Cheryl and Sophia
In 2010, Wiscraft devoted more than 2,000 hours of training for nearly 70 employees, volunteers and supporters of the organization.
Wiscraft developed and follows a Strategic Business Plan with a strong customer, financial, and employee focus. The majority of Wiscraft employees have cultivated a variety of skills allowing them to work on numerous customer orders through a program that documents specific training, response, outcomes and goals. Semi-annual evaluations are completed for every production worker with documented results reflecting the growth and expanded skills. This flexibility and dedication to achieving positive training outcomes results in a skilled, flexible and successful workforce focused on meeting customer needs.
The Wiscraft management team adheres to principles of strong leadership, respect, and participation at every level. Teamwork throughout the organization paves the way for success at every level including expanded skills and self-confidence, ownership of customer satisfaction, participation in new methodologies from direct labor employees, and a policy of promotion from within.
Wiscraft’s President Jim Kerlin regularly visits every workstation. Kerlin’s engineering background and finely-tuned sensitivity to the Wiscraft workforce enables him to provide motivation, information and a review of each employee’s operational effectiveness. This practice provides the management team with invaluable insight into areas ranging from employee satisfaction to potential process improvements. It also upholds an atmosphere of collaboration and respect among co-workers.
Wiscraft also holds a variety of employee meetings to communicate directly and receive feedback. Wiscraft hosts a monthly employee luncheon and each manager communicates news or critical information; the President gives a “State of Wiscraft” address covering enterprise-wide updates including financials, new products and upcoming events. Employees are invited to participate in the “conversation,” and this frequently leads to implemented improvements to processes or the work environment.