Client Overview

This Northwest Ohio-based manufacturing company employs over 400 team members across multiple facilities. With a frontline-heavy workforce and a wide range of roles—from production and operations to supervisory and administrative—clear communication is essential for day-to-day success and long-term growth.

WorkSpring partnered with the internal HR team to deliver customized training that would bridge communication gaps between departments and levels of leadership.

The Challenge

Despite a strong operational foundation, the company was experiencing barriers that impacted culture and collaboration:

• A lack of shared language across departments created misunderstandings
• Employees and supervisors struggled to give constructive feedback effectively
• Many team members were uncertain how to approach difficult conversations
• Communication habits varied widely by role, location, and leadership style

The company recognized that improving communication was key to improving teamwork, engagement, and employee satisfaction. 

 Our Solution

WorkSpring designed and delivered a customized communication training series tailored to the needs of a multi-site, frontline-heavy environment. The program focused on:

• Non-verbal awareness: helping employees recognize and manage both their own body language and others’
• Verbal communication strategies: including how to initiate and navigate difficult conversations
• Constructive feedback techniques that apply across roles—from shop floor to leadership
• Interactive delivery: using real-world examples, role-playing, and scenario-based learning

Participants received communication toolkits and access to follow-up coaching resources to reinforce learning in the weeks following each session.

Highlights

• Sessions kicked off by asking participants how they wanted to improve their communication
• Workshops started with non-verbal acuity—building awareness of physical cues that influence tone and clarity
• Delivered practical frameworks for tough conversations and feedback across job levels
• Built in role-play exercises, small group discussion, and applied examples from participants’ own workplace experiences
• Each session concluded with participant surveys to provide instructor feedback and shape future programming

The training was designed not just to improve professional communication, but also to offer life skills participants could use beyond work.

The Results

Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants have reported:

• Increased confidence in navigating difficult conversations
• A better understanding of how to tailor communication across teams and roles
• Appreciation for the interactive, hands-on format that brought the material to life

The company sees this program as a key component of its broader leadership development strategy.

What Our Member Had To Say

“The training was well-structured and a strong addition to our leadership development efforts. It was engaging, well-paced, and provided practical takeaways that leaders at all levels could begin applying in their day-to-day work. Communication and coordination leading up to the event were smooth, making the process simple on our end, which was very much appreciated!”
— HR Compliance Manager

Why It Matters

Effective communication drives better performance, stronger teamwork, and a safer, more inclusive work environment. Especially in complex, frontline-heavy industries, giving employees tools to express themselves—and hear each other—is essential.

By investing in communication training, this organization is creating a culture where clarity, respect, and collaboration are the standard.

Need Help Navigating HR Transitions?

Let’s build a program that meets your teams where they are—and takes them further.

Contact us at: workspring.org/training/contact-us