Steering a Course

Ian Featherstone

Ian Featherstone is a cabinetmaker, machinist, business advisor, mentor and leadership coach, and the owner of Glass Half Full. He specialises in the construction industry, particularly the joinery & cabinetry sector.

For more information or to fi nd out how you can move your team forward, please visit www. glasshalff ull.co.nz

Managing people through change

Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher said, “Change is the only constant

in life.”

At a time when we hope that the rate of change will settle, it seems to be speeding up, with more surprises around every corner.

However, if we take a proactive approach to managing change with our teams, we can help them get to a better place and get used to the fact that change is constant and something we need not fear.

For things to get better, for improvement to take place, this requires change.

In life and in nature, cycles of change happen daily and throughout the seasons. It’s often not the change itself that makes people nervous and anxious; it’s when change is not anticipated, happens as a surprise or is a shock, that emotions can kick in and make the transition challenging to understand and accept.

As with most things in business and psychology, there are processes that can help us. The diagram above illustrates very well the roller coaster ride of emotions, understanding, adaptation and ultimately acceptance that can occur for most of us through the process of change.

Our role as leaders, is to help people see that the status quo is not an option, to paint a picture of the future and show a pathway to get there. We must understand that every person is unique and should be allowed to experience their own version of their current reality. This reality is based entirely on their own perceptions, fears, and emotions. We should expect resistance, so be prepared to listen, support and coach people around the obstacles and towards an understanding that the change is a good idea. The grip that fear has on them, will loosen and they will be free to adapt, to try doing things diff erently and accept that change is good and hopefully, be looking out for opportunities to change more, for the better, in the future.

Remember to share your vision of the future, tell them what you’ve just told them and just when you think you are done, tell them again and accept questions to gain an understanding every step of the way. The aim is to have a team of willing participants reach the future state who are ready to take the next opportunity for change, when they see it.

Easier CNC links

PRO100 and Design2Cam Ltd are pleased to announce the release of the re-designed and enhanced CNC Linking module – adding complex functionality usually only found in more expensive software design packages.

Built with the same “easy-to-use” ethos that makes PRO100 so simple to operate, the new CNC Linking module enables you to add, then view, the machining within the project before sending the files to your CNC. This allows for everything to be created and viewed within the PRO100 project, allowing for accuracy of drilling and machining because any element of a design can have machining attached. No more having to edit your design in a separate CAD/CAM program!

Adding even more value, PRO100’s CNC library can also be used by any PRO100 user without requiring a CNC licence. This means your project can be opened by the production department for checking before being sent through to your CNC machine.

Once approved, the project is simply exported to the integrated ActCut cad/ cam software. This is a simple process where the parts are nested and the layouts (and labels if required) are produced alongside the g-code needed by your CNC.

PRO100 software includes a basic CNC library to get you producing from day one. You can change and alter the contents of the library and add and save new cabinets to be used again. With the ability to save machining templates in the CNC module, different machining can be applied to any part, quickly and easily. The benefit? Diff erent drilling and machining patterns are simpler to accommodate in your designs, and faster to get into production.

As well as the new functionality, PRO100 still has all the standard features that have made it such a popular choice for design and production workshops across NZ:

• Drag and drop libraries • Stretchable cabinets • Replace cabinets, items or objects • 360 Panorama export (View 3d with 3d Goggles) • Manual dimensioning - ability to add on diff erent layers • Hide cabinets, items or objects • Import 3d Models directly into the software • Apply text to the project • 2D Shape editor - these shapes can be send used in the CNC module • Align feature • Distribute feature

For further details or to download a trial version of PRO100 go to www. pro100.co.nz

YOUR PARTNER FOR CNC CUTTING & EDGEBANDING

At Precision Cad Cam we provide professional CNC cutting & edge banding services for cabinet making businesses & contractors.

SERVICES

CNC cutting & drilling Edge banding CAD Detailing

If you are a cabinet making business and are looking for help to ramp up manufacturing capacity & take more jobs with existing resources, you are at the right place. Whether it’s Kitchen, wardrobes, vanities or furniture, We help with contract cutting your job to your desired specifi cation. Your orders include Shop drawings, Bill of materials & Labels on each panel.

We are your partners at challenging times

• • Work over-fl ow due to staff shortage? • • Need backup for manufacturing? • • Increase production with the least investment? • • Wanting to start a cabinet making business? • • Machinery Breakdowns?

CONTACT US

Phone: +64 09 218 9616 Mobile: 0221 548 182

Call us to discuss

Sales & Customer service info@precisioncadcam.co.nz