“Navigating the Perils of Mass Production,”
is the second edition of the Plant Manager
This practical book that explains how to be effective!
Complete with a comprehensive checklist of "cheat sheets," a practical guide to managing plant problems as they arise. Typical challenges are addressed.
Real-life experiences are drawn on and presented as entertaining yet incisive anecdotes
This book brings together and discusses the management principles which have largely been forgotten as technology has advanced and allowed more and more reliance on computers to do the managing.
The techniques discussed in this book are increasingly important and provide managers with tools to successfully manage modern high-tech Manufacturing Plants.
The "Real Deal" for any aspiring manager in any industry
Discover the major building blocks of a manager’s job: what to be aware of, what can go wrong and practical, time-tested advice on the best way to manage through underlying leadership.
The best operations manager training from an accomplished plant manager.
About the Book
The Plant Manager is a handbook of proven management principles & practices that can be applied to any operation or business.
The fundamental building blocks of the book are:
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Communication — How to optimize communication and get it working allowing people to talk to each
other and listen with respect. -
Team Work — What’s required to build functional teams that take full ownership.
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Problem solving —How to leverage problem solving through ownership.
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Leadership — Understanding that the art of leadership must flow both up and down.
A must-read for any manager in the any industry.
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About the Book
Who should read this book?
This book was written specifically for Potential and Plant Managers;
However:
Owners, Directors, Managers and key staff in manufacturing and other businesses and in support services will all find multiple operational gems here that apply directly to them.
Why this book?
Understanding your bosses and upward management
Appreciating the environment you are operating in
Avoiding the rocks
How to salvage a disaster
Team building, training and building staff loyalty
Check sheets for self benchmarking and guidance
Interesting experiences in various parts of the world and in different cultures
About Euan James
Accomplished plant manager & plant management consultant
Euan joined the South African Navy after leaving school where he completed four years of technical training before going into a naval officer’s training course followed by sea duties. Fourteen years later, he left the South African Navy and started off a new career in the chemical industry. Soon, however, he went on to the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry.
During this time, he worked mainly in beverage industry in various positions. He was the plant manager of four different plants, and when not running a plant, he worked as a consultant. This brought him into contact with plant managers in China, India, and Africa. He is proud to share the managerial skills and experience he has gained in this book.
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How can this book be used for all management?Many of the examples can be used at any level of the business, open communication, awareness, visibility that builds character and integrity of the manager. The spinoff will be recognition and possible fast track movement.
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Why did you write this book?In my last assignment I was asked to train two Plant Managers. Working off a blank sheet, I put a program together that connected the dots. I was appalled at the gaps and have tried to close these in this book to make it easier for those going into this position.
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Why this book? There are so many books on managementThis book is not full of diagrams and telling you what must be done. Instead it is different in telling you through examples of what in all probability is going to happen and guidelines on how to handle these situations. The job must be handled in your own way depending on your operations, no holy grail …it’s a tough job and a massive challenge for anyone who is a plant manager.
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These principles have been taught over and over againFrom my perspective as the writer of the book I am telling you as it is. I am clear about this and you have everything you need to be aware of to be a great plant manager. All you now have to do is put it in place to get things to work. This I not like anything you have ever seen before please read it more than once that’s why I have kept it short and to the point.
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Is this all that needs to be done?No, not in the least. These are general guidelines that put the job into context. Depending on the business you are in as a Plant Manager you have to right size the concepts, tailor them for your operations and make them work.
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What about World Class Manufacturing and Bulletin boards ?Some companies love them, displaying all major KPI’s to everybody. My feeling on these as said in the book are not necessary. Departmentally, yes and reviewed in detail. Monthly KPI reviews with senior management, yes, so that they can be questioned and the respective manager if having good results can show case them and get immediate recognition. Then at Town Hall meetings high lights shared. But NO to massive boards at the entrance other than Safety as its nobody else’s business and this data in the modern digital age is very sensitive …so goodbye boards telling all. I will leave out the time and cost but if implementing them remember this.