post: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/how-to-create-genuine-trust-in-a-team/
26/03/2024
Want to enhance your leadership skills? If you're like our alliance members, you're likely eager for knowledge, tips, and opportunities to advance your learning and abilities. Having supported hundreds of manufacturing leaders, our team agrees that the best leaders share a common trait. It's not about possessing all the answers or handling everything independently. Instead, what sets the best leaders apart is their commitment to continuous improvement through a growth mindset. ๐ช
So, what exactly is a growth mindset? It involves a blend of resilience, attitude towards risk, the extent to which you need to seek reassurance from others, how vulnerable you are, and how you approach challenges.
Want to improve your growth mindset skills? Learn your strengths in each growth mindset category by taking our interactive assessment. Following that, you'll receive a personalised breakdown and an action plan to enhance your core growth mindset skills.
Learn more and take the online assessment now:
https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/the-mindset-that-leads-to-high-growth-leadership/
๐
19/03/2024
What do you like to read?
Many successful leaders attribute their success to the habit of reading, emphasising its role in gaining new and actionable ideas. Warren Buffet dedicates 6 hours daily to reading newspapers, Elon Musk invested 10 hours a day in reading before becoming Tesla's CEO, and Bill Gates consistently reads about a book per week.
If you want to read more, sign up for our newsletter as we provide a monthly digest of excellent articles to broaden your perspective and knowledge. https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1AC9F9XB0RgGvMU2dpZviNgf1x3n
Taster of some of the articles below:
๐ฑ What makes a great manufacturing leader? Our team unanimously agrees that the best leaders don't necessarily have all the right answers already, but they consistently embrace this mindset: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/the-mindset-that-leads-to-high-growth-leadership/
๐ Unlock the secrets behind why your growth plan might be stumbling, and discover how our pre-mortem questionnaire template can proactively prevent setbacks: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/12-common-reasons-your-implementation-plan-is-failing/
๐ฅ Jonathan Wurr, an experienced trainer at the Manufacturers' Alliance, reveals how participation in senior leader peer groups kept him accountable and ready for challenges: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/peer-groups-why-ten-heads-are-always-better-than-one/
๐ข Elevate your internal communications with these 10 impactful initiative ideas: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/10-ideas-that-will-breakthrough-the-boundaries-to-effective-workplace-communication/
๐ช Explore the transformative power of vulnerability: After engaging with hundreds of manufacturing leaders, Gary Sheader highlights key traits that define exceptional leadership: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/the-power-of-vulnerability/
๐ค Need support? Learn the art of asking for help and discover the best approach to seeking assistance in your professional journey: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/are-you-too-proud-to-ask-for-help/
15/03/2024
Seeking the truth about how your team perceives you as a leader can be intimidating, yet not knowing what your team truly thinks is even riskier. A crucial step to becoming a more confident and astute leader involves seeking candid feedback from your team.
๐ฃ๏ธ Our 360-Leadership Profile offers a formal, thorough solution, providing actionable insights into your leadership strengths and weaknesses. Here's what you'll get:
๐ฏ 1๏ธโฃ Leadership habit ranking: Uncover your strengths and growth areas from your team's perspective.
๐ 2๏ธโฃ Consistency in team perception: Decode the patterns in how your team perceives your leadership style.
๐ 3๏ธโฃ Insights into whether you're a visionary, results-driven, relationship builder, or a coaching pro. We'll explore your leadership archetype and kickstart actionable steps for growth.
๐ก It's this feedback that's key to improvement and will set you, and your business apart in a world where many leaders shy away from seeking feedback.
Learn more about our 360-Leadership profiling service: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/academy/leadership-360-feedback-review/
Leadership 360 Feedback Review
Leadership 360 Feedback Review Enhance both your personal and team leadership skills through an anonymised 360 leadership review. Become more self-aware and create a step change in your personal development. Direct reports of uninspiring leaders have a 98% probability of being in the bottom 10% on p...
13/03/2024
Want to be inspired by great manufacturing leaders?
We have the event for you!
On 15th May at the Future of Manufacturing conference, Phillippa Glover, who is a member of OMRON's Senior Leadership team, Made Smarter Commissioner, TMX Top 100 Sector Activist, and Industrial Advisory Board member, will be sharing some of the clues left behind by previous industrial pioneers and the possible learning for today's manufacturers.
What drove the people who brought about Britain's industrialisation?
What will drive people to join the UK's re-industrialisation?
And now's the time to secure your spot by just ยฃ195, before our early bird offer ends March 31st: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/events/manufacturers-alliance-annual-conference-2024-the-future-of-uk-manufacturing/
12/03/2024
Are you a kind leader?
Leading with kindness involves more than just being pleasant. But what does it truly entail?
We're thrilled to introduce our keynote speaker for the upcoming annual conference in May, Sir John Timpson, who will delve into the concept of kindness in business and share insights on cultivating a business grounded in this essential core value.
Learn more about Sir John Timpson's unique approach to business, his strategies for building a culture of trust, and details on conference registration here: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/what-being-kind-looks-like-in-business-insights-from-sir-john-timpson/
08/03/2024
Ready to embrace the transformative power of Industry 4.0, but seeking the right financial support?
Join us at our Machinery Manufacturing event on April 3, 2024, in Bolton to explore available funding and grants.
Share your project aspirations and gain valuable insights from expert speakers overseeing funding programs.
Discover effective approaches for securing the necessary support. Register your interest in attending this uplifting and free event here: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/events/machinery-manufacturers-event/
07/03/2024
Are you a manufacturing leader?
Take the Future of Manufacturing Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RQ8PP7L to:
1๏ธโฃ Have your say: Contribute your insights and shape the industry narrative.
2๏ธโฃ Access priority survey results: Gain exclusive access to key findings.
3๏ธโฃ Benchmark and compare: Evaluate your challenges against industry benchmarks.
For every survey completed, we pledge to donate ยฃ1 to Rockit, a Bolton-based charity that supports the well-being of young people by providing opportunities to explore creative skills.
Thank you! ๐
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RQ8PP7L
07/03/2024
Whether you need to change organisational culture, develop growth plans, or enhance your leadership skills, tap into peer-to-peer experiences by joining our leaders' peer group at Cobra in Sheffield on March 27.
Come prepared to be challenged, grow, and learn new ways to solve problems.
Register to join a taster session: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/events/yorkshire-manufacturers-peer-group-meeting-2/
27/02/2024
Ever wondered what makes a brilliant peer group member at the Manufacturers Alliance?
Read about the leaders who inspire by example, not just by title: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/what-does-a-brilliant-peer-group-member-look-like/
What Does a Brilliant Peer Group Member Look Like? โข Manufacturers Alliance
At the Manufacturers Alliance we run a diverse range of peer groups for different levels of leaders and managers in the manufacturing industry. From owners and CEOโs through to emerging leaders just setting out on their journey. They meet 9 times per year for a full day with their own peer groups ...
21/02/2024
Meet Victoria Hopkins, the dynamic Chair and Facilitator of Manufacturersโ Alliance West Yorkshire Peer Group.
In this article, she shares her incredible journey and insights into the thriving world of manufacturing.
๐ Dive into Victoria's story: https://www.manufacturersalliance.co.uk/meet-victoria-hopkins-chair-and-facilitator-of-manufacturers-alliance-west-yorkshire-peer-group/
Victoria Hopkins, Chair of Manufacturers' Alliance West Yorkshire
In this article, we introduce Victoria Hopkins: Chair and Facilitator of Manufacturersโ Alliance West Yorkshire Peer Group.