As a manufacturer, you don’t want workers; you want company ambassadors. Workers are individuals who show up and get their tasks done. Company ambassadors are a team of employees who are enthusiastic about their careers, and they are inspired and empowered to proactively help your business grow.

Company ambassadors are innovative and confident in their ability to achieve excellence. They serve as cheerleaders for your company to the outside public. You can guide your workers into becoming company ambassadors through workforce development initiatives.

Sometimes, small and midsized manufacturers don’t believe they have the resources for these types of efforts. “I don’t have the money and manpower to give everyone a raise,” goes the thinking. But workforce development isn’t about raises and bonuses; it’s about helping your employees become greater, and cultivating a positive emotional connection between your staff and the organization. Carroll Thomas, director for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, recently captured the thought best in a blog post by saying, “Manufacturing is about putting people first.”

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