Transforming the Auto Supply Chain Workplace Through Engagement, Communication, and Gamification

Auto Supply Chain Prophets

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

Supply chain operators are more likely to ask a superior for help or relay critical information to a colleague if it feels like shooting a text to a pal about where to grab dinner after the game.

Truly connected workforce solutions combine accessibility and accountability by employing familiar tech (like iPads) with real-time performance tracking displayed throughout the workplace.

In this episode of Supply Chain Prophets, Kevin Shayer of Allied Wire & Cable reveals some of the biggest successes and challenges he experienced shaking up the status quo and implementing QAD Redzone, a connected workforce system that ushered in a new culture and exceptional results.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• Attracting newer generations to the manufacturing industry is a critical challenge for supply chain companies vying to stay relevant and secure talent.
• “Industry 5.0” means that companies need to add real value to the employee experience that results in engaging, fulfilling and meaningful work.
• Real-time dialogue between workers, managers, and leadership needs to happen consistently, and across all shifts in the manufacturing industry.
• Implementing connected workforce solutions sometimes means radically changing engrained workflows, which means change management efforts need to be unified and carefully orchestrated.
• Workplaces with high visibility performance tracking dramatically increase overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Featured on this Episode

Name: Kevin Shayer

Title: Vice President Operations and Supply Chain, Allied Wire & Cable

About: Kevin brings over 24 years of supply chain leadership experience to his role at Allied Wire & Cable, where he has helped to revolutionize their processes through implementing connected workforce solutions. Kevin has a background spanning multiple disciplines and a servant leadership style that motivates team members at all levels to achieve tangible results.

Connect: LinkedIn

Episode Highlights

Timestamped inflection points from the show

[3:11] Texting FTW, LOL: Apple TVs displaying progress like a scoreboard, iPads at each station, and the ability to message co-workers at any level in a familiar way all create an environment that encourages authentic participation and meets people where they are.

[4:35] Green bar, gold star, can’t lose: Kevin’s team emphasizes positive reinforcement by celebrating accomplishments through visible stats and addressing issues in real-time.

[9:00] Checkered flags replace carrots: In addition to engagement and communication, Kevin credits the gamification of workflows for incentivizing productivity. “Everybody is competitive — our goal is to help everybody win,” he explains.

[15:47] Collaborating and empowering: Democratizing dialogue with tools and language that Gen Z relates to, utilizing connected workforce solutions, can create a collaborative environment that empowers younger workers.

[19:14] Sprucing up the showroom floor: As prospective clients, potential team members, vendors, and other visitors tour facilities, Kevin explains that the highly visible new tech is an easy selling point to quickly showcase modern processes in a recognizable way.

[21:14] Jumpstarting rusty engines: More than installing accessible tech, Kevin describes their new system as a rallying point for leadership to revolutionize antiquated systems and create almost magical transformations in connectivity, productivity and engagement.

[30:44] The one thing: Adopting state-of-the-industry technology is one thing — getting siloed legacy teams on board during a transitional period of change is a different animal. As Kevin explains, engaging as many people as you can early in the process greatly improves your ability to get everyone rowing in the same direction.

Top quotes

[5:55] Kevin: “I’m half embarrassed to say this, but after implementing the new system we saw productivity improvements of over 100%. I’m very proud of that, and it was all done by challenging the status quo.”

[12:10] Kevin: “Technology enables engagement. People have a voice, management and colleagues are listening to their ideas, and it's leading to positive change out on the plant floor.”

[18:02] Kevin: “At the end of the day, the one group that has won the most with our new connected workforce solution is the customer.”

[19:44] Kevin: “Embracing the new technology and tools has become a part of our program — better yet, it’s in our DNA.”

[32:00] Kevin: “We had some big early wins, which led to a tidal wave of positivity that we rode for a year. Now the challenge has become maintaining that momentum through continuous improvement and engagement.”