‘Essentials’ Training Helps Exporters Win in a Competitive Marketplace

‘Essentials’ Training Helps Exporters Win in a Competitive Marketplace

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the following article are those of the guest author and do not necessarily represent or reflect Mentor Works Ltd. If you don’t know the rules of the game, how can you expect to compete fairly and win? Let’s not kid ourselves, exporting is a very competitive game, played…

Balancing Your Business’ Definition of Success: KPIs and Team Input

Balancing Your Business’ Definition of Success: KPIs and Team Input

I’m a big advocate for metrics and key performance indicator (KPI) driven workflows. I believe in the value of data-driven processes, and have seen first-hand the impact of KPI focused process improvement projects. For many manufacturers, the increased use of software systems that document all of their processes has allowed them to identify even more…

These 3 Factors Will Define the Canadian Manufacturing Sector in 2016

These 3 Factors Will Define the Canadian Manufacturing Sector in 2016

The Canadian manufacturing industry remains cautiously optimistic moving forward in 2016. While some sectors within the manufacturing industry are seeing rapid growth, others are stagnant or contracting due to a variety of economic and labour issues. This type of uncertainty isn’t new to manufacturing executives, but being able to plan ahead and execute growth strategies…

4 Ways Managers Can Make Workplace Training More Valuable

4 Ways Managers Can Make Workplace Training More Valuable

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the following article are those of the guest author and do not represent or reflect Mentor Works Ltd. It’s official that proper business training and development pays off for everyone – employees, employers and companies. Not only does training develop employee skills, it also has been proven to…

Professional Development is Everybody’s Responsibility

Professional Development is Everybody’s Responsibility

Career development is a lifelong process of managing learning, work, leisure, and transitions in order to move toward a personally preferred future. Regardless of your current career level, there is always room for improvement. Traditionally, professional development was the responsibility of employers to ensure their workforce had the right skills. While this is still the…

The 2 Best Ways to Advance your Career with Continuous Learning

The 2 Best Ways to Advance your Career with Continuous Learning

A key way to make yourself more employable, or to move up the corporate ladder, is to ensure that you’re always developing your skillsets through continuous learning. Regardless of the topic or your mastery of the subject, putting out the effort to learn new skills will help show your initiative and ultimately help you achieve…

Cultivate Business Success through Workplace Disciplines

Cultivate Business Success through Workplace Disciplines

Our clients are always teaching us about game-changing behaviours. During the first quarter of 2016, I focused on the disciplines of some businesses and how this helps them to grow and achieve more than their competitors. I recognized that most of the top companies possess effective and highly functioning professional teams with the right skills,…

ISO 9001:2015 Updates: Is Recertification a Worthwhile Investment?

ISO 9001:2015 Updates: Is Recertification a Worthwhile Investment?

Being able to develop a product, service, or business that can be exported to foreign markets provides a sustainable advantage for Canadian firms. Although Canadian businesses are typically known as global leaders for quality products, being certified under an international quality standard will help businesses to engage in additional trade opportunities. For many Canadian businesses,…

Scope Creep: The Unplanned Cost of Complex Projects

Scope Creep: The Unplanned Cost of Complex Projects

Project Management Professionals (PMPs) were once commonly sought out for niche fields such as ICT and construction, but many businesses are beginning to utilize project management and product management standards to help run their business more efficiently. The benefits of utilizing standardized and centralized processes for managing projects goes beyond efficiency gains. Some small businesses,…