A DUKINFIELD workwear firm is looking at the bigger picture when it comes to its digital transformation.
Tibard designs, manufactures and personalises workwear and chefwear in-house for customers including the NHS, Big Table, TRG and Booker.
But being among 125 North West manufacturers whose leaders have taken part in the Government-backed Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) programme, it has had a rethink on certain things.
For after sharpening its leadership skills with Made Smarter, operations manager Luke Harrison felt encouraged to step back from individual technology projects and think more strategically about where the business was heading.
He said: “One of the biggest lessons for me was the importance of having a clear purpose.
“It’s very easy to focus on projects and technology, but unless everyone understands what you’re trying to achieve as a business, it’s much harder to make the right decisions.
“Developing our purpose, mission and vision has given us a real anchor for the direction we’re taking.”
Luke said another lesson had changed the pace at which he approaches digital projects.
He added: “I’m naturally someone who likes to move quickly, but one phrase from the programme has really stayed with me: ‘Slow down and walk the track.’
“Taking the time to properly scope projects has changed the way I approach digital transformation.
“It gives you much more confidence that you’re investing in the right things for the right reasons.
“We’ve already started putting that thinking into practice. We’re introducing new dashboards to give our teams better visibility of production and stock, strengthening our IT infrastructure and developing a clear roadmap for future projects.
“It’s about building a connected business that supports both our customers and our employee owners for the long term.”
LDT is a 14-week programme for current and emerging manufacturing leaders, delivered with Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford.
It combines face-to-face workshops, online webinars, real-life manufacturing case studies, peer learning and visits to technology demonstrators.
Ruth Hailwood, Made Smarter’s lead organisation and workforce development S-specialist, said: “What’s really exciting is seeing these leaders take what they have learned and put it into practice so quickly.
“Leaders need to think strategically, understand the problem they are trying to solve, prioritise projects, engage their teams and manage change effectively.
“That is what LDT is designed to develop, giving manufacturing leaders practical tools they can apply immediately and the confidence to make better-informed decisions about where technology can make the biggest difference.”