« August 2008 | Main | October 2008 »

September 30, 2008

Shoring up Supply Chain Security

Supply chain security breaches can damage brands, break down partnerships and, ultimately, hurt the bottom line. When creating a security framework, consider the following key areas to minimize supply chain risk.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

How Vulnerable are Our Ports and Cargo?

How secure is today's cargo and the ports where it's offloaded? Here we reassess two key programs meant to help protect against threats shipped to the U.S.

Read more... | Comments (4) | TrackBack

8 Safety Blunders

Let's face it, we make lots of mistakes. Sometimes they're funny, sometimes they're tragic, sometimes they're downright unbelievable. Contributor Brian Lane resurfaces some of these safety/security blunders.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

U.S. Workplace Deaths Hit Historic Low

Workplace deaths in the U.S. last year fell to the lowest level on record. Still, a new federal report shows some alarming results, not the least of which is that workplace homicides rose 13 percent in 2007.

Read more... | Comments (3) | TrackBack

The Poison's in the Packaging

People have long relied on packaging to protect and preserve product integrity. But what if the threat comes from the packaging itself? A chemical used in some bottles has lately been causing a stir due its link to potential health dangers.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Where the Candidates Stand on Social Security

Forget flag lapel pins or lipstick on pigs — let's tackle one of the real issues in the run-up to the presidential elections. Here's a primer on where McCain and Obama stand on Social Security and Medicare reform.

Read more... | Comments (6) | TrackBack

Safeguard Yourself Against Cyber Threats

With so many ways for people to conduct their lives on the Internet — from banking to social networking — a mass of personal information ends up online. Much of this is susceptible to pilfering by cyber criminals.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Outsmarting Tech-Savvy Criminals

In an age of high-tech scams and identity theft, the market for biometric protection and electronic verification devices continues to expand. Will these technologies become the standard for commercial and personal safety?

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Recommended Reading

We are living in arguably the most reckless financial environment in recent history. The Trillion Dollar Meltdown, released in March, explains how we got here and what is about to happen.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 29, 2008

Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: Congressional Leaders Put Finishing Touches on $700 Billion Bailout

Huge Slowdowns Continue to Materialize: Durable Goods Orders Fall Further, Eurozone Flirts with Recession, Ike and Gustav Bump up Unemployment, Congress Approves $25 Billion Auto Industry Loans, WTO Director Warns Against Protectionism and MORE. *Updated*

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 26, 2008

Light Friday: Exactly How Much is $700 Billion?

Here we break down the proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street and put that value into context with Bill Gates, Tata Nanos, Florida's GDP and Fun Dip. Also in today's Light Friday: Brilliant But Lazy Ideas, a 20,000-Year-Old Pothole, a Swiss Jetman Crosses the English Channel and MORE.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 25, 2008

Coal Demand Projected to Increase

Despite all the attention paid to cleaner, alternative energies, coal is still going strong. In fact, the demand for the "dark fuel" is rising faster than the supply, according to recent reports.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 24, 2008

China: Milk Now Safe, Reputation Still Damaged

The recent tainted milk scandal deals a crippling blow to the Chinese product safety system as its citizens and people abroad doubt the safety of Chinese goods.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 23, 2008

Manufacturers Strive to Keep Innovation Alive

With the current financial crisis driving the U.S. economy into a deeper hole, it's relatively comforting to see that manufacturers are still keeping their eye on the big prize: innovation.

Read more... | Comments (3) | TrackBack

September 22, 2008

Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: On the Big Bailout, Anti-Offshoring Backlash and the Rebuilt Minnesota Bridge...

...Plus Federal Aid to Detroit, the GM Centennial, the U.S.-Canada Trade Deficit, Jobless Claims and MORE.

Read more... | Comments (5) | TrackBack

September 19, 2008

Light Friday: Head-Tilt Smileys and High-Tech Packaging...

...Water Droplets in Zero Gravity and MORE.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 18, 2008

U.S. Leading Economic Indicators Fall in August

The index of U.S. leading economic indicators fell more than forecast last month, reflecting a dim outlook even before this week's collapse in financial markets.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 17, 2008

Wall Street Disaster Shakes Small Businesses

The collapse of investment giant Lehman Brothers Holdings, Merrill Lynch & Co.'s sale and American International Group's crumbling business hits "Main Street." Small businesses are not immune to the crunch big businesses are facing.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 16, 2008

Manufacturing Machinery Demand Remains Strong

As technological advances continue to make machinery more efficient and productive, manufacturers continue to invest in equipment — even in a down economy.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

How Healthy is Your Shop?

Is your plant below average, above or stuck in the same boat as your competition? Gauge how "healthy" your machine shop is based on these six wellness indicators.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

8 Machines that Shaped Our World

Where would we be today without refrigeration? Or without the computer? Here we take a look at just a few machines that influenced the world as we know it.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Arrange the Floor for Flexibility

With rising costs and demands, it is more important than ever for manufacturers to have an efficient production facility. Having the right equipment arranged properly can increase productivity and cut costs.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

CAD Tips, Tricks and Resources

The one tip that covers the wide array of today's CAD software is knowing where to look when you need an answer. Here we've listed a few places to get you started as well as some techniques and features for AutoCAD and SolidWorks.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Explore the Hotel of Tomorrow

Imagine a hotel that can expand or collapse based on the number of guests. This may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but as contributor Susannah Nevison discusses, the H.O.T. project could make it reality.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Dr. Robot and the Virtual Brain

New 3D brain mapping technology and automated surgery systems are distancing the doctor from the operating room. Will these advances translate into greater efficiency and more consistent results?

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Desk Rage On the Rise

Many people in today's workplace sense they are losing ground economically, socially and professionally. This compounds the feeling and impact of anxiety, stress and anger in the workplace, or "desk rage" as it's come to be called.

Read more... | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Recommended Reading

In Designing Interactions, author Bill Moggridge introduces readers to 40 influential designers who have shaped our interaction with technology. The book comes with a DVD that contains segments from interviews with all the innovators discussed in the book.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 15, 2008

Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: Devastating Weekend Storms...

... Hit the Gulf Coast and Wall Street. Also in this Week's Roundup of Last Week's Developments: EU Growth Forecasts, China's Industrial Output, U.S. Wholesale Prices and More.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 12, 2008

IMTS 2008: The "Rosetta Stone" of Interoperability and More

More than 90,000 attendees from 119 countries have assembled in Chicago to be privy to pretty much every type of manufacturing machine and technology being used on today's shop floor. Here are some highlights.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 11, 2008

Thursday Construction, Ignition and Destruction...

...Plus Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld Buy Shoes. It's "Light Friday" on Thursday!

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 10, 2008

August Small Business Employment Up 20,000

In today's down economy, here's a surprise: small business owners report a positive outlook for the next six months. This optimism may be fueled by resilience against job losses in comparison to larger companies, which often turn quickly to layoffs during hard times.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 9, 2008

2009 Health Care Costs to Increase the Lowest in Years

Recent studies predict health care costs rising to nearly 10 percent in 2009, but employers are finding ways to facilitate the growth by passing some of the cost to employees, offering alternative health plans and adding wellness programs.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 8, 2008

Weekly Industry Crib Sheet: Drama at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Boeing and the Detroit Three

A lot's happened in the past week: a Massive Government Bailout, Detroit's $50 Billion Request, Major Monthly Job Losses, a Labor Union Soap Opera and much more. Things are getting rough out there.

Read more... | Comments (4) | TrackBack

September 5, 2008

Light Friday: 2008 Best Lemonade Stand in America...

... a Robot and its Helicopter Stunts, Store Workers on Cheeky Protest, Your Frizz Forecast and MORE.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 4, 2008

Cash in on Federal Year-End Spending

As the clock ticks down to the end of federal government's fiscal year 2008 — Sept. 30 — all 1,300 federal agencies will be on something of a year-end spending spree. Is your business ready to get in on the action?

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 3, 2008

Manufacturing Sector Continued to Contract in August

The manufacturing sector in the U.S. dipped slightly in August, reaffirming the trend toward negligible growth. Manufacturers are keeping afloat through an increase of new orders, especially from abroad.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 2, 2008

The State of the Workforce by the Numbers

Labor Day was meant to celebrate the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of this nation. Beyond the barbeque, here's a look at the who, what, where and how of the U.S. workforce.

Read more... | Comments (3) | TrackBack

How Professional Groups Can Boost Your Career

Trade associations and professional networking groups can expand your influence and gain you invaluable resources for advancing your career.

Read more... | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Survival Guide: Recession-Resistant Jobs

No job may be recession-proof, yet even in uncertain times, some sectors and professions are expected to remain strong. Moreover, there are some things you can do to keep your job as safe as possible.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Burning Question

What's been the biggest challenge of your career so far?

Read more... | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Interview Mistakes on Both Sides of the Table

A job interview is a two-way road. Interviewers and interviewees should avoid committing the following mistakes to help make the hiring process a less painful experience.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Overworked or Burned Out?

Does workweek dread begin for you early Sunday? Do visions of the upcoming weekend help you make it through Monday? These could be signs that you're overworked and overstressed — or they could be signs of a bigger problem.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

The Pay's O.K. but the Perks are Great

In lieu of giving raises, some companies faced with tighter budgets are busy figuring out alternative ways to compensate hard-working employees — from shortened workweeks and additional paid time off to more nontraditional benefits.

Read more... | Comments (1) | TrackBack

When Competition Goes Too Far

Workplace competition is healthy — sometimes. When it leads to rivalry, the results can be toxic. Here we look at a few tactics for dealing with backstabbing colleagues and hostile work environments.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Dealing with Offshoring Growing Pains

Although offshoring has evolved into a mature industry, companies continue to contend with certain aggravations, including time differences, communication barriers and high turnover rates.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Recommended Reading

Many companies have learned in recent years that personalizing the customer experience is good for business. In Mass Career Customization, the authors argue to extend this profitable concept to the workplace.

Read more... | Comments (0) | TrackBack