Insight on Manufacturing

March 2014

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14 | /insight on manufacturing • March 2014 w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m W h i l e W o r k i n g o n a floating factory offshore of alaska, a.l. ranen Mclanahan saw firsthand what happens when employees lack crucial so skills, such as good communication, conflict resolution, strategic thinking and personal effectiveness. "i was there with some interesting characters and we really ran into problems with motivation and saw that miscommunication between workers can be costly," says Mclanahan, now an assistant professor of engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley. "i also realized the problems i saw were not unique to a small alaska manufacturer; they are in all workplaces." at experience is behind Mclanahan's initiative to offer customized free workshops and seminars on so skills to manufacturers. Called the Mclanahan Solidarity Project, e d u c at i o n & t r a i n i n g Smart skills uWfox offers free workshops to help employees improve communication, teamwork By MaryBeth Matzek "If people aren't talking, there may be an overlapping of efforts or something may fall through the cracks. In addition, if a workplace is toxic – and it can get that way if people aren't communicating effectively – employees won't be happy and they'll move on." – A.L. Ranen McLanahan, assistant professor of engineering at the University of Wisconsin- Fox Valley

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