FlexTrades Marketing Team, Author at FlexTrades

In today’s manufacturing world, flexibility is key. Production demands can fluctuate rapidly, and companies need to be able to scale their workforce up or down quickly and efficiently. That’s where temporary workforce solutions come in. But not all solutions are created equal. FlexTrades is a different breed of service, unlike traditional staffing, which provides a unique value proposition to its clients.

What is FlexTrades?

FlexTrades is a national workforce solution company that specializes in providing skilled tradespeople to manufacturers. The company has a network of over 10,000 skilled technicians across the country, with expertise in a wide range of areas, including welding, machining, maintenance, and engineering. FlexTrades works with clients in a variety of industries including machinery and heavy equipment, aerospace and aviation, food production, FMCG, electronics, and more.

What Makes FlexTrades Different?

There are several things that make FlexTrades different from its competitors. First, FlexTrades has a rigorous screening process for its technicians. All technicians are required to pass a comprehensive skills and character interview with our team of technical recruiters. This ensures that clients get workers with the qualifications and experience needed for a successful deployment.

Second, FlexTrades offers a flexible project model. Clients can extend their FlexTrades project timeline and/or add additional skillsets to their projects. FlexTrades’ deep bench of skilled tradespeople and national travel model provide the agility and flexibility clients need to meet their production demands.

Third, FlexTrades provides customized support to its clients through a dedicated Client Solutions Manager. FlexTrades has a team who works closely with clients to understand their needs and ensure that they are getting the right tradespeople for the job.

Fourth, FlexTrades coordinates and manages all technicians while deployed onsite at a client facility. This relieves clients of any administrative duties and responsibilities that come from temporarily increasing their workforce headcount.

Lastly, FlexTrades is committed to safety. The company has a comprehensive safety program and department dedicated to instilling the Safety First mindset in every technician on the team.

How FlexTrades Can Help Your Business

If you are a manufacturer looking for a flexible and reliable project-based workforce solution, FlexTrades is a great option. The company’s rigorous screening process, flexible model, client and technician support, and commitment to safety make it a different breed of temporary workforce solution.

Explore some of the benefits of using FlexTrades further:

Get the qualified and experienced tradespeople you need.
Meet your production demands quickly and efficiently.

If you are interested in learning more about FlexTrades, connect with the Client Solutions Team today.

Enhancing Business Growth with Expert Engineering Solutions

In a market increasingly driven by candidates, our client faced the dual challenge of unexpected staff attrition and a rising demand due to acquiring new customers. The departure of key skilled professionals highlighted a critical gap in their knowledge management system, impeding their potential for growth. This client, a specialist in manufacturing high-pressure tanks and vessels, recognized the urgent need to standardize and document their manufacturing processes.

To address this need, a skilled engineer from FlexTrades was brought on board. Their primary mission involved a thorough analysis of existing manufacturing processes to establish or revise comprehensive work instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This strategic initiative allowed the client’s engineering team to redirect their focus towards capital improvement projects, a crucial factor in driving the company’s growth and success.

By entrusting FlexTrades with this pivotal task, the client not only streamlined their manufacturing processes but also fortified their foundation for sustainable expansion. This partnership underscored the value of specialized engineering expertise in adapting to market changes and securing a competitive edge.

Learn more about our engineering offerings here.

The days of manic rushing to Best Buy and Walmart before you’ve even had a chance to digest Thanksgiving dinner are over. In addition to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we now have Amazon Prime Day. Amazon Prime Day is a two-day event typically held in July where the masses are able to converge online to score obscenely amazing deals, with free shipping to boot, if you’re an Amazon Prime member.

Amazon first held Prime Day on July 15, 2015, as a celebration of their 20^th anniversary. But, due to the staggering success of the event, it turned into an annual affair. You’d think such an event would be the busiest time of year for the massive shopping site but it actually only ranks in fourth place, after Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the lead up to Christmas. Despite its ranking, 2022’s Prime day saw record sales of over $12 billion. Due to such a high demand, it only makes sense that behind the scenes things are being kicked into high gear.

The entire enterprise is a Swiss watch of moving parts. The scope of work doesn’t sound like much when you think about the fact that Amazon already does all this on a daily basis. However, when you factor in the massive uptick in quantity of items sold, therein lies the difficulty. On average, Amazon ships out roughly 1.6 million packages per day, a mere drop in the bucket compared to the more than 300 million items sold on Prime Day 2022. And the effects of this surge across their operations are a perfect case study to understand many of the factors impacting supply chain volatility across the larger economy. Doing so makes the risks and opportunities within this volatility much more obvious to other vendors of any kind.

Demand Fluctuations

Forecasting is key to any business. But the sales on Prime Day are unique and buying patterns are often spontaneous. This makes predictions precarious because both overestimations and underestimations can lead to dissatisfied customers and lost profits. Skillfully walking this tightrope is as much art as science and explains why experienced supply chain experts are so in demand.

Logistical Capabilities

Amazon typically averages a little over $1 billion in gross sales daily. This means that the numbers from 2022 were almost 10 times what happens during a “normal” day. Companies can’t increase their footprint by 10 times for just a day or two every year, so how do they handle surges like Prime Day or Black Friday? The answer is that sometimes they can’t. Websites crash, orders get backlogged, products sell out and that can’t be helped. Twitter revels in highlighting these struggles. But the goal is to avoid it at all costs and many companies do so with careful preparation and nimble planning. When facilities and workforces are well-prepared, and plans are closely monitored issues can be addressed appropriately in real time, consequences mitigated, and customers end up pleased.

Communication is Key

Whether you’re the scale of Amazon or just starting to scale up from a company of one, no business can handle a 10x increase in daily business alone. It takes great partners to do so successfully, and it takes great communication to get great partners. Amazon takes collaborative communication so seriously that it’s driven a lot of their other business research. Now every business doesn’t have to develop their own version of Amazon Web Services, but they should all invest in tools that make communicating with partners easier and more accurate.

There is much more that impacts the supply chain, for Amazon or any other business, than what has been covered in this article. But focusing on these three areas of emphasis has shed a little light on why some companies don’t survive supply chain disruptions while others, like Amazon, are able to thrive. If you’d like to learn more about supply chain resilience and how you can make it a reality at our company, you should read our recent blog about it too. Have other questions about supply chain? Send them to our Writing Team and keep your eyes out for future blogs.

New Year’s Resolutions Redone – “Debunking Resolutions”

New Year’s resolutions are often cited as the unattainable goals we set in January, and they are iconic for being forgotten in the new year. The truth is this – you don’t need to set a specific date to start a goal. In fact, my New Year’s resolution started last November, and I’m continuing it in 2023.

Putting pressure onto the meaning of a resolution implies that, after you complete it, there’s no other work to do. I’m here to help debunk new year’s resolutions and hopefully inspire you to create and maintain realistic and meaningful goals in your life… all year round.

My New Year’s Resolution in 2022

In 2022, I was determined to take control of my health. I vlogged (Video Blogged) every morning and talked about the good, the bad and the in between when it comes to weight loss. Two months later, my goal disappeared. Lack of motivation and passion were surely not the issues, so what went wrong?

Focusing on a diet plan outside of my budget range
Putting pressure on perfection with no room for error
Ignoring short-term goals within a long-term plan
Failing to figure out the why

Create Your Goals

Let’s talk about how you can avoid the same four mistakes that I made and crush your goals in 2023. First, we need to discuss SMART Goals. What is a SMART goal? I’m so glad you asked. Check out the graphic below.

Need help identifying SMART goals? Microsoft Office offers this free template: here.

Now, you may have learned about SMART goals in school, but let’s break them down a little bit, shall we? SMART goals are goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and monitored over time. Truthfully, these are, what I like to call, goals with intention. We discuss the power of manifestation, and this will help you achieve your goals. The reality is that when you sit down to create a goal, you immediately plan the steps you need to take in order to accomplish it. When a resolution is set, there’s no thought process. It’s just a desire you would like to achieve someday.

Setting Goals is all About Intent

The intent to do something can make your dream a reality. If you intend to get a promotion at your job by the end of the year, you are more likely to take the steps that are necessary to getting there. This is when the plan starts to map itself out:

Assisting with extra projects
Expressing specified interests in your quarterly reviews
Setting a timeline
Self-Assessing your current project completion

These simple steps are prime examples of SMART goals in action. You specified by the end of the year that you want that promotion. You measured the goal by pinpointing prime areas; areas in which you can showcase that you’re ready for new responsibilities. These goals are made attainable through your self-assessment and quarterly review check-ins. The promotion then becomes realistic as this plan fits within your daily routine and works with your schedule. You identified the time by stating when the promotion is happening and how often you would touch base to check on this goal.

Starting a 2023 Resolution in November

Yes, I started my New Year’s Resolution in November of 2022. And while the new year is a great time to reevaluate change in your life, my goal this year couldn’t wait. Again, my goal was to lose weight and take control of my health.

My initial resolution in 2022 resulted in me losing two lbs., or about one pound a month.

My resolutions for 2023 remained the same, but by creating SMART goals, I have been able to lose approximately 10 lbs. in the past two months, or about five pounds a month.

I am following the same exact routine this year as I did last year, but this time I found resources within my budget to ensure that my goal was both attainable and realistic. I now have weekly goals, a 6-month goal, and an end-of-year goal to keep me motivated and moving forward. These goals are accompanied by a realistic, imperfect schedule that works for me.

Next Steps

Debunk those new year’s resolutions, and don’t lose sight of what you want to achieve. Use SMART goals, think about your passions, and place intent behind these ideas. Watch your goals become reality, discuss them with those close to you, and enjoy the view as that New Year’s resolution voodoo simply fades away.

Feeling nervous before an interview is completely normal. Whether it’s your first or your fiftieth, preparing ahead of time can make all the difference. At FlexTrades, we connect skilled professionals with top employers nationwide, and we know exactly what hiring managers look for in a strong candidate.

If you want to stand out in your next interview, follow these six essential tips to ensure you’re prepared, confident, and ready to make a lasting impression.

1. Research the Company

Nothing raises a red flag faster than a candidate who hasn’t taken the time to learn about the company they’re interviewing with. Before your interview, be sure you understand:

What the company does
Its mission and core values
The industry it operates in

Instead of asking “Can you tell me about your company?”, come prepared with insightful questions that show you’ve done your homework.

2. Know Why You’re There

Employers don’t just want to know why you’re looking for a job—they want to know why you’re looking for this job. Go beyond generic answers like “I want a new challenge” or “I’m looking to grow my skills” and clearly communicate:

Why this position excites you
How your skills align with the role
What makes you a great fit for the company

Be honest. If you’re looking for a fresh start, say so. If you’re passionate about the industry, explain why. Authenticity goes a long way.

3. Prepare for Common Interview Questions

You already know tough questions are coming, so don’t let them catch you off guard. Before the interview, write down five work experiences that highlight:

Challenges you’ve overcome
Mistakes you’ve learned from
Accomplishments you’re proud of

Hiring managers don’t expect perfection, but they do expect self-awareness and accountability. When discussing past conflicts, keep it professional—avoid getting caught up in office drama. Focus on what you learned and how it shaped your approach to work.

4. Listen and Take Notes

An interview is a two-way conversation. While the company is evaluating you, you should also be evaluating them. Before your interview:

Make a list of “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” for your next role
Actively listen for key details about the job, company culture, and expectations
Write down important takeaways and any questions that arise during the discussion

Taking notes not only helps you remember critical details, but it also demonstrates genuine interest to the hiring team.

5. Ask the Right Questions

At the end of the interview, you’ll be asked, “Do you have any questions for us?” Always say yes. This is your opportunity to:

Show that you’ve been paying attention
Gain valuable insight into the role and company
Prove that you’re serious about the opportunity

Here are some great questions to ask:

What challenges will this position bring?
What does success look like in this role?
Why is this position open?
How does this role contribute to the company’s overall success?

Avoid asking about salary, PTO, or benefits in the first interview. Save those discussions for the recruiter.

6. Follow Up the Right Way

A simple follow-up can make a big impression. Consider:

Sending a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview
A handwritten thank-you note (a rare but memorable touch)

Be patient. Hiring decisions take time. While it’s okay to check in if you haven’t heard back after a week or two, avoid excessive calls or emails.

Final Thoughts

Interviews don’t have to be stressful. By preparing ahead of time, staying engaged during the conversation, and following up professionally, you’ll increase your chances of landing the job.

At FlexTrades, we help skilled professionals find career opportunities that match their experience and goals. If you’re looking for your next opportunity, explore our open positions today.