Straightforward and efficient workflows are an essential part of manufacturing processes. They detail the jobs, who are responsible for them, and the steps required. 

If a workflow in manufacturing is inefficient, it can cause expensive delays.

Let’s look at why and how improving manufacturing workflows increases efficiency, ultimately leading to higher profits. 

What is a manufacturing workflow?

A workflow in manufacturing entails the steps to take to produce a particular product. Each step involves a specific team and tasks that result in a deliverable.

The main stages in a workflow in manufacturing involve:

• Product research.
• Supplier coordination.
• Manufacturing process.
• Quality assurance.
• Shipping logistics.

Most manufacturing workflows will include these phases, but other steps may be involved depending on the manufactured product.

Why does improving manufacturing workflows matter?

It’s essential to improve your manufacturing workflows to minimize profit loss.

Even if you’re producing the exact amount to meet demand, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s as profitable as it can be. In fact, you may be making just enough to keep your business afloat year-on-year.

To truly maximize profits, you must have a manufacturing process that allows for a decent profit margin.

Reducing the time and cost it takes to produce a certain amount of products will increase the profit value of your total output.

So, let’s say a competitor is producing the same total output as your business and selling their product at the same price.

Even if your sales totals match, if your production process is more cost and time-effective than theirs, you’ll be making more money.

Why manufacturing workflows fail (and what to do about it)

There are a few simple reasons why a workflow in manufacturing may fail. Let’s look at some of those problems and their possible solutions.

Poor communication

One of the most common reasons for workflow inadequacies is poor communication.

You can use the best technology and still run into production bottlenecks and inefficiencies without proper communications standards.

The consequences of poor communication include:

• Potential misunderstandings.
• Low team morale.
• Decreased profits.

A solution to this problem is to simplify your communications protocols.

Consider diversifying the ways your team communicates with each other. Heavy reliance on emails may result in cluttered inboxes, and scheduling too many face-to-face meetings can result in wasted time.

Also, consider creating communication templates to speed up written requests, acknowledgments, or other records.

Inadequate planning

Rushing the planning phase without adequate research increases the chances of wasted time, effort, and costs.

It’s important to consider all the factors that play into a workflow in manufacturing before starting production.

A detailed overview of all the moving parts will decrease the chances of encountering a production blindspot.

When drafting up your plan:

1. Make sure you collect as much information as possible.
2. List all your employees, their roles, and what’s expected of them.
3. List all deliverables spanning the entire manufacturing process, such as supplier requirements, manufacturing processes, quality control requirements, etc. 
4. Create a plan for when things go wrong. Because no matter how prepared you are, there is always a risk of delays, miscommunication, and other errors.

Workflow tunnel vision

Workflow managers sometimes only look at positive outcomes. In doing so, planning for possible issues is often overlooked.

Even with short workflows, many problems could arise due to poor communication or inadequate planning.

If a workflow in manufacturing is planned with no room to adapt, it will ultimately collapse. 

Projects don’t always go according to plan, but having an adaptable workflow will minimize delays and ensure the project quickly gets back on track.

Manufacturing workflow obstacles

You can improve inefficient processes by implementing workflow management software.

Before considering a manufacturing workflow software solution, let’s look at some obstacles manufacturers should be aware of.

Poor workflow mapping

The purpose of workflow mapping is to document processes and provide a reference point and an overview of the steps needed to complete a process.

Mapping workflows can take time, but they’re an essential part of the health of a manufacturing company.

Invisible bottlenecks

Bottlenecks in production pipelines aren’t always blatantly obvious. Your current workflow may seem to be performing exactly how it should.

But with adequate research and better attention to detail, you can identify these bottlenecks and reduce the loss of productivity.

It’s crucial to perform routine maintenance checks anyway. This includes checking physical equipment for repairs and less tangible aspects like your communications processes. 

Even if just one part of your workflow in manufacturing is defective, the rest of the process will be affected.

The law of amplification

It’s a common misconception that technology can solve all problems. But it can’t solve underlying issues in a workflow.

You may even worsen the problem by automating flawed processes.

The law of amplification says that using technology in a workflow process makes it more efficient. But applying technology to an inefficient process will make it even more inefficient.

So, technology amplifies the process, whether it’s efficient or not. 

Before implementing any digital workflow software, manufacturers must first identify and fix workflow issues.

How to improve manufacturing workflow

You can improve each step in a manufacturing workflow through better project management or more advanced technology.

Let’s look at the different ways to simplify a workflow in manufacturing.

Review your existing workflow

As a company grows, so do the number of employees and the rate of its output production.

When a business scales, its workflows must follow. After all, the manufacturing workflow for a small business will likely not work for an enterprise-level company with more workers and increased production demand.

You must regularly review the manufacturing workflow to minimize production bottlenecks and maximize your resources.

Update processes and technology

Today, there is exponential growth in the technology sector. It’s not uncommon for certain software or hardware to become obsolete in just a few years.

When performing routine check-ups on your workflow processes, check if the technology you’re using is still up to current standards.

Commit to scheduled maintenance

It’s easy to fall into the mindset of “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Some manufacturing companies may skip over maintenance checks because they think it’s a waste of time. 

Even if the manufacturing process is seemingly successful, it’s still important to do routine check-ups. Issues in manufacturing processes aren’t always obvious and may require more scrutiny.

Train and educate employees

Hiring the most qualified employees from the get-go is just as important as fostering an environment of professional growth.

As a company grows, so does the required skill set of its employees.

Get feedback and note what skill sets your employees could improve on. Consider investing in training opportunities for your staff to boost productivity.

Aside from positively affecting your production process, allowing your employees to grow also improves workplace morale.

Organize the workspace

A disorganized workspace will slow the workflow down. Ensure your facility is organized and clean, especially before a new work day. 

Arrange workstations efficiently so that the appropriate tools are nearby and it’s easy for employees to keep the area clean.

Maintain optimal inventory

Having too little inventory can lead to lower production output and decreased sales.

On the other hand, having too much inventory can lead to:

• Limited cash flow.
• Increased expenses.
• Wasted resources.

Maintain an optimal inventory by coordinating your purchasing schedule with your production output and keeping accurate and updated records.

Consider automating notifications when stock becomes too low or too high so you always know when to order more.

How digital workflows improve manufacturing operations

Digital workflows exist to make life easier for manufacturers and businesses in general. They eliminate manual processes, reduce paper transactions, and simplify operations.

On top of having all your workflows digitized, they can also be automated, accessed, and managed in one place. 

Workflows in manufacturing that you can digitize and automate include: 

• Payment processing.
• Inventory management. 
• Production planning. 
• Quality control. 
• Work orders.
• Distribution management. 

These processes require a wide range of workflows to ensure continuous production and minimal downtime. You could improve all of these through a digital workflow. 

Key takeaways

Workflow automation can minimize the steps employees take to finish a job. Always evaluate which processes technology could solve before implementing any software.

Ensure it will enhance efficiency, not hinder it. 

Once you’ve decided to automate your manufacturing workflows through software, the next step is finding the right management tool.

Method CRM is a great solution that helps manufacturers automate every process, from sales to operations. It’s easy to use and fully customizable to your specific manufacturing workflows and processes. 

Method will drastically increase productivity by simplifying time-consuming processes, making sure your business is always ahead of the game.

To boost efficiency and automate your workflows, consider integrating with Method CRM. See how Method helped a shipping container company’s revenue double in just three years below.

Workflow in manufacturing FAQs

What is a workflow process?

A workflow process refers to a series of tasks or activities that you must complete to achieve a specific outcome.

What are the three basic components of workflow?

The three basic components of a workflow are input, transformation, and output. Input entails the material required to complete a step. Transformation is a detailed set of rules that determine how the input materials are used. Output is the final product.

What is the purpose of a workflow?

The purpose of a workflow is to lay the work out clearly for employees so they can complete jobs efficiently. A carefully planned and detailed workflow will improve the efficiency of business processes. It also ensures all team members are on the same page.

Watch Method CRM’s demo to learn what it can do for your business!

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A steady influx of viable and high-quality leads makes manufacturing companies profitable. That said, traditional and in-person sales models are no longer cutting it, especially in today’s increasingly digital landscape.

Nowadays, online marketing strategies are the best way to generate industrial prospects for your manufacturing business.

But with so many moving parts, how do you develop an effective lead generation manufacturing plan on a budget? 

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about how lead generation for manufacturing works and what best practices you can implement.

Manufacturing lead generation

Some use the terms “lead generation” and “demand generation” interchangeably in the manufacturing industry.

But the two are not the same.

Lead generation manufacturing refers to contact acquisition or gathering basic information like a name, phone number, email address, and other data that helps build a customer profile.

In turn, demand generation is when you reach out to closer targets who have already expressed interest in your services.

You can manage your leads through CRM software that accommodates QuickBooks for manufacturing and wholesale.

What are the important requirements of lead generation for manufacturers?

There are many moving parts and critical requirements for lead generation manufacturing, such as offers and contact forms.

Before developing your marketing plan, familiarize yourself with the components of a robust growth strategy, including:

• Offers: High-value resources and services like eBooks, white papers, digital brochures, discounts, and product demonstrations. Consumers are typically more willing to exchange contact information for something enticing, helpful, and intriguing.
• Landing pages: Unlike regular web pages, landing pages contain information about a specific product, service, or offer. Advertising materials like social media posts or Google ads often lead back to landing pages.
• Calls-to-action (CTA): A CTA link or button encourages site visitors to submit information. CTAs should be clear, concise, and persuasive.
• Forms: The easiest and most direct way to collect potential leads is through information forms. You can get various information from this channel, such as names, numbers, emails, etc.
• Website: To host the components listed above, you need your website to function. Since 72% of B2B buyers are tech-savvy, a responsive, easy-to-navigate, and informative website is essential to gathering qualified leads.

Top approaches of lead generation for manufacturers

Lead generation strategies that work for one manufacturer may not necessarily work for you.

That said, there are multiple approaches you can take to push industrial leads into your sales pipeline – just don’t forget to track your manufacturing workflows.

Below are some of the approaches you can consider.

Leverage existing customers

Contrary to what some may think, customer acquisition is more expensive than customer retention. In addition, engaging existing customers is often easier – after all, they’ve already done business with you.

Ask your existing customers for feedback and testimonials.

Word-of-mouth marketing is a powerful tactic; displaying positive reviews on your website can turn visitors into leads.

Organize events or actively participate in industry events

Being social, even and especially during your off hours, can go a long way in your networking strategy.

For example, participating in industry events can provide a platform for your business and thrust you into industry leadership. Even if you aren’t delivering a speech or presentation, your attendance alone increases your visibility in your industry.

Plus, you can connect with like-minded business individuals interested in your products and services. 

Use different CTAs

Just because you’ve succeeded with past CTAs doesn’t mean you should keep using the same one.

Varying your CTAs can boost online conversions by tapping into different kinds of customers.

Remember, no two prospective buyers are the same. Some might respond better to specific approaches in language and visuals.

Optimize your website to convert

For your website to appear on search engines, it must be optimized.

Fortunately, search engine optimization is a low-budget yet effective investment that can give you great returns and qualified leads.

While optimizing your website will take time, you can start by applying the following changes:

• Clean your site navigation up. Make it easy for site visitors to find the information they need.
• Use clear and concise information forms to develop a contact database or email list.
• Upload valuable resources that site visitors are likely to download.

Occasionally give out freebies

Potential clients are much more responsive when there are incentives. If you can afford it, offer the occasional freebie, such as a consultation or eBook.

This is typically enough to encourage them to exchange information.

How to create engaging content offers for manufacturing lead generation

Now that you know the importance of lead generation efforts for manufacturing businesses, implement the following practices to get more and better leads.

Use the element of scarcity

Demand increases as supply decreases. This principle of supply and demand makes for an effective psychological marketing tactic.

Create limited-time or limited-quantity offers. Consumers may be more motivated to purchase your product because they don’t know when the offer will become unavailable. 

Keep track of your limited-offer stocks through work orders.

Leverage newsjacking

Newsjacking is when you leverage a recent headline or event to promote your products and services.

When implemented effectively, newsjacking is a clever and timely way to boost your brand’s popularity and credibility.

You can incorporate newsjacking into your content marketing efforts by following:

• Social media feeds.
• Google Trends updates.
• News platforms.
• Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds.
• Influencers.

Popular trends in manufacturing that you can incorporate into your online lead generation manufacturing campaigns include artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and digital transformations.

Focus on creating an amazing title

A headline can say a lot about what you offer. As such, it should be clear, exciting, and informational enough that potential buyers want to click through to learn more.

You can use a shocking statistic or enticing benefit in your title. That said, don’t exaggerate and over-offer, especially if you can’t deliver on the statements you make.

Create offers for different buying stages

Thanks to the internet, manufacturing clients no longer call sales reps for information. Instead, many users prefer to do their research independently.

How do you shorten the sales cycle if potential customers aren’t interested in getting in touch?

Creating unique offers for each marketing stage is an excellent way to spark interest and push site visitors into converting. For instance, someone entering the buying cycle might be interested in an informational resource like a brochure or demonstration.

Further into your sales process, potential clients might be more interested in a discount or subscription.

Avoid corporate jargon

While professionalism in your sales team is a must, overstuffing your language with jargon is a surefire way to lose out on a future customer.

Avoid using vague buzzwords like “cutting-edge” or “next-level”, as they don’t offer real value.

Instead, highlight product features and discuss how doing business with your company can benefit potential B2B buyers.

Use high-value offer formats

No two offers are identical, and no two buyers look for the same thing. Use your marketing analytics to determine what your buyers want most.

But while content is the cornerstone of inbound marketing, what kind of content you produce can make or break your marketing efforts.

For example, some clients may be more interested in live webinars and long-form eBooks, while others have shorter attention spans and respond better to product demonstrations and quick presentations.

But if you’re reaching out to experienced manufacturing clients, providing something too simple isn’t going to cut it.

Key takeaways

As a manufacturing business, the best way to stay profitable is to turn viable leads into paying customers.

When developing an unbeatable lead generation strategy for your sales process, keep the following in mind:

• Lead and demand generation are not the same. Consider which approach makes the most sense for your business.
• The primary components of effective lead generation are an offer, landing page, call-to-action, form, and website.
• While you can buy leads, the best way to increase your growth trajectory is to tap into their interests and values.
• Vary your offers and calls to action. Some leads might prefer to download an eBook, while others might be more interested in attending a webinar.
• Take advantage of industry news. Ride on trends to push high-value deals.

Are you looking for an easier way to track your leads?

Method CRM unifies customer information in a single database, allowing you to follow up with leads and move them further down the funnel.

Lead generation for manufacturing FAQs

How do manufacturers generate leads?

The best way for manufacturers to generate leads is through digital marketing. Marketing strategies such as blogs, social media, newsjacking, and SEO can draw new customers in regularly.

What is the lead generation process?

The lead generation process involves attracting and moving customers through your sales pipeline. The goal is to create consumer interest in your specific products and services. Once you have a good set of leads (prospects), the next step is to turn them into paying customers by nurturing the relationship.

How can you improve sales lead generation?

You can take many steps to improve your lead and demand generation strategy, such as investing in SEO and paid advertisements or creating enticing content that brings visitors to your site. You can also network at events to generate interest and consistently adapt marketing efforts according to trends or consumer insights.

Start your free trial of Method CRM today!

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Global supply chains are fragile, and experiencing shortages in your workflow can drastically impact your bottom line.

If you want to keep up with fluctuating demands, an effective supply chain management process is non-negotiable.

However, not all businesses have a robust supply chain workflow in place.

If you want to maintain a steady flow of resources while keeping your business profitable, this guide will tell you:

• What you need to know about supply chain management.
• How to implement supply chain management.

What is supply chain management?

Supply chain management (SCM) refers to the handling and centralized administration of your production process. It covers all processes that turn raw materials into a finished product.

Why supply chain management is important

Regardless of your industry, SCM can provide many benefits, including the following.

Balances demand and capacity

Inventory management doesn’t just ensure that you can meet customer demands but also prevents excess inventory.

Having “just enough” raw materials keeps your bottom line afloat because you aren’t spending more than you can afford.

Identifies problem areas

If your customer satisfaction levels aren’t where you want them to be, SMC can help you identify supply chain workflow disruptions.

Data analysis prepares manufacturers for potential shortages and forecasts accurately.

Optimizes prices

Seasonal products don’t have long shelf lives, so you want them out of your inventory as soon as they go out of style.

SCM can help you price these products dynamically to maximize profits and improve margins while preventing overstock.

Lowers shipping costs

Limiting your number of distribution channels can reduce distribution costs.

Streamlining your distribution process and working with shipping aggregators can help you maintain a more substantial cash flow.

Enhanced business agility

Clearly-defined business process workflows keep your company adaptable to change.

Ample supply planning helps your SCM anticipate adjustments, shortages, or excesses.

What is the supply chain management process?

The supply chain management process oversees all your manufacturing operations and comprises four sections.

Supply management

You can split supply management into five categories:

• Supply planning: How can you best meet the goals indicated by your demand plan??
• Inventory planning: What is the optimal inventory quantity for meeting customer demands?
• Production planning: How can you best allocate resources, materials, and employees?
• Capacity planning: How much equipment and production staff do you need to complete your output goals?
• Distribution planning: How do your materials move from production to supplier to manufacturer to distribution?

Demand management

Contrary to supply management, demand management comprises only three categories:

• Demand planning: Aligns inventory levels and supply chain activities to demand forecasts.
• Trade promotion planning: Increases product demand through marketing efforts like optimized pricing, promotions, value-added bonuses, product demonstrations, and display fixtures.
• Merchandise planning: Maximizes ROI by optimizing merchandise distribution in various locations at calculated prices.

Sales and operations planning

Sales and operations planning (S&OP) aligns demand, supply, and finances, so your manufacturing business stays profitable.

Through S&OP, managers develop forecasts based on geographical needs for specific products and services.

Managers do S&OP monthly, quarterly, or biannually depending on company size.

Product portfolio management

Product portfolio management covers product ideation up to the initial market introduction.

The process involves analyzing performance and anticipating its product life cycle.

Some products will end their profitable lives sooner than others, while others can adapt with strategic marketing. 

What is a workflow in supply chain management?

Workflows in a supply network consist of activities for optimizing resources, processing information, maximizing sales, and satisfying consumer demands.

These supply chain workflows indicate every step a project manager should take to facilitate end-to-end product delivery.

The ultimate goal of supply chain management workflows is to improve critical points of the delivery process.

From first to last, a typical supply chain workflow has the following phases:

1. Planning.
2. Sourcing.
3. Production.
4. Inventory management.
5. Logistics.

Types of workflows in SCM

The manufacturing process comprises these three unique SCM workflows.

Material flow

The material flow SCM model outlines how resources move in your system, from raw materials to assembly to inventory to distribution.

A positive material flow indicates that your stock moves steadily and predictably. The quicker your items move and the fewer delays they experience, the better you shrink the cash cycle.

Value stream maps (VSMs) help managers visualize how items move across their system and how long the journey takes. 

Information/data flow

The information or data flow SCM model follows critical information like purchase orders, schedules, quotations, and supplier reports from supplier to customer and vice versa.

Keeping every department in this information loop increases accuracy, reduces human error, and makes workflows predictable.

Money flow

The money flow SCM model tracks your cash flow as you sell and distribute products.

Typically, this model follows costs involved in the following:

• Transportation.
• Inventory storage.
• Packing.
• Capital.
• Administration.

How to improve your manufacturing supply chain workflow

The global market is constantly expanding, so continuously improving your supply chain workflows is imperative to your business’ success.

Implement these best practices in your supply chain management system to ensure a smooth production cycle.

Use real-time data

Connected supply chain planning involves several players, such as suppliers, manufacturers, producers, and consumers.

Thanks to real-time data, you never miss out on sudden changes and can guarantee the accuracy of information.

Plus, you can plan around “what if” scenarios and develop practical contingencies.

Automate specific processes

Automating manufacturing processes can increase warehouse efficiency while reducing human error on administrative tasks.

Furthermore, supply chain workflow automation decreases operating costs, as you can afford to employ less staff or move existing staff into more money-making roles.

Study supply chain trends

Anticipating what the global supply chain might look like can future-proof your business.

A few trends you should keep your eye on include:

• Artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models provide superior predictive marketing intelligence that improves audience targeting and demand forecasts.
• Blockchain: Cryptocurrency is forcing manufacturers to keep up with new processes and methods of interconnectivity. You can reduce data redundancy by incorporating smart contracts in your approval process.
• Privacy: Consumers care about their privacy, and so should you. Supply chain partners must adhere to changes by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to protect information.

Key takeaways

Knowing how volatile the global supply chain can be, robust material management and highly systemized workflows are necessary for success. 

Supply chain management ensures that your product manufacturing processes are cost-effective, without error, and profitable.

And the best way to improve your internal operations is to use real-time data, automate specific processes, and stay updated with trends.

You can make the online supply chain management process simple and intuitive with a full-service CRM like Method CRM.

Method automates repetitive tasks involving processing orders, managing inventory, and distributing goods.

Watch the video to better understand its capabilities:

Supply chain workflow FAQs

What is a supply chain structure?

A supply chain structure refers to every moving component of your supply chain. These elements include raw materials, supply chain stakeholders, equipment, staff, and other processes.

What is the supply chain life cycle?

The supply chain life cycle outlines and enumerates the entire journey of a product, from ideation to execution to sales.

What are the five stages of the supply chain?

The five stages of the supply chain are planning, sourcing materials for production, manufacturing, delivery, and returns.

Watch the demo and automate your supply chain workflow today!

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