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Firing Up the Factory Floor
Implementing Effective Employee Engagement Strategies for Manufacturing Leaders
IPA Blog: The Pulse of Australian Industry
Team Charters: Your Secret Accountability Weapon
Let’s be honest—accountability can be a bit of a buzzkill word. It often gets tangled up with ...
Seeing Beyond What You Expect
When we set out to solve a problem, we like to believe we’re being completely logical—sifting through facts, ...
Near Misses Aren’t Lucky Breaks — They’re Warnings
Every industry has them: those close calls where disaster was narrowly avoided. The machine shuts down just ...
IPA Newsletter October 2025
Welcome to the October 2025 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
Case Study: How Enviroline Cut Costs by 75% in 1 Year with Focus Industrial
About Enviroline Enviroline is a laser cutting specialist based in St Marys, NSW, focusing primarily on ...
Problem-Solving Is a Team Sport
Most plant problems don’t live in silos — but too often, the investigation does. Maintenance thinks it’s ...
Unlocking Problem Solving with Parking Lots
Ever found yourself in a meeting where great ideas spark off-topic debates, and essential issues get lost in ...
Silly Season Starts in Spring
Spring has sprung, and while most of us are thinking about picnics, footy finals and dodging magpies, there’s ...
From Push to Pull: The Shift That Transforms Your Inventory
Most inventory systems are built backwards.
Cultivating Continuous Improvement Culture
Cultivating Continuous Improvement Culture In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, organisations that ...
Boosting Process Capability Basics
Boosting Process Capability Basics Improving process capability is essential for any organisation aiming to ...
Practical Ways to Lead Through Change
Change is essential for growth. Yet, even the most well-intentioned and well-planned initiatives often meet ...
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Break Free from Mental Shortcuts
Break Free from Mental Shortcuts When faced with problems, we tend to believe we’re making rational ...
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What Makes a Great Problem Solver? (Hint: It’s Not Just Technical Skills)
In industrial environments, it’s easy to assume that the best problem solvers are the ones with the most ...
Make Industry Networking Work
Industry events aren’t just about name tags and canapés—they’re gateways to opportunity, learning, and ...
Corporate Identity: Discover The Power Of Purpose
Deloitte recently released a Global Marketing Trends report aimed at guiding C-suite leadership teams in ...
When Fixes Fail: Why Some Problems Keep Coming Back
It starts with a familiar scene: A machine fails. A production target is missed. Someone is sent to patch it. ...
Closing Gaps, Building Future Skills
Australia’s labour market is in a state of dynamic evolution, driven by rapid technological advancements, ...
Resilient Leadership Through Uncertainty
The New Leadership Imperative In an age of rapid disruption, economic volatility and evolving workforce ...
Resilient Supply Chains Start Now
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of global supply chains, forcing businesses across all sectors to ...
The Shift Back To Human Centric Marketing
Brands are returning to Human Centric Marketing in order to differentiate and re-engage with their audience. ...
Mastering Time: A Manager's Edge
Time is the currency of leadership, especially for managers overseeing large teams. It’s the one resource ...
Energy Prices Set To Increase AGAIN
From July 1, 2025, members in Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia, and August 1, 2025, for those ...
Greener Factories, Smarter Futures
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have in manufacturing—it’s a non-negotiable. As environmental standards ...
Safeguarding Industrial Systems from Cyber Threats
Safeguarding Industrial Systems from Cyber Threats In today’s interconnected world, industrial control ...
Why It’s Time for Manufacturing to Return to Australia
Australia is at a turning point. After decades of seeing our manufacturing capabilities eroded by offshoring ...
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Australia’s Manufacturing Employment Market: Trends, Challenges & Opportunities in 2025 and Beyond
Australia’s manufacturing industry is entering a new era. One defined by technological advancement, ...
Hybrid Work: The Best of Both?
Hybrid Work: The Best of Both? The way we work has undergone a profound transformation. Gone are the days ...
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Nail Your Elevator Pitch Fast
Nail Your Elevator Pitch Fast As a business support manager, I’ve seen countless pitches fizzle out before ...
Inclusion Drives Business Success
Inclusion Drives Business Success In today’s evolving business environment, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ...
Solve Smarter with Pareto Thinking
Solve Smarter with Pareto Thinking We live in a world that worships busyness. We tick off to-do lists, join ...
Data Defence: Why Cyber Security Is Now Core to Manufacturing
Data Defence: Why Cyber Security Is Now Core to Manufacturing In the race to modernise operations and embrace ...
Innovation: Is It Inventing Something Novel Or Utilising Tools To Solve Problems?
What is innovation? Is it inventing something novel, or is it coming up with smart solutions based on the ...
IPA Newsletter July 2025
Welcome to the July 2025 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
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Thriving with Difficult Coworkers
How to Get Along with People in the Workplace Who Annoy You Let’s face it: the workplace is a microcosm of ...
Clear the Clutter: Master Your Inbox
If you're a working professional in Australia juggling deadlines, meetings, and maybe even a few school ...
The Rise of Smart Manufacturing Down Under
In the face of global economic shifts, evolving customer demands, and rising operational costs, Australian ...
Why Changeover Time Is Killing Your Productivity (And What to Do About It)
In manufacturing, the devil is in the details. Amid the hustle of meeting deadlines, maintaining quality, and ...
Next-Gen Work: How Aussies Are Adapting
The world of work is undergoing a profound transformation. For Australians across industries, the traditional ...
Forge Roadshow Brisbane: Where Innovation Meets Real Connection
Where Innovation Meets Real Connection The Forge Roadshow 2025 ignited in Brisbane with energy that was ...
De-Stress Your Workday: Top 5 Tips
Stress in the workplace is an ever-growing concern in Australia, with a significant impact on both individual ...
Rethinking Brainstorming: Every Idea Counts
In conference rooms, on shop floors, or during virtual huddles, brainstorming sessions often begin with ...
Not Just a Phase: The Green Shift in Aussie Shopping
Something’s changing—and it’s not just the weather. More and more of us are choosing eco-friendly products. ...
Mastering Your Time: A Skill Every Professional Needs Now More Than Ever
If you’ve ever felt like there just aren’t enough hours in the day — you’re not alone. In today’s world, time ...
Promoting a Positive Work Environment: A Key to Stronger Teams and Sustainable Success
A positive work environment isn't about free coffee, ping-pong tables, or casual Fridays — it’s about ...
For the record: Solar PPA versus lease-to-own
The decision about how to finance your solar power system depends on your particular financial goals, ...
Australia’s Skills Shortage: What It Means for You and Your Industry
Australia’s skills shortage isn’t just a headline — it’s a challenge that affects businesses, employees, and ...
Combating Cognitive Biases in Problem Solving: How to Spot and Stop Authority Bias
In today’s fast-paced professional environments, decisions often need to be made quickly — but not at the ...
Basic Body Language Tips You Need to Know When Networking
Whether you're at a local industry event in Sydney, a business breakfast in Brisbane, or a virtual meetup ...
Creating Collaborative Advantage: Unlocking Organisational Partnerships for Australian Industry Growth
In an increasingly complex and competitive landscape, Australian organisations face growing pressure to ...
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Psychosocial Hazards: What Australian Businesses Need to Know (and Do)
In recent years, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace have stepped into the spotlight — and rightly ...
Building Supply Chain Resilience in Australia: A Strategic Imperative for Industry Partners
Australia's industrial landscape is characterised by vast distances, a diverse economy, and increasing ...
The Power of a Learning Environment in Business: Why Continuous Learning Drives Long-Term Success
In a world where industries evolve overnight and technology constantly reshapes the way we work, one business ...
The Rise of Additive Manufacturing: How It Is Transforming Industry
Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, is revolutionising the industrial landscape. Once a ...
How to Truly Listen When Meeting Someone for the First Time
First impressions matter, and one of the most powerful ways to leave a lasting impact is by genuinely ...
How AI Is Transforming Manufacturing and Supply Chains
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a new era of efficiency and innovation in manufacturing and supply ...
Ice Breakers: Do’s & Don’ts for Effective Team Engagement
Ice breakers are a powerful tool for fostering team cohesion, setting the tone for meetings, and encouraging ...
The Key to Employee Retention: Building a Workplace Where People Stay
Attracting top talent is only half the battle—retaining them is where true success lies. Employee retention ...
LinkedIn Etiquette for Beginners
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking, job searching, and professional development. However, like any ...
How a Team Charter Can Hold a Team Accountable
Success in any organisation depends on more than just skills and experience—it thrives on alignment, clear ...
IPA Newsletter April 2025
Welcome to the April 2025 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
Networking Event Etiquette: Making the Right Impression
Networking events are valuable opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, and open doors to new ...
How to Follow Up with People After a Networking Event
Networking events are great opportunities to meet potential clients, partners, and industry influencers. ...
3 Ways to Leverage Relationships in Business
Success in business isn’t just about having the best product or service—it’s also about building and ...
The Benefits of Personal Power Over Leadership Power
In the workplace, power plays a critical role in how leaders influence and guide their teams. Traditionally, ...
5 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Problem-Solving Skills
Every organization faces problems, but when those problems keep recurring, it’s a clear sign that something ...
Maximising Value from Your Production Reporting
In today’s fast-paced and data-driven world, production reporting is not just about tracking numbers—it's ...
Why You Need to Follow-Up After Every Networking Event
Attending networking events is a great way to meet new contacts, build relationships, and open doors to new ...
From Quick Fixes to Lasting Impact: Rethinking How We Solve Problems
In industries like power generation, mining, and manufacturing, challenges are inevitable. Equipment breaks ...
The Important Topic of Building Trust Within Your Business
Trust is the foundation of any successful business. Whether between leadership and employees, team members, ...
What Separates the Best Networkers from the Rest
Networking is a powerful tool for professional and business growth, but not all networkers achieve the same ...
The Power of Employee Engagement: Driving Success in Your Organisation
Employee engagement is a crucial factor in the success of any organisation. Engaged employees are more ...
The Future of Manufacturing: How AI is Transforming the Industry
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by advancements in artificial ...
Finding Solutions Through Peer-to-Peer Networking
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving industries, collaboration is key to overcoming challenges and ...
Problem Solving is an Opportunity, Not an Imposition
In any industry, challenges are inevitable. Whether it's supply chain disruptions, operational ...
Referrals and Sales Turnover
In a competitive business landscape, referrals play a vital role in driving sales turnover and expanding ...
Continuous Improvement Resolutions for the New Year
The start of a new year is the perfect time to set fresh goals and reflect on how you can improve—both ...
Building Critical Thinking Skills for Effective Problem Solving
Effective problem-solving is critical for every business. But it’s not just about having a formalised ...
Getting Back into Work After the Holidays
The holiday season is a time to recharge, but returning to work afterward can feel overwhelming. Whether ...
IPA Newsletter January 2025
Welcome to the January 2025 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter. As Australia—and the ...
Recharge and Reflect: Why Rest Fuels Innovation
In the hustle of daily work, rest often takes a backseat. Yet, taking time to recharge is crucial for fueling ...
Holiday Inspiration: Applying Lean Principles to Your Festive Preparations
The holiday season is a time for joy and togetherness, but it can also bring stress with endless to-do lists, ...
Forge Ahead: How Partnerships Are Shaping the Business Success of 2025
Are you leveraging the partnerships that will define your success in 2025? Events like Forge Summit 2024 have ...
Involving the Wider Team in Developing Your Business Plan
When crafting a business plan, many entrepreneurs and business leaders instinctively turn to a small group of ...
How to get better at forecasting
The challenge for budget owners is being able to predict financial results with confidence. “We are going to ...
IPA Newsletter Spring Edition 2024
Welcome to the 2024 Spring edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
R U OK? What if they’re not OK?
R U OK? Day is recognised every September to encourage people to stay connected
The Transformative Power of a Unified One System ERP for Modern Businesses
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern business, managing diverse operations seamlessly is crucial for ...
Unlocking Process Excellence: A Journey to Enhanced Factory Performance
Welcome, fellow industry enthusiasts, to an exciting one-day event designed to delve deep into the realm of ...
How RCA Drives Our Continuous Improvement Journey
In our quest for excellence, every hurdle is an opportunity to grow. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) stands as our ...
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and its Relationship with Continuous Improvement
In the dynamic landscape of business operations, the pursuit of excellence is a perpetual journey. One of the ...
The First 10 Steps Roadmap of a Predictive Maintenance Pilot
Factory AI solutions offers a Predictive Maintenance (PdM) platform that sets a new standard of simplicity, ...
IPA Newsletter June 2024
Welcome to the June 2024 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
RCA: A Game-Changer in Enhancing Operational Efficiency
The Operational Efficiency Conundrum Operational efficiency is the heartbeat of any successful venture, yet ...
Unlocking Process Capability: A Roadmap to Operational Excellence
In the quest for sustainable growth and competitive advantage, organisations across industries are ...
Embracing Proactive Solutions with Root Cause Analysis
The Perils of Reactive Problem-Solving We've all been there—the seemingly endless cycle of addressing ...
The Untapped Potential: How Root Cause Analysis Transforms Business Dynamics
In today's fast-paced business environment, challenges are inevitable. However, the key lies not in merely ...
The Biggest Mistakes Most People Make When Doing RCA
One of the most significant mistakes people often make when conducting root cause analysis (RCA) is ...
IPA Newsletter March 2024
Welcome to the March 2024 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
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Success Needs a Plan
Strategic Planning is vital for organisations as it provides a roadmap for achieving long-term goals
Psychosocial Hazards – Understanding your obligations
Psychosocial hazards remain a hot topic within Australian workplaces.
IPA Newsletter December 2023
Welcome to the December 2023 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
IPA Newsletter September 2023
Welcome to the September 2023 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
IPA Newsletter June 2023
Welcome to the June 2023 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
IPA Newsletter March 2023
Welcome to the March 2023 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
The Magic of Influencing
The ability to influence can ignite incredible change in both our personal and professional lives.
Human & Organisational Performance
What is Human & Organisational Performance? Human and organizational performance examines the confluence ...
Time for Change!
At the start of every year, just as the last cold turkey sandwiches are being consumed
IPA Newsletter December 2022
Welcome to the December 2022 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
8 Ways to Eliminate Waste in Your Business & Supply Chain
In this episode at Supply Chain Partners TV & Podcast, Robert Briffa, the Business Manager at Efficiency ...
Find The Time You’ve Been Searching For
Are you struggling finding time to work on achieving your business goals?
Who Holds the Keys?
I came across a fascinating article that showed a pyramid hierarchy and how data flows up through various ...
Same Shit, Different Address
Over the decades I've been in manufacturing, I've come to notice that most businesses think their problems ...
Do you Really Know?
In, Episode 11, I explained how the Law of Diffusion of Innovation can be a barrier to manufacturing ...
Gaining Competitive Advantage using industry 4.0
A little while ago, I was on a live webinar with Simon Sinek, you know, the "Start With Why" guy. I'm a fan ...
IPA Newsletter September 2022
Welcome to the September 2022 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
Don't Sit on the Fence
Imagine going back to 1870 when the second Industrial Revolution, Industry 2.0, kicked off, marked by the ...
Why you might not be improving your OEE
OEE stands for Overall Equipment Effectiveness and I'm often engaged in conversations with manufacturing ...
Rear View Mirror
As a manufacturer, if you're not familiar with the concept of LEAD measures, let me share with you why ...
How to establish a clear asset management strategy and objectives
A well-defined asset management strategy is critical for any business. This article aims to help you ...
The Secret Sauce of Industry 4.0
I'm often asked how best to implement Industry 4.0, when really it's more a combination and application of ...
How the current labour shortage in Australia is affecting businesses
There is no doubt that the current global pandemic has had a significant impact on Australian businesses.
It Ain’t About The Platform!
As a manufacturer, if you take a look around the internet, you'll see all manner of software platforms ...
Why some manufacturers are getting stuck at Industry 3.0
When it comes to Industry 4.0 there are a lot of manufacturers stuck at Industry 3.0, simply because they ...
Technology Debt
Have you heard of the term ‘Technology Debt’ and how it applies to manufacturing automation?
Ticking Time Bombs!
Unless you know, and you're already doing something about it, there's a good chance that you don't know as a ...
People, Process & Systems
Why do some system implementations fail? Was there something missing from these projects? Is there a secret ...
Understand Why Asset Management is Important for Industry Success
Asset management is the process of selecting, acquiring, maintaining, and disposing of assets to maximise ...
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IPA Newsletter June 2022
Welcome to the June 2022 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
Communication is the foundation of leadership
Solutions begin with a conversation. But equally; ideas, relationships, understanding, trust etc start with a ...
What is the Best Way to Remove Water from Large Oil Systems?
Rafe sits down with Peter Dufresne – Executive Vice President at EPT Clean Oil to discuss all things ...
Personal Change & Strategy Deployment
It has been well documented that many business projects and strategies never reach their full potential for a ...
IPA Newsletter March 2022
Welcome to the March 2022 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
Strategy Development
Industry Partners Australia is a relatively small business with big ideas for the future!
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IPA Newsletter December 2021
Welcome to the December 2021 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
How I leave my emotional baggage at the door
The old saying 'practice what you preach' is easy to throw around when it suits you, but it's not so easy to ...
Reading & Self-Development
In the modern world, there are an unbelievable amount of self-development books available to us in many ...
The importance of knowing yourself and your team
I started working for Industry Partners Australia in my late 20's, and I was confident that I knew who I was ...
Leadership – The Second Discipline
Over the years, we have continued to develop and shape our Evolve2 Leadership Program.
Proactive Problem Solving for the Modern Organisation
Most companies aren't run much differently than they would have been 50 years ago.
My ideas on creating a motivational workspace
Whether you work in an office environment or from home, there is nothing worse than having a workspace that ...
Leadership - The Sixth Discipline
Over the years, we have continued to develop and shape our Evolve2 Leadership Program
Calling Out Bias in Problem-Solving
What are Cognitive Biases? Cognitive biases (heuristics) make a lot of sense.
IPA Newsletter September 2021 Edition
Welcome to the September 2021 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
Simple Steps to Improve Your Working From Home Setup
With more aches and pains than I care to admit to at my age, I did what we all do when we need answers to ...
Juggling Work-Life Balance
With all the technology available to us at our fingertips, I like to think that anyone can achieve the ...
Your Why Can Change
I moved away from corporate in February 2012 to start a new career in helping Australian businesses
2021 NSW Maintenance & Reliability Leadership Retreat Overview
Industry Partners Australia is a community of industry professionals who learn from each other and our expert ...
Driven to distraction!
One of the biggest issues we have in our working lives is that we just don’t seem to have enough time ...
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IPA Newsletter June 2021 Edition
Welcome to the June 2021 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
The Power of the Asset Lifecycle Curve!
For those of us who inhabit the world of reliability, the “P-F” curve is a familiar concept and identifies ...
Developing Your Pitch
Just over 12 months ago, we decided to break away from our old brand SIRF Roundtables.
Rebranding - Our Story
Just over 12 months ago, we decided to break away from our old brand 'SIRF Roundtables'.
Being A Boss And Not A Leader Is Useful At Times
I was recently reading an article about the differences between a Boss and a Leader
IPA Newsletter March 2021 Edition
Welcome to the March 2021 edition of the Industry Partners Australia newsletter.
My Door is always Open!
How many of you have heard your boss say that? How many of you have said it yourself?
Why Dogs Make Great Leaders!
In late 2019 I went out to buy a turtle and returned with a small Cavoodle puppy named Gus.
Are you feeling the burden of leadership already?
Many of us dream of becoming a leader with the high salary, recognition, and the power to make change and ...
Ikigai – The Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Every now and then and idea comes across your path that compels you to dig deeper. I am very glad I did.
The Forging of an Effective Team
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Henry Ford.
What is the problem...with your Continuous Improvement?
It is easy to get excited about how continuous improvement tools (Lean Six Sigma)
Top 20 skills employers need – Not another list!
This morning I set out to research the Top 10 skills employers needed in 2020.
A Glitch in the Matrix
Over the past ten years I have had the good fortune to visit over 150 different workplaces.
Process Improvement - Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets
Put simply, Process improvement (PI) involves the business practice of identifying, analysing, and improving ...
Extending the Life of Aging Assets
The right maintenance strategy is performing the right task at the right time.
Select Frontline Leaders with the Safety Gene
Most organisations have policies, metrics, and values around the safety of their employees and people
Will Supply Chains Change Forever?
COVID-19 has forced many countries and organisations, to rethink and transform their global supply chain ...
7 Ways to Improve The Impact of Your Lean Initiative (Part 7)
PART 7: Leverage the mutual interdependence of Systems Thinking and Lean (Michael Ballé 2009)
7 Ways to Improve The Impact of Your Lean Initiative (Part 6)
PART 6: Focus on “rapid learning cycles” * using A3 Thinking (and PDCA)
7 Ways to Improve The Impact of Your Lean Initiative (Part 5)
PART 5: Value Stream Mapping to work on real bottlenecks and constraints.
7 Ways to Improve The Impact of Your Lean Initiative | Leader Standard Work
PART 4: Leader Standard Work
7 Ways to Improve The Impact of Your Lean Initiative (Part 3)
PART 3: Understand the important role of leadership
7 Ways to Improve The Impact of Your Lean Initiative (Part 2)
PART 2: Begin with the end in mind.....and connect the vision with daily management
7 Ways to Improve The Impact of Your Lean Initiative (Part 1)
PART 1: Steering Group to guide and monitor
Industry Partners Australia Launch
Last night was our official launch of Industry Partners Australia.
Want to Become a Smart Factory? (Part 2)
If you read Part 1 then this article expands on a real-life example as to WHY you need to ensure the ...
Want to Become a Smart Factory? (Part 1)
If you're a manufacturer and you want to become a smart factory, there's a few things you MUST do if you're ...
Why do Business Improvement teams often struggle to get results?
As an organisation whose core services revolve around Lean and Continuous Improvement, Efficiency Works ...
What are Gemba Walks and why they should become Standard Work?
The Gemba Walk is a walk through the value creating (or destroying) processes of your business.
The Power Of Networking
Industry Partners Australia (previously SIRF Roundtables QLD & NSW) provides an opportunity for ...
Traits of a Great Change Leader
With so many companies looking to a make change in their culture, or general business aspects; we look to our ...
Courage - The real key to leadership
Courage for me is one the most understated traits of great leaders; we liberally discuss many other areas of ...