The week of November 17 of this year is National Apprenticeship Week. We celebrate all that comes with internships and apprenticeships for the trades. Being that this year will be the 10th anniversary of this holiday, makes National Apprenticeship Week even more special. Whether you are in the electrical, plumbing, welding or carpentry trade apprenticeships and internships are where you start out and gain the skills you need to continue your career.
Here are five facts about apprenticeships to help celebrate this nationally recognized week:
An apprenticeship is a paid job with training.
Apprenticeships are for people of all ages – not just school leavers or young people, although they are a crucial route into work for this group.
Apprenticeships can upskill existing employees as well as train new recruits.
There are over 500 apprenticeships approved for delivery, covering a diverse range of roles in many different sectors.
Businesses select a training provider to work with to deliver their apprenticeships; these include colleges and independent training providers.
When crafting your next social media post, it’s essential to consider factors that will resonate with your audience. Different industries and audiences have varying preferences for content length. Generally, audiences lean towards either short-form or long-form content. Long-form content typically exceeds 900 words or three minutes in video length, while short-form content is under 900 words or three minutes long. Let’s discuss the benefits of utilizing both forms of content.
Long Form Content:
Building a Rapport
Building rapport with your audience is crucial for any business. It boosts your credibility and deepens your audience’s connection with your brand. This, in turn, allows you to better understand their preferences and deliver content that truly resonates with them.
Allotting Time to Weave Together a Great Story
Long-form content allows creators to craft a compelling story in detail. By investing time in a well-developed narrative, you can capture your audience’s interest. For example, longer videos enable your company to share its story, values and client relationships, helping to reach diverse audiences and provide a deeper insight into your business.
Allows More Keywords to be Used for SEO
Long-form content is usually very detailed and includes more thorough information and examples, providing more opportunities in searches for keywords to come up in searches. Typically, long-form content also cites other third-party resources and studies that allow visitors to deep dive into a specific subtopic. From that, it ranks for more keywords for SEO, therefore your content would be more discoverable.
Short Form Content:
Shorter Attention Spans
In recent years, attention spans have increasingly diminished. The national average attention span is 8.25 seconds, which explains why sometimes short form content is more desirable. Do you ever find yourself skipping over longer videos after a day of work because you don’t want to sit through a five-minute video? Exactly. We’ve all done it, and we will continue to do so, if our attention spans continue the trend of declining as they have been for the past several years.
Easier to Consume
Long videos can be divided into shorter segments to make them more digestible for audiences. For the trades, using brief product videos and testimonials can maintain or increase engagement. Also, creating suspense—such as teasing a product launch and following up with more details later—can keep your audience eagerly anticipating more. Highlighting key features and benefits of products in short videos or articles is another effective way to generate buzz and engage your audience.
Statistically Speaking…
According to Wired, it was found that “On platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels use videos that are often less than 30 seconds in length,” and “50 percent of TikTok users say videos longer than 60 seconds are ‘stressful’.” This statistic is incredible insightful to deciding whether or not short form content is appropriate for the type of content that you put out for your audience. It’s also important to judge your audience in order to see what kind of content they would prefer.
Overall, there are great benefits to using both long form and short form content. It’s important to weigh which type of content would benefit you and engage your audience more. This, in turn, allows your audience to see the content that is important and interesting to them. For most companies, it would most likely be in favor of them to generate a mix of long form and short form content, in order to maximize the marketing efforts that are put out. When utilizing either type of content, as long as you understand what your audience would want, from there your content will be able to thrive.
Influencer marketing has evolved from a niche strategy to a mainstream approach for brands looking to amplify their reach, engage with target audiences and drive results. Here’s how you can utilize building an effective influencer program.
Define Your Objectives
Before you dive into an influencer program, it’s crucial to establish clear objectives for your program. Are you aiming to boost brand awareness, drive sales or enhance engagement? By setting specific, measurable goals, you can tailor your influencer program to meet these objectives.
Identify Your Ideal Influencers
Finding the right influencers is key to the success of your program. Look beyond follower counts and focus on finding influencers who align with your brand values and resonate with your target audience. Consider factors such as engagement rates, types of content they post and how often they post. Micro-influencers, with their highly engaged audiences, can often provide more significant impact than those with massive followings.
Build Authentic Relationships
Influencer marketing succeeds on authenticity. Aim to build genuine relationships with influencers. Engage with them on social media, collaborate on projects and provide value beyond just monetary compensation. An authentic partnership can lead to more compelling and more credible social media posts.
Collaboration Guidelines
To ensure a smooth collaboration, establish clear guidelines for influencers. Outline your brand’s expectations, campaign goals, key messaging and content requirements. Provide influencers with the creative freedom to craft their content in a way that feels natural to their audience while aligning with your brand’s voice.
Track Results
Tracking and analyzing the performance of your influencer program is essential for continuous improvement. Use metrics such as engagement rates to gauge the effectiveness of each influencer partnership. Leverage these insights to refine your strategy and optimize campaigns.
By defining clear objectives, choosing the right influencers, fostering authentic relationships and continuously optimizing your approach, you can unlock the full potential of influencer marketing.
As the landscape of influencer marketing continues to evolve, staying adaptable and responsive to insights will ensure your program drives meaningful results.
This year, we celebrate Sonnhalter turning 48! In 1976, John Sonnhalter founded Sonnhalter with a focus on industrial manufacturing accounts. Over time, our focus evolved, and we coined the term B2T, encompassing markets such as plumbers, electricians, machinists and others working in the trades.
At Sonnhalter, our focus as a manufacturing marketing agency is to serve companies that target professional tradesmen in the construction, industrial and MRO markets. To this day we stand by our motto, “Not Afraid to Get Our Hands Dirty.”
From Berea to Downtown Cleveland
One of the biggest changes since our founding was our move from Berea to Downtown Cleveland in February 2015. This relocation to a larger, more central location downtown brought us closer to a vibrant and thriving hub of activity.
A New Presidency
In its 48 years of service, Sonnhalter has undergone significant changes, including the retirement of founder John Sonnhalter and the appointment of his son, Matt Sonnhalter, as president. This father-son duo has made a notable impact in the B2T world. Upon John’s retirement, Matt stepped into his father’s role and continued the legacy of leadership. Matt has successfully guided the company, leveraging his extensive industry experience to drive Sonnhalter’s success.
Award Winning Work
At Sonnhalter, we take pride in our work and the clients we are fortunate to partner with. Our expertise has earned us numerous accolades, including awards for our work with Franklin Electric, General Pipe Cleaners, Kapro Tools and Weldcote. We’ve received ten gold and silver awards from the Davey Awards, and six gold and bronze awards from the PRSA Cleveland Rocks Awards competition. We were also recognized as one of BtoB magazine’s top business-to-business agencies in the U.S. for five consecutive years. These honors reflect our dedication, and we look forward to achieving even more in the future.
101 Days of Summer Photo Contest
Since 2004, Sonnhalter has held its annual summer photo contest, where every employee has the opportunity to submit photos that creatively reflect their summertime activities. Through this competition, each employee has the chance to win a cash prize and more importantly, bragging rights for the year.
Sonnhalter’s Annual Tool Drive
For 15 years, Sonnhalter has figured out a way to give back to the community, tradesman style. In 2010, we started our Annual Tool Drive and it has been a huge success. Overall, we’ve raised more than $517,000 to benefit Greater Cleveland’s Habitat for Humanity, in the hopes of eliminating substandard housing in our community. For the Tool Drive, we ask members of the community to donate old or unused tools and building materials that they might find in warehouses, garages and sheds.
We are extremely proud of our journey and where we stand today as a company. From the days of keylining and desktop publishing to sending snail mail press releases and embracing social media and influencers, our industry has evolved significantly. With the dedication of our Sonnhalter team and the support of our clients, we’ve navigated these changes and continue to thrive. Looking ahead, we’re excited about the future and ready to embrace new opportunities and challenges.
Recently, Sonnhalter’s president, Matt Sonnhalter, was featured on the Appetite for Construction podcast, where he reflected on the 2024 PHCC CONNECT held in Birmingham, Alabama. Matt emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing within the industry, particularly in engaging with younger professionals in the trades.
Matt discussed the engaging sessions and networking opportunities that contributed to a productive atmosphere, allowing attendees to address the evolving challenges they face. Listen to the episode here to hear more about Matt’s thoughts on the event and its lasting impact on the industry.
Alt-tag: Two women talking about optimizing manufacturing operations.
The integration of data analytics is proving indispensable, particularly for manufacturers serving the construction, industrial, and manufacturing markets. This transformative approach enhances decision-making and ensures a competitive edge in a rapidly changing sector. Leveraging precise data insights leads to significantly optimizing manufacturing operations, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced operational costs.
As we delve into the myriad ways data analytics reshapes manufacturing practices, it becomes clear that embracing this technology is not just beneficial but essential for staying ahead. Rather, data analytics is pivotal in refining production processes, maintaining equipment effectively, and ultimately leading manufacturers to unprecedented levels of success.
Data Analytics in Modern Manufacturing
The integration of data analytics into modern manufacturing signifies a paradigm shift from traditional, intuition-based methods to strategic, data-driven decision-making. This evolution is crucial as it enables manufacturers to anticipate market trends, adapt to changing demands, and enhance operational efficiencies. Data analytics is the backbone forstrategic planning, providing insights that lead to improved resource management and optimized production workflows.
These advancements are not just about keeping pace but about setting the pace in a competitive industry where precision and efficiency are paramount. By analyzing vast amounts of data, from production speeds to material costs, manufacturers are equipped to make informed decisions that not only streamline operations but also foster innovation and growth within the industrial, construction, and manufacturing sectors.
Modern businesses rely on data analytics to be better at optimizing manufacturing operations. Alt-tag: Manufacturing buildings against the sky.
Enhancing Production Efficiency through Data Analytics
Data analytics enhances production efficiency by transforming raw data into actionable insights. This process involves a detailed analysis of production lines to pinpoint inefficiencies and streamline operations. By harnessingmarket intelligence, manufacturers gain a deeper understanding of operational bottlenecks, allowing for precise adjustments in real time. This targeted approach significantly improves throughput and reduces waste, optimizing the entire production cycle.
Furthermore, data-driven strategies support faster production rates and align product output with current market demands, ensuring manufacturers produce the right products at the right time. The integration of advanced analytics tools thus plays a crucial role in boosting production efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing the overall competitiveness of manufacturing operations in the construction and industrial sectors.
Predictive Maintenance: Preventing Downtime Before It Happens
Predictive maintenance is vital for optimizing manufacturing operations because it utilizes data analytics to foresee and prevent equipment failures before they disrupt production. This proactive approach involves monitoring the condition of machinery using sensors and data analytics to detect anomalies that predict potential breakdowns. Implementing predictive maintenance strategies allows manufacturers to significantly reduce unplanned downtime, crucial for maintaining a steady and efficient production flow.
The ability to anticipate and remedy issues before they escalate enhances equipment longevity, optimizes resource use, and maintains productivity levels. Consequently, this safeguards the manufacturing process against costly interruptions and reinforces operational reliability. As a result, it ensures that production schedules are met and productivity is maximized.
Data is necessary for maintenance and quality control. Alt-tag: A man checking manufacturing equipment.
Quality Control and Continuous Improvement
When manufacturers leverage real-time data, they can monitor and assess the quality of products as they are being produced. The date enables immediate corrections and minimizes the incidence of defects. This ongoing process of evaluation and adjustment fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Operational procedures are constantly refined to enhance product quality and efficiency.
Data analytics aids in identifying patterns that might indicate underlying issues in the manufacturing process. So, it also provides opportunities for preemptive improvements. As a result, manufacturers are continually adapting and optimizing their processes to meet the evolving demands and expectations of the market.
Harnessing CRM Data to Optimize Operations
Optimizing manufacturing operations requires analyzing a wide range of data sources, from production metrics to supply chain information. One invaluable source is customer relationship management (CRM) data, which offers deep insights into customer demands and feedback. This data encompasses various aspects, such as purchase history, customer service interactions, and consumer behavior patterns. Understanding these different types of CRM data enables manufacturers to align their production processes more closely with market needs.
By integrating CRM insights, companies can adjust their production schedules, inventory levels, and even product designs to meet customer expectations better, enhancing overall operational efficiency. Therefore, this strategic use of CRM data supports better demand forecasting. It also drives customer satisfaction and loyalty improvements, which are crucial for sustaining competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector.
Workforce Optimization and Skill Management
Data analytics plays a crucial role by enabling precise planning and deployment of human resources where they are most needed. As you well know,planning is vital for every business, and in manufacturing, where skills directly impact productivity and quality, it becomes even more essential. Analyzing workforce data helps identify skill gaps and training needs, ensuring that employees are well-equipped to handle the complexities of modern manufacturing tasks.
Additionally, data-driven insights can optimize shift allocations and workload distributions, maximizing efficiency without overburdening employees. By carefully managing and developing their workforce through analytics, manufacturers can ensure their teams are more agile, skilled, and aligned with the demands of the manufacturing industry.
Streamline your operations with data insights. Alt-tag: People analyzing data.
The Future of Manufacturing: AI and Machine Learning
The future of manufacturing is inextricably linked to the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These technologies are going to enhance data analytics capabilities and enable more autonomous production systems. AI and ML algorithms can analyze vast datasets more efficiently than traditional methods, identifying patterns and predicting outcomes with high accuracy. This allows for further optimization of manufacturing operations, from predictive maintenance to personalized production.
The integration of AI enhances real-time decision-making and operational agility. It facilitates smarter, more responsive manufacturing processes. As these technologies evolve, they promise to increase efficiency and reduce costs. But they’ll also foster innovation, creating new possibilities for manufacturers to stay competitive.
Embrace Data-Driven Manufacturing!
The importance of data analytics in optimizing manufacturing operations is becoming more obvious. By embracing this transformative technology, manufacturers can enhance efficiency, improve quality control, and respond more effectively to market demands. As we look to the future, integrating AI and machine learning will further empower manufacturers, ensuring they remain competitive and innovative in the face of evolving industry challenges. Therefore, embracing data-driven strategies is not just beneficial, but essential for any manufacturer aiming for operational excellence and sustainability.
Author bio: Vojin (John) Dinic is the Onboarding and Integrations Manager at MoversTech, a renowned New York-based company specializing in CRM solutions for moving companies. With extensive experience in data analytics and process optimization, Vojin has successfully helped numerous businesses streamline their operations and enhance efficiency through innovative CRM integrations.
