PP-OEM: How would you describe your role?
I have been at Schneider Packaging Equipment for a while so when new hires come in, they are working under me. In that position, you naturally end up being a trainer and mentor. So I spend time mentoring while also performing project development and standardization. I know how important it is to take the time to spend with a new hire, even though it does not always make my day easier. But in the long run, it’s really going to pay off. If new hires don’t feel that the company is taking an interest in them, they will go somewhere where they are valued. We’re investing in our future by investing in our people. We are trying to gain the tools that we—the companies—need to be able to get these people and create a strong workforce. That’s a huge trending problem: how we get and keep good people. We are pushing for real growth of the people here at Schneider and to grow the business.
PP-OEM: How did the Emerging Leaders Network get started?
I think they have looked around the room with each other and realized “We have got a lot of old blood here. What are we going to do to make sure that there is new blood in the future, not only with PMMI but even within the industry?” So, they decided to put together something. Our committee’s mission statement became to really more or less engage professionals within the industry. We want to make sure that there is an upcoming crop of professionals that stay involved not only with their own companies, but within the industry. From there, the network was developed. The network is essentially an extension of the committee. We are putting together networking events and training programs to engage PMMI members and young professionals within the packaging industry. The network is really just a platform to share ideas and pains, any solutions and things like that.
PP-OEM: What is the Emerging Leaders Network?
It is real opportunity for anyone who wants to grow personally and within the industry, through networking and engaging with other members. One person can bring an issue to the table, but also has the opportunity to learn and take something away as well. Networking with other members not only shows me that most of the issues that I see are common amongst my peers as well, but it really helps us to open up to each other and share solutions. Many of us in the Network are competing directly with each other’s business. However, once we all get a room, we start sharing these pains and we say, “I have that problem too. What did you do to solve it? What did or didn’t work for you?”
PP-OEM: What has been your biggest takeaway from your involvement with the Emerging Leaders?
It’s definitely given me more of a big picture view rather than just coming to work and doing my day-to-day activities to build equipment. I am networking with owners and CEOs of companies and able to talk with them about the issues they face and how it really affects the big picture for all of us, not only for the company, but for the whole industry. On a personal level, I think for everybody on the committee has a great opportunity to see the bigger picture and know how we can affect it, and what we should do and shouldn’t do in the future to make it better.
PP-OEM: Why is it important to network with peers?
Seeing that other people are sharing the same pains and also sharing the solutions is a great way to learn from. It’s also a great way to network, meet other people within the industry. Within this industry, a lot of our equipment complements each other’s, so by making those contacts, a lot of times, you might be faced with a problem that your company doesn’t have a solution for. You can make a contact within another company that does and maybe even get to a work project together.
PP-OEM: What are some of issues facing this industry?
Finding, training, and retaining a strong workforce. I think that is key. This industry is strong and we want to make sure that the upcoming workforce is aware and interested in it. Finding people is always difficult. Training is becoming even more difficult now as technology grows and changes. Keeping people trained on that is huge. Retention is becoming harder as well. For the incoming workforce’s generation, the thought of going to work for company till you retire? That is just unheard of.
PP-OEM: What is some advice you wish you had when you started in this industry?
Be adaptive and be prepared for change because as you enter the workforce, it may not be what you thought it was going to be. Once you do enter the workforce, the field you are in could quickly change. This industry is quickly changing and you have to do the best you can to be ready for it, give it your best, and go with it.
For more information on how to join the Emerging Leaders Network, visit Pmmi.org/emergingleaders or email Julie Ackerman Montross, [email protected]
