Michiana Global Mold’s Director of Business Development Shares Three Favorite People-Focused Articles

This year, Christina Fuges tasked MMT’s Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) with sharing their personality through new profile photos, where they like to read MMT, their three favorite MoldMaking Technology articles of all time and how this content has been valuable to their work. They’ve also been asked to provide an essential excerpt from each article and how they applied it to some aspect of the business.

Kelly Kasner, director of sales and marketing for Michiana Global Mold, kicks off this special series:

1. June 2021 issue - Workforce Development section - “30 Under 30 Honors Program: Mentoring in the Next-Generation of Moldmaking Professionals”

This is my top article of the year because, as a “manufacturing enthusiast,” I love connecting with young individuals who chose a career in our industry and are thriving with companies who believe and invest in them. “Six years ago, Nick started at YakAttack as an entry-level manufacturing employee with no engineering experience. Nick was rapidly conquering a steep learning curve in less than two years. Finally, four years ago, Nick fully transitioned into engineering. Within a year, he assumed the position of engineering manager.”

I share these stories with others considering a manufacturing career path but are hesitant about qualifications, experience or opportunities. Success stories such as Nick’s, and all of the 30-Under-30 honorees, exemplify what interest and aptitude matched up with the right company will produce. There’s no shortage of opportunities, and I’m excited to help be a matchmaker in my community.

2. September 2021 issue - Workforce Development/Training section - “How the Coronavirus Transformed Training”

I’ve frequently been quoted as saying that if anything positive came out of this pandemic, it was the year businesses “woke up.” We figured out how to do more with less, how to build things we’ve never built, do things we’ve never done and value people more than we ever have. One value-added aspect of people is in the area of workforce development, particularly training. For new hires and upskilling tenured employees, the value of a team has never been more critical than now.

“The evolution of training will include virtual training, so it is important to conduct it effectively and properly.” This is great news for what was once considered second-rate compared to traditional in-person classroom instruction. Online-based training programs have become more popular out of necessity, which also resulted in them naturally improving content. In addition, the increase in “anytime-anyplace” accessibility draws a larger audience of those who may have opted out otherwise. I have educated many companies on specific online platforms with positive results with their workforce.

3. August 2021 issue - EAB Insight - “Global Perspective on Next-Generation Mold Engineers”

Not that I’m a fan of “misery loves company,” but to know that the U.S. shares the same concerns as other countries for the future of the mold manufacturing industry is eye-opening. In addition, reading Davide Masato’s insight on recruitment and training sparks frequent conversations I am having. For example, do we have a skilled talent problem or an industry problem?

“Customized training and mentoring are necessary because the more that is invested in the new hires, the more companies can get back from them.” Our skilled workforce is not out there walking the street: We as an industry have to create them. I’m applying this within our company as we continue to build our apprenticeship program and equip our seasoned toolmakers as positive mentors.