Jason Swearingen

My colleague, Trish Calder, has insisted I relax during my elected extended vacation time this summer. So, today I listened to her advice and I set up this hammock in my backyard. Staying true to my continuous improvement DNA, it wasn’t long before I was thinking about the principles of continuous improvement and my new hammock. At first, it might seem like an odd comparison, but stay with me. As lay there relaxed, gazing into the overhanging branches, a few thoughts came to mind: Just as a hammock requires a balance between two trees to function correctly, continuous improvement thrives on a balance of various factors within an organization. Support and Stability: A hammock needs strong and stable trees to support it, just like continuous improvement requires a solid foundation of leadership and organizational support. Tension and Flexibility: The straps of a hammock need the right amount of tension – too tight, and it becomes uncomfortable; too loose, and it doesn’t hold. Similarly, continuous improvement needs the right balance of structure and flexibility to adapt to changes and challenges. Comfort and Resilience: A hammock provides comfort and a place to relax, much like a well-implemented continuous improvement strategy can create a more efficient and stress-free work environment. However, both need to be resilient and well-maintained to ensure long-term success. Alignment and Purpose: Just as the hammock must be correctly aligned between the trees, continuous improvement initiatives must align with the organization's goals and objectives to be effective. Setting up and enjoying a hammock requires some initial effort, but once it's in place, it offers a perfect place to relax and reflect. Continuous improvement might also require initial investments in time and resources, but the long-term benefits of efficiency, productivity, and employee satisfaction make it all worthwhile. Remember, whether it's a hammock or continuous improvement, the key is to find the right balance. Thanks for the suggestion Trish! #ContinuousImprovement #LeanSixSigma #Leadership #WorkLifeBalance #CultivatingChampionsofCI

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My colleague, Trish Calder, has insisted I relax during my elected extended vacation time this summer. So, today I listened to her advice and I set up this hammock in my backyard. Staying true to my continuous improvement DNA, it wasn’t long before I was thinking about the principles of continuous improvement and my new hammock. At first, it might seem like an odd comparison, but stay with me. As lay there relaxed, gazing into the overhanging branches, a few thoughts came to mind: Just as a hammock requires a balance between two trees to function correctly, continuous improvement thrives on a balance of various factors within an organization. Support and Stability: A hammock needs strong and stable trees to support it, just like continuous improvement requires a solid foundation of leadership and organizational support. Tension and Flexibility: The straps of a hammock need the right amount of tension – too tight, and it becomes uncomfortable; too loose, and it doesn’t hold. Similarly, continuous improvement needs the right balance of structure and flexibility to adapt to changes and challenges. Comfort and Resilience: A hammock provides comfort and a place to relax, much like a well-implemented continuous improvement strategy can create a more efficient and stress-free work environment. However, both need to be resilient and well-maintained to ensure long-term success. Alignment and Purpose: Just as the hammock must be correctly aligned between the trees, continuous improvement initiatives must align with the organization's goals and objectives to be effective. Setting up and enjoying a hammock requires some initial effort, but once it's in place, it offers a perfect place to relax and reflect. Continuous improvement might also require initial investments in time and resources, but the long-term benefits of efficiency, productivity, and employee satisfaction make it all worthwhile. Remember, whether it's a hammock or continuous improvement, the key is to find the right balance. Thanks for the suggestion Trish! #ContinuousImprovement #LeanSixSigma #Leadership #WorkLifeBalance #CultivatingChampionsofCI

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Preparing for a Season Ramp Up? Let’s Talk Temporary Workforce Solutions. ⚙️👷‍♂️ As we approach the busy season for some, many manufacturers are feeling the pressure of ramping up production 📈 while navigating skills shortages, increased competition for workers, and workforce challenges. One of the keys to success during this time is having access to a reliable, flexible workforce that can adapt to shifting demands. 🔄 Pro tip: To stay ahead of the competition for talent, consider offering flexible shifts or additional incentives like overtime or retention bonuses to attract and retain the best temporary workers. Small adjustments can make a huge difference in securing the workforce you need for a temporary period. 💡 At FPR Group, we've been working closely with manufacturing and food production clients for over 30 years providing market insights and tailored solutions for seasonal peaks. From ensuring a pool of well-prepared temporary workers 👥 to offering support with onboarding and retention, we’re here to help businesses keep operations running smoothly, even when the competition for talent is fierce! ✅ If you’re preparing for a season ramp up, what strategies are you using to manage your workforce? 💬 #manufacturing #seasonalhiring #temporaryworkers #businesssolutions #FPRGroup

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**What Would Be Your Advice** Last week I was asked to participate in a plant tour Shoals Technologies Group was hosting at one of our plants in Portland, TN. Our company was hosting a group of high school educators and I was asked to share 3 things I felt this generation needed to be taught while in high school that would help them as they progress in their future careers. Below is what I shared: 1. Learn How to Communicate Effectively 2. Learn How to Problem Solve and Think Critically 3. Learn How to be a Team Player and be a Great Teammate What would be your advice?

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It's honestly pretty funny how some old leadership members seem to think spying on my LinkedIn profile is the way to keep tabs on me. 🤔 I guess when you’re too focused on tracking someone’s next move online, it’s a clear sign that your leadership style might need a little update. 💡 Just a heads-up: I’m focused on growth, opportunities, and building positive, professional connections—so you won’t find me caught up in the past. Let's all work on doing better and leave the spy games behind. 🚀 #Leadership #GrowthMindset #NewOpportunities #MovingForward #Professionalism

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Propane can save you money and lower your fleet's emissions.

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If you're managing obsolete MRO inventory that’s no longer in use, it's important to consider its potential value. Clearing out these parts doesn’t have to be a headache — it can actually put cash back in your pocket. At SIGMA Surplus, we make it simple. Whether you have a list of parts or just some unused inventory, we provide a fair offer. For those of you juggling daily operations, our Crate Program provides regular pickups so you can reclaim value without the hassle. Here’s how to get started: https://lnkd.in/gCwhCEfS Let’s turn that unused inventory into something that works for you. #Manufacturing #MRO #IndustrialAutomation

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Good Morning and Happy Monday! The goal of continuous improvement is to create a culture of excellence within an organization where everyone is constantly looking for ways to improve. This can seem a daunting task, but the rewards are immense. A company that embraces continuous improvement will not only be more efficient and effective but will also find that their agile mindset makes them more adaptable to change. In today's ever-changing business environment, that is a critical competitive advantage. #omavantage #continiuosimprovement

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I encourage Leaders to take a peak into the day to day work within their organization. At times, you find exceptional individuals, who don’t seek anything more than the satisfaction of executing. In these moments, ask yourself how you can help those individuals progress in their career. These people are the rare gems that need mentorship to help them get to the next step in their professional journey!

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Safety Tuesday: 🦺 This week's focus is on Forklift Safety. 🛑🚧 With forklifts responsible for around 85 fatalities annually in U.S. workplaces, prioritizing safety is crucial. Tip-over incidents are the leading cause, accounting for 42% of these fatalities. Additionally, over 34,000 serious injuries are linked to forklift accidents yearly. To enhance safety, remember these key practices: - Only allow trained and licensed individuals to operate forklifts. - Always wear your seatbelt while operating a forklift. - Steer clear of leading edges like unprotected loading docks. - In case of a tipping forklift, hold onto the steering wheel and keep body parts inside the cab. - Operate at safe speeds and adjust for site conditions. - Be cautious on steep grades and avoid overloading the forklift. - Maintain forks close to the ground when traveling. - Do not carry passengers unless the forklift is designed for it. - Refrain from operating forklifts in busy foot traffic areas. Let's collectively prioritize safety to foster a secure work environment for everyone. #SafetyTuesday #WorkplaceSafety #ForkliftSafety #OSHA #SafetyFirst

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On the fourth day of truck safety, we're raising awareness about milk trucks! Milk trucks might look like any other tanker, but they carry unique risks on the road. Watch Michael Leizerman explain what makes these trucks different. #Trucksafetyfirm #TruckAccidentinjuryattorney #Milktruck #TankerTrucks

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Diversity, equity and inclusion. We are proud that these values are paramount in our company’s ethos, and integral to Storkcraft’s strength, cohesion, harmony, and success. Storkcraft® could not be more proud to be recognized by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA: Built for Baby) as the 2024 Winner of the Core Values Recognition Program, for the category of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. "The parents, caregivers, babies, and young children we serve depend on us to have their best interests in mind," said Lisa Trofe, executive director of JPMA. "Upholding our industry’s Core Values is one way we can prove to them that we do. These are values that matter to our customers as we work to earn their business and their trust. I’m proud of this year’s winners for demonstrating leadership across these Core Values." Read more here, and learn about the other Winners who are upholding our industry's core values: https://lnkd.in/gRhhDuG2

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https://lnkd.in/gFNNZ8Xs The proposed bans on all synthetic turf in California are misguided, and we’re here to set the record straight. Banning turf means banning play in CA. Shaw Sports Turf is affordable for local communities, sustainable, recyclable, and best of all: it doesn’t need to be watered. In a drought-ridden state, every turf field can save millions of gallons of water every year. Shaw Sports Turf is a win-win for our California communities, and a complete ban will limit access for kids and athletes to play.

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Extreme Ownership. Easy to preach. Hard to practice. If you were nervous to take responsibility for a failure, but did it anyway. If you were repermanded for what seemed to be clearly a mistake on someone else’s part, but were able to identify how you could have handled the situation differently. If you told your team to zing and they zagged, but you still identified what you failed to do. There are endless examples, and I still struggle at times. Although with each situation that arises, I am finding it easier to control my ego.

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Excited about this, looking forward to digging deeper into this Reta book.

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