Facility Rockstars | Fostering Growth and Overcoming Challenges - Tim Roemer - Facility Rockstars

Fostering Growth and Overcoming Challenges - Tim Roemer - Facility Rockstars - Episode # 022

August 8, 2024 / 37:28/E22

In this episode of Facility Rockstars, host Jay Culbert interviews Tim Romer, a manufacturing engineering manager with over 13 years of experience. Tim reveals his key takeaway from his career: the vital role of continuous improvement and lifelong learning. He stresses the importance of tackling weaknesses, leveraging strengths, and seeking guidance from mentors. Tim also talks about the benefits of avoiding organizational silos and building trust across departments. Drawing on his extensive background in research and teaching, Tim underscores the value of problem-solving, effective onboarding, and using lean tools like Six Sigma and Kaizen events to boost workplace productivity and quality.

Takeaways:

Embrace Continuous Improvement: Ensure that you and your team are constantly learning and improving. Encourage a culture of asking questions, seeking answers, and never leaving any rock unturned. This approach not only addresses weaknesses but also builds individual and team strengths.
Build Strong Relationships: Invest time in building trust and strong relationships within your team and across departments. Breaking down silos and fostering collaboration can enhance productivity and job satisfaction. Trust and communication are key.
Find and Be a Mentor: Seek out mentors who can challenge and inspire you. Equally, be willing to mentor others to cultivate new leaders. Mentorship should naturally develop from strong working relationships rather than be formally assigned.
Promote Open Communication: Create opportunities for open dialogue, such as inviting members from other departments to your meetings and participating in theirs. This transparency helps in understanding cross-functional challenges and building trust.
Apply Structured Problem Solving: Utilize industry tools like Six Sigma, DMAIC, A3s, and Kaizen events to solve problems efficiently. These methodologies can be applied to both technical issues and people management, ensuring data-driven decision-making.
Invest in Training: Take advantage of training grants and funds to upskill your employees. Regularly poll your team to understand their training needs and invest in areas that benefit both individual growth and organizational success.
Onboard with Mentorship: Pair new hires with experienced employees for a smooth transition. Include interactions with all relevant departments to fast-track integration and provide a clear, documented structure of their responsibilities to guide their progress.

Quote of the Show:

“Focus on self-improvement, both personally and professionally. You can achieve this by reading books, listening to podcasts, and building relationships that push you to become a better person. Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge you to improve every day.”

Links: