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Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Manufacturing is challenging, but if you are connected to a community of leaders, you can elevate your skills, solve your problems and grow your business! MakingChips was launched in 2014 to equip and inspire the metalworking nation. Hundreds of episodes and a million downloads later, it’s an industry-leading source of information, inspiration, and entertainment for manufacturing leaders of all types. It’s hosted by Jason Zenger and Nick Goellner, two multi-generational manufacturing leaders, and they’re joined by a rotating panel of expert guests – including Titan Gilroy (TITANS of CNC), John Saunders (NYC CNC), Mark TerryBerry (Haas Automation), and many more. Join us as we tackle the topics that keep you up at night - leadership, operations, technology, growth, workforce development and culture.
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Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders
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Archives
Now displaying: December, 2014
Dec 17, 2014

Do you go to the bar or do you take action?  Jason and Jim will step you through 11 points to consider WHEN the recession hits the Metalworking Nation.  Yes, this subject is a bummer, but MakingChips is going to Equip Manufacturing Leaders no matter the subject.

Women in manufacturing

Yoda says “No!  Try not.  Do or Do Not.  There is no try”

1.      Pay attention to your cash flow – like a hawk – know the numbers.

2.      Talk to your staff and be honest about what is going on.

3.      Be honest with your partners.

4.      Know your core competency and stick to your business model.

5.      Minimize purchasing and reduce expenses – can you insource any of your services?

6.      Lower your overhead.

7.      Minimize your labor costs (OT) – make strategic decisions sooner rather than later.

8.      Realize your capacity level.

9.      Negotiate with banks.

10.   Negotiate with your landlord.

 

11.   Capitalize on opportunities.

Dec 17, 2014

This episode is about tactics for manufacturing companies WHEN the recession hits.  That’s right, I said WHEN, not IF.  If there is one thing that nobody understands, it’s our economy.  There is little evidence of a recession proof economy, so we need to spend some time discussing how to better prepare.

Are you ready for a recession?

1.      Do you have a diversified customer base?

2.      Maintain proper overhead (building ego).

3.      Review your debt – did those decisions result in a return?

4.      Strategic purchase of capital equipment

a.      Measure your ROI

b.      Invest in technology to stay productive and ahead of the competition

c.      Don’t spend money just for a write off…have a strategic reason

d.      Should you pay cash or get a loan?

5.      Does your company provide a critical part or service that is recession proof?

6.      Is your customer base recession proof or vulnerable?

 

7.      Is your product or process difficult to replicate or will your customers be looking to lower their costs?

Dec 17, 2014

IMTS started as The First National Machine Tool Builders Exposition in Cleveland in 1927.

Post WWII, the show moved to Chicago in 1955.

What is the IMTS hangover?

What did you learn at IMTS that you can take back to your business?

 

What is the best way to prepare for a show, such as IMTS?

Dec 17, 2014

Do social media platforms, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and others matter to the manufacturing industry?  We will discuss WHY you should be on social media, WHAT platforms to consider, and HOW to get started.

SEO

Brand Awareness

Thought Leadership

Influencing a New Generation

Social Media Platforms

How often?

What is the process?

What should you do first?

Social Media PPC

 

Jim’s eBook “Social Media in Manufacturing”

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