Merit Brass Company’s Post

Kevin appreciation day!! At a recent The Alternative Board (Worldwide) meeting, which I have been a part of for about 4 years now, I asked a question to the board. "What has been the single biggest thing you have done in your business that created the most success?". This was followed by a cunning first question from Stewart Cameron. "What is the single biggest thing YOU have done in your business that created the most success?". In case you aren't paying attention and haven't realised from the picture, the clearly obvious answer... The Answer is: Bringing Kevin Walker into the business as our employee no.1 and Head of Operations (at the time, head of his department of one). What followed was unbelievable. Within 12 months Kevin had brought on our now biggest client. They came looking for him after his previous employer (who made him redundant), closed the depot and moved the office to Holland, then refused to update them when they needed. Since then, that client has continued to increase the work they give us every year, most recently awarding us more weekly Full Loads from Germany to the UK on a 12-month contract. I approached Kevin when one of our suppliers made him redundant because of the level of service I had received from him. Kevin plainly told me "I don't do sales, I won't bring any business in, but I can do your operations.". He didn't realise he would be our best salesman without even trying. The lesson I learned from this : The value of good operations staff who are liked and approachable can't be overstated. People buy from people they like, they don't just buy from salespeople. Thank you for everything so far Kevin. Here's to the next 10 years. P.S - this is obviously public and for LinkedIn, but I also tell Kevin frequently, "If I could clone him I would!". #haulage #containerhaulage #FMCG

EisnerAmper's Travis Epp and Leader of the firm’s Manufacturing and Distribution Group, is joined by Bob Cohen, President of the Acme Box Company, to discuss some of the challenges faced by the manufacturing industry, including automation, labor supply, adapting to increasing wages and employment costs, and lessons learned from the pandemic. Watch this informative Solution Session here:

Please, join my colleague Andy Elson and I on February 29th for a free online event hosted by the Department for Business and Trade and Blue Link Worldwide. If you're considering the United States as part of your expansion strategy, this webinar will highlight the elements to consider as you make that next step, with a focus on Texas. The US is the UK's largest export market for goods and services and the world's largest economy. Partnering with Global Expansion can give UK-based companies a soft landing pad as they make their expansion into the states, whether that's with your first few employees, to support your current footprint or continued growth, M&A activity or looking to streamline employment support under one roof. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ghB9BK4s Lynn Shaw Priscilla Gabrielle Duran Dr Frank Levene Thomas Thorelli Conor Kirkland Amanda Brunyee MIEx Cardinal Global Logistics Sonia Kanjee, CPA Stacie Groce CRP, GMS Meredith Morris SHRM-CP, CRP, GMS James AJ Peters Jessica Marcinko #USexpansion #NorthernPowerhouse #texas #bluelinkworldwide #globalexpansion

For my sales friends out there, Korn Ferry has some great insight on evaluating your team's compensation philosophy. Learn the art and science behind setting sales market pay rates that can help secure your organization’s competitive edge. #sales #Transformforgrowth #BeMoreThan

Do you want to hear more about How Manufacturing Can Succeed in Today’s Economy? Come see Michael Leigh give the Keynote at the Southwest Virginia Manufacturing Awards Banquet on 10/12. Manufacturing is doing well in today’s economy, but there are challenges with inflation, labor, and interest rates. In this presentation, Mike will share what is happening with the economy and the manufacturing industry, and discuss what manufacturers need to do to be competitive and succeed. https://lnkd.in/e3n3NqC6

Fascinating piece on how Next has defied the odds and delivered more than 20 years of business performance. In a world when many formerly successful household retail brands have lost direction, purpose, customers and sales, Next has stayed strong. the RW analysed the reasons behind its continued extraordinary success under Lord Wolfson. https://lnkd.in/e7geqzPF

The manufacturing trade is renowned for high turnover (37%!) Does it come with the territory?🤔 There can often be limited room for growth within a business, it can be hard to keep a team engaged. Plus, if they don't feel valued then they can quickly become frustrated. RED has a seasoned team, boasting an average service length of 12 years - something we think is uncommon in the industry we're in! Don't get us wrong, there have been some blow-ins as well but we've managed to build a solid core team that demonstrates an unparalleled commitment to the values of RED in the work they produce and how they conduct within the team. We've implemented initiatives that have helped us retain the team including: - securing our Investors In People Platinum Accreditation - investing robustly in our people, plant and premises and - incorporating a profit-sharing scheme to increase reward and recognition. The team aren't the type to brag, but we believe in giving credit where it's due! So here's a snippet of some of the team here at RED❤️ #manufacturingpartner #procurment #b2bmanufacturing

At My Network, we take pride in being unlike any other freight forwarders network. Our commitment to boutique excellence transcends mere numbers, as each member is meticulously hand-picked. We believe in curating a community of industry leaders, ensuring that your network is as unique and exceptional as you are. What sets us apart? We embrace the power of customisation. Our platform is designed to empower you, allowing you to shape your journey with a personalised and flexible approach that seamlessly adapts to your unique business needs. Discover a network that embodies true exclusivity. With a limited number of members in each country, My Network isn't just about numbers; it's about being part of something genuinely special. Our network thrives on constant interaction, ownership, and shared enthusiasm. It's more than just a network; it's YOUR network. Your active participation is what makes it extraordinary, ensuring that together, we create a community that stands out in the world of freight forwarding. Join My Network and experience a freight forwarding network that goes beyond the ordinary – where each member is a key player in shaping the future of global logistics. #MyNetwork #FreightForwarding #LogisticsLeadership #ExclusiveCommunity #ActiveParticipation #Customisable #BoutiqueCommunity

𝗗𝗮𝗿𝘄𝗶𝗻 | 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 Members, you are invited to join Mrs. Lia Finocchiaro, MLA, Leader of the Opposition, at a roundtable discussion on challenges and opportunities for businesses in 2024. 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gpXuUGnS Please note that numbers are limited due to space restraints. #smallbusinesses #smallbusinesssupport #chamberofcommerce

Thanks Defiant Solutions LLC for the wonderful networking event yesterday! Thanks Bryan Peña, CCWP Arthur Ransier, CCWP, SPHR Eric Rumbaugh Jeff Nugent Kimberly Simmons, JD Some key takeaway points from one of the roundtables yesterday: #directsourcing #suppliersuccess Direct sourcing involves a company using its own workforce and resources. This can lead to several benefits for the company, such as cost savings, better control over quality and production timelines, greater transparency and traceability in the supply chain, and increased flexibility in responding to market demands. However, for direct sourcing to be successful, it requires a strong collaboration between the company and its suppliers. Here are some key factors that contribute to supplier success in direct sourcing: 1. Clear communication: It is important for the company and the supplier to have clear and open communication channels to discuss expectations, requirements, and feedback. This helps to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that both parties are aligned. 2. Mutual trust and respect: Direct sourcing requires a high level of trust between the company and the supplier. The supplier needs to trust that the company will pay on time and provide consistent demand, while the company needs to trust that the supplier will deliver quality resources on schedule. 3. Strong supplier relationships: Building strong relationships with suppliers is crucial for direct sourcing success. The company should take steps to understand its suppliers' strengths, capabilities, and limitations, and work together to address any issues or challenges that arise. 4. Continuous improvement: Continuous improvement should be a core focus for both the company and the supplier. Regularly reviewing and improving processes, products, and services can help to identify areas for cost savings, quality improvement, and efficiency gains. Overall, direct sourcing can be an effective way to streamline the supply chain and achieve cost savings, but it requires a strong partnership between the company and its suppliers to be successful.