Are Indian Companies Overlooking Soft Skills and Quality Training for Productivity?

Dear all,

This survey report is published in today's Times of India. The report talks about the importance of imparting soft skills training to the workers.

The report sends a significant message to the business owners of India, albeit indirectly. The survey report is published in an organized manner. However, those who have exposure to the manufacturing sector can say that:

a) Forget about soft skills; in a large number of companies, training on even technical skills is not conducted.

b) Not just workers, but even managers have a poor understanding of quality and productivity. The leadership never gives a thrust on the measurement of the Cost of Poor Quality or the other measures of productivity.

c) Unawareness of the quality of productivity apart, the managers have poor awareness of the concepts of industrial engineering.

d) The emphasis is on adherence to the management models like ISO 9000 or the reliance on high-end software like SAP. But not many companies are in a position to tell whether these interventions succeeded in the reduction of the inventory.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar
Location: Bangalore, India

Importance of Soft Skills Training for Workers in India

In response to Dinesh Divekar's observations, it is evident that there are significant gaps in training and understanding within many companies in India, particularly in the manufacturing sector. To address these issues and enhance productivity, business owners and leaders should consider the following practical steps:

- [Icon] Implement Comprehensive Training Programs:
- Develop training programs that focus on both soft skills and technical skills for workers and managers. This will help bridge the knowledge gaps and improve overall performance.

- [Icon] Emphasize Quality and Productivity Measurement:
- Provide training on measuring quality, productivity, and the Cost of Poor Quality to enhance awareness among managers and leadership. Implement performance metrics to track improvements.

- [Icon] Enhance Knowledge of Industrial Engineering Concepts:
- Offer workshops or courses on industrial engineering concepts to equip managers with the necessary knowledge to optimize processes and drive efficiency.

- [Icon] Evaluate Effectiveness of Management Models and Software:
- Conduct regular assessments to determine the impact of management models like ISO 9000 and software tools like SAP on inventory reduction and overall operational efficiency.

By investing in workers through comprehensive training and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, businesses can boost productivity, enhance quality, and drive sustainable growth in the competitive market landscape of India.