Before I discuss automation benefits, let me clarify that I understand automation will change and eliminate jobs in all industry segments. Those jobs are held by people who take pride in what they do. Those jobs pay the bills, allowing people to raise their families and make a living. And now automation is threatening some of those jobs. It's not surprising that people fear automation.

Managing a manufacturing business on a day-to-day basis can be taxing, and it's easy to become consumed with daily hands-on items, forgetting the big picture. Here are some tips to help your manufacturing company evolve and grow.

Change can be difficult—and it can be even more difficult to communicate. People come to work and try to do the best job they can. They are proud of their work and good at what they do. When we ask them to change or do it differently, they can feel slighted.