Sherlock Holmes locked horns with Professor Moriarty; Batman went 'kapow' with the Joker; now you must do battle with the dastardly, difficult employee.
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Bosses across the globe are failing as leaders: their direct reports would rather suffer a bad hangover, do housework or see their credit card bill arrive than face sitting through a performance discussion with them.
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WM's Shop Talk gets under the skin of the men and women on the frontline of UK factories. Here, Anne Kirkland of Aimia Foods discusses work, football, Egyptology... and what's retirement?
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One in three manufacturers depends on an employee aged over 65, according to our recent People & Productivity report. WM united grassroots site managers to discuss the practical challenges presented by an ageing workforce
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Boosting the manufacturing sector's image in the eyes of young people is vital to ensuring new talent is coming through to replace an ageing workforce, says EAL's head of business development Elizabeth Bonfield
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Rolls-Royce, our showpiece manufacturer, says it's time for the government to deliver on a formal industrial strategy. The blueprint must begin with a national curriculum steeped in maths and science, says Colin Smith, director of engineering. Max Gosney reports
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Engineering's finest will go head to head in a series of events at the Skills Show to crown outstanding apprentice talent. Tickets are hotter than London 2012 and they are guaranteed to boost your career prospects. Max Gosney finds out more:
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Boys and girls still aren't growing up wanting to be engineers, the Siemens VIP panel debate in Manchester heard. Vince Cable joined a group of industry leaders to discuss why. Max Gosney reports
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WM's Shop Talk gets under the skin of the men and women on the frontline of UK factories. Here, Siemens Mobility's supply chain director Gary Winstanley reveals his dreams of stardom
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There are few labour market matters surrounded by the degree of universal approbation enjoyed by apprenticeships. However, a newly announced government review reinforces suggestions that worthy principles are not always matched by good practice. Ken Hurst tests the training temperature among manufacturers
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Susan Evans, business development manager for sector skills council Semta, explains why businesses must promote female participation levels in typically male-dominated industries
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WM's Shop Talk gets under the skin of the men and women on the frontline of UK factories. Here, Arla's production manager Jason Cairns explains why his Christmas memories aren't entirely festive
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It only takes one to wreck the entire team – so, asks Annie Gregory, what's the best way of dealing with poor performers
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WM's Shop Talk gets under the skin of the men and women on the frontline of UK factories.
Kirk White, 30, engineering team leader at Gripple in Sheffield, recalls life-changing adventures and apprenticeship ambitions.
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From winning new orders to earning yourself a promotion, Max Gosney reveals why entering an award could be the smartest business move you ever make
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With many management training programmes facing the axe, Annie Gregory asks the future price of today's cost cutting
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Learning to drive a forklift truck is only one part of the safety equation. Equally important is the degree of competence, both of the operators and their supervisors, as Laura Cork discovers
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On the eve of the 20th Best Factory Awards, WM united four former winners and a Cranfield judge to debate what separates the best sites from the rest. Here's a summary of top tips from the expert panel
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Job boards are becoming all the rage, promising a miracle cure to recruitment frustrations. The sites pledge both broader exposure of vacancies and better matched candidates. But does the reality live up to the hype? Brian Wall finds out
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Gregg Gordon, senior director of manufacturing practice at workforce management system business Kronos, says people power must be harnessed to gain competitive advantage
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Ann Watson, managing director of specialist awarding organisation EAL (EMTA Awards Limited), addresses the need for manufacturing firms to apply lean tactics across the board
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Manufacturing has to muscle in on the school curriculum to end the shortage of skilled workers that has long haunted the sector, rules WM's new industry think tank, the Leaders Forum in association with Bourton Group
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Automation and technology have run amuck among the past decade's employment statistics, but Ken Hurst discovers they may only have served to muffle the tick of a demographic time bomb that could cost manufacturing's renaissance dear
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The government promises to put its full weight behind apprentices. Should we all be cheering? Annie Gregory thinks it depends on your age
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As the emphasis cautiously shifts from just staying alive, Annie Gregory asks how managers are arming themselves with new ideas, techniques and strategies to cope with the world post-recession
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