This week on the MakingChips podcast, Host Nick Goellner, Jim Carr, and Jason Zenger discuss the Agile Marketing Process and how to have a marketing program in place that allows you to pivot when the time comes!
Segments:
- The guys discuss this week's manufacturing news. (6:12)
- What is ProShop: (10:40)
- What great marketing is and what great marketing isn't. (16:05)
- GPCT Workshop: Goals.Plans.Challenges.Timelines.(19:10)
- Begin with the end in mind—start creating vision backlogs. (20:55)
- Keys to success: Prioritize, Protect your sprints, Pull don't push, Park. (29:45)
- 4 keywords for meetings: Daily stand up, Plan, Review, Reflect. (35:15)
- How does a marketing program work for a small job shop? (37:42)
- The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe!
This week on the MakingChips Podcast, Jim Carr shares 6 tips on what CARR Machine & Tool has done to pivot from prototypes to becoming a full production machine shop.
- Jim shares this week's manufacturing news - "Making Robots Smarter & Safer." (7:05)
- Tip #1: How do you quote a production job? (17:44)
- Tip #2: The importance of manufacturing planning. (21:25)
- Tip #3: Determining the correct amount of pieces in your active setup. (24:10)
- Tip #4: Know your tools. (28:00)
- Tip #5: Understanding your Customer Demands (36:38)
- Tip #6: Look into automation, robots, and cobots. (38:10)
This week's guest, Ted Ladzinski from Motor City Spindle Repair joins co-hosts Jim Carr, Jason Zenger, and Nick Goellner to discuss ways to increase your spindles’ longevity, how to know when to replace your spindle, as well as how to use short- and long-term social media strategies to generate leads.
The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe!
Segments:
- Nick shares this week's manufacturing news. (7:10)
- Nick introduces this week's guest Ted Ladzinski. (10:00)
- Ted shares his story on he got started in manufacturing. (12:56)
- Creating an impactful social media strategy in manufacturing. (14:18)
- Ted gives insight into creating a short- vs long-term strategy on social media. (21:00)
- Ted shares how to know when it's time to replace your spindle. (40:20)
- Tips to increase your spindles’ longevity. (48:15)
Co-host Jim Carr, Jason Zenger and Nick Goellner are joined by Andrew Crowe, Ranken Technical College Instructor and Senior Machinist at Seiler to discuss the diversity and skills gap the manufacturing industry is facing today.
Tune in as you learn Andrew's vision to create a more diverse manufacturing community and a ways recruiting, educating, and funding are impacting the skills gap we face today in this episode of MakingChips.
Segments:
- Jason shares positive news about Zenger's Industrial. (3:14)
- The guys introduce this week's guest, Andrew Crowe. (8:29)
- Andrew shares his experience during the 2008 recession. (12:30)
- Andrew gives insight on why and how he got involved in the manufacturing industry. (13:09)
- The guys discuss diversity in manufacturing. (19:40)
- Dissecting the skills gap and diversity in manufacturing: Image or awareness? (21:35)
- Ways to expose manufacturing to different communities and cultures. (23:02)
- Andrew shares his vision to create a more diverse manufacturing community. (24:18)
- Andrew shares his strategies in bringing in more talent into the workforce. (26:25)
- Awareness, curriculum and funding: How to solve them? (32:00)
A year without IMTS, FabTech, etc. have you wondering what comes next for industry tradeshows? In this episode, Jim, Jason, and Nick talk all about the year without tradeshows. They cover everything from attendees to exhibitors and ways you can still market yourself without using large tradeshows.
Connect with us: www.MakingChips.com/contact
The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe!
Segments:
- The podcast talks IMTS and trade shows during COVID 1:02
- Jim shares his good news… a new HAAS on the shop floor 3:18
- Jim shares manufacturing news… Second-quarter GDP plunges 5:10
- Jason introduces this week’s topic: Why you go to trade shows 9:20
- Going to trade shows to see new technology 10:03
- Nicks talks about translating into the digital market 13:40
- Jason asks, is losing IMTS a gain or a loss for your business? 14:39
- Alternatives to trade shows: smaller shows and digital spaces 16:00
- Finding the missing social connection that shows provide 19:51
- Going to trade shows to buy and sell 22:43
- Jason asks, what’s the alternative to selling at a trade show? 23:46
- Are trade shows here for the long haul? The hosts perspectives 27:38
- Chiptober Fest! Come join us 30:55
What exactly is EOS, and what is an L10 meeting? This week on the MakingChips podcast, co-hosts Jim Carr, Jason Zenger, and Nick Goellner share their experiences and discuss how to use the Entrepreneurial Operating System for leadership success.
Segments:
- Jason and Nick share their thoughts on expansion. (3:33)
- Jim announces 'Chiptober Fest' for the MakingChips Grand Opening event. (5:45)
- Jim shares this week's manufacturing news: Indiana Lost nearly 8,000 Manufacturing Jobs in 2019 (6:50)
- Jim reads the first paragraph of Letting Go of The Vine, of the book Traction. (11:45)
- What is EOS? The Definition of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (12:39)
- Nick defines the process of kicking off your EOS (17:00)
- What is an L10 meeting and why is it called L10? (21:08)
- The structure of a Level 10 meeting: (23:46)
- One of the most important aspects of the L10 meeting- Rocks. (27:23)
- The 3rd aspect of the L10 Meeting: Client/Employee Headlines ( 30:40)
- What are To-Do lists? (31:40)
- Identify, discuss, solve: Issues List (32:27)
- Differentiating the types of issues that belong on the issues list. (35:07)
- L10 Meeting: What is a parking lot? (38:55)
- The guys share their success using L10 meetings for their businesses. (40:38)
Are you communicating with your team effectively? Step up your communication skills this week as Jason Zenger shares 10 effective tips to improve your communication as a leader.
Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact
The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe!
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Segments:
- Jason discusses "miscommunication" (1:02)
- Jim shares good news about Carr Machine & Tool. (5:28)
- The guys discuss this week's manufacturing news. (7:44)
- Tip #1: How to be self aware to understand your team better. (14:30)
- Tip #2: Why you should assume the best in others when you communicate. (15:47)
- Tip #3: Have a mutual best outcome in mind while communicating. (17:01)
- Tip #4: Be direct and forthcoming, but be empathetic. (19:02)
- Tip #5: Be open with your team: Share your thoughts and ideas with your team. (20:33)
- Tip #6: Understand people can handle bad news better than they can handle lack of communication. (21:30)
- Tip #7: Be specific with what you're asking for. (22:48)
- Tip #8: Seek to understand your team. (27:20)
- Tip #9: Over-communicate. (29:54)
- Tip #10: Learn how others like to receive communication. (31:14)
In this episode, MakingChips hosts, Jim Carr, Jason Zenger, and Nick Goellner interview MakingChips Agency Director Jessica Peterson about what it means to have brand standards for your manufacturing business and why having a logo doesn't translate to having a brand.
Segments:
- The guys discuss this week's manufacturing news. (5:08)
- The guys introduce this week's topic of Brand standards with special guest, MakingChips Marketing Director Jessica Peterson (9:00)
- Jessica shares the importance of brand standards and where to start. (11:16)
- Jessica gives insight on what should be part of your brand standards: Brand Book, Style Guide, and Media Kit (13:32)
- Jessica shares some core elements your brand book should include. (15:48)
- Jessica explains what a Media Kit is. (20:17)
- Jason defines what a Favicon is and how to use it properly. (25:05)
- The guys discuss the importance of defining your brand standards if you want to be a company that scales. (27:08)
- Jessica shares how a small shop can start creating their brand book. (30:40)
Email Jessica at Jessica@MakingChips.com
When it comes to managing a sales team, it’s important not to confuse efforts with results. In this episode, co-host Nick Goellner draws on his experience as AME Sales & Marketing Director to discuss key sales results and metrics as they relate to manufacturing sales team management, customer service, and marketing efforts.
Segments:
- Co-host Jim Carr discusses what is keeping him positive at work right now. (1:37)
- Nick gives a Boring Bar update, announcing staff changes and new employment opportunities. (2:37)
- Co-host Jason Zenger gives a business update and introduces the topic of journalistic integrity. (4:49)
- The guys discuss this week’s manufacturing news regarding U.S. manufacturing hitting a 14-month high. (8:47)
- The guys introduce this week’s topic of sales and the impact it has on manufacturing businesses and how sales are managed at each business
- Nick explains his four types of sales management: territory, account, opportunity, call; and defines sales force enablement and how it can improve a team. (16:32)
- Nick provides details on the types of sales meetings he uses, including the frequency, order of operations, and desired outcomes. (20:19)
- The guys discuss utilizing the CRM (22:20)
- Nick explains the difference between group vs one-on-one meetings at AME and provides details about performance criteria including: new business development, key account management, brand building. (29:33)
- Nick defines his expectations of what it means to be a brand builder and explains how he evaluates his sales team, including factors he uses to adjust compensation. (36:40)
Mentioned on the Show:
Times are changing and as manufacturing leaders, we need to adjust with these times. "In business, if we don't change, we don't grow and we don't survive." - Robin Johnson, a change agent, with a passion for helping organizational leaders move their organizations from current to future state joins MakingChips to discuss how to become emotionally intelligent as a leader during these changing times.
Segments:
- Jim and Jason discuss how they are changing and adapting with their businesses through a global pandemic. (1:42)
- Jason and Jim discuss manufacturing news about the H.R. 6690 Act (5:46)
- Guest Robin Johnson explains what emotional intelligence is. (13:41)
- Robin gives insight on how to use emotional intelligence as a manufacturing leader.
- Robin discusses the importance of having your employees feeling great about wanting to work for your business. (20:45)
- The 16 elements to emotional intelligence. (26:54)
- Robin and Jim discuss how to help nurture your employees to accept change. (28:18)
- The types of leaders you should look for to help grow your business. (34:35)
- Robin shares insight on how she got into change and development.
Mentioned on the Show:
In business and in life we all experience pain we can’t control. Jim Carr reflects on the recent death of his parents and gives practical advice on how business leaders can prepare for personal loss and grief.
Segments:
- Jason Zenger talks about the recent trend of companies coming back to ZENGER’S from large national integrators and discusses the value of high-level customer service. (3:20)
- Jason and Jim discuss manufacturing news about how the Reshoring Initiative aims to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. (5:15)
- Jim discusses multi-generational machine shops and the importance of mitigating a personal and professional plan for when a leader passes on. (13:30)
- Jason and Jim discuss the role of open communication in succession planning and the value of hiring of outside professionals to help. (18:10)
- Jim discusses the importance of creating a trust to avoid probate and insulate assets from creditors. (24:30)
- Jim answers Jason’s questions about the most valuable lessons he learned from his father. (28:30)
- Jim discusses the evolution of leadership styles from his father’s generation to now and explains how creating core values and adapting to modern business practices has helped him navigate succession and loss. (32:15)
Mentioned on the Show:
Don’t Give Up on Bringing Manufacturing Back to the U.S. (article)
Co-hosts Jim Carr, Nick Goellner and Jason Zenger talk about their past experiences with fear in business, including navigating recession, unemployment, and the current pandemic, then offer seven steps for leading through fear, along with personal applications and examples.
Segments:
- Nick and Jim to talk about their most fearful time in business (1:30)
- Jim gives an update on Carr Machine Tool’s new business (5:15)
- Jason introduces manufacturing news about Apple’s manufacturing base (6:45)
- Jim, Nick and Jason talk about overcoming fear as business leaders and provide commentary on how taking certain steps have led to successful innovation, expansion and reinvention. (10:15)
- Jim, Nick, and Jason add their final thoughts and reflections. (27:40)
Mentioned on the show:
Killing Marketing: How Innovative Businesses Are Turning Marketing Cost Into Profit, by Richard Rose
Related links: https://sports.yahoo.com/apple-looking-diversify-manufacturing-headphones-072853788.html
Guest Steve Schubert, Chief Operating Officer at Advanced Machine & Engineering Co., talks with co-hosts Jim Carr, Nick Goellner, and Jason Zenger about his rise from high school apprentice to a manufacturing industry leader and provides advice and perspective on recruiting and training the next generation of manufacturers.
Segments:
- Jason provides a positive outlook on business-related changes prompted by COVID-19 (2:10)
- Nick introduces manufacturing news about a recent drop in Europe’s automotive industry sales (4:05)
- Guest Steve Schubert explains how he first got involved in manufacturing (10:00)
- Steve discusses his experience with formal apprenticeship and gives some thoughts on alternative educational opportunities and what it will take to build future manufacturing leaders (21:00)
- Steve gives insight into recruitment and discusses specific sources for finding future employees (28:00)
- Jason and Jim discuss whether or not it is the company’s responsibility to teach soft skills (33:00)
- Steve provides advice on how small companies can benefit from apprenticeship programs and gives final thoughts on the benefits of a career in manufacturing (36:00)
- Jim, Nick, and Jason provide final takeaways (42:00)
Mentioned on the show:
Rock River Valley Tooling and Machining Association
German Precision Tool Industry Projects Decline in Consumption
When it comes to your cutting tools, how do you know when it's time to resharpen or recycle? This week on the MakingChips podcast, hosts Jim Carr, Jason Zenger, and Nick Goellner discuss when and why you should consider resharpening your cutting tools as well as the cost to resharpen versus cost of buying brand new.
It’s tempting, in rapid response, to abandon procedures or suspend protocols in order to solve immediate crisis situations. This week’s guest, Noah Goellner, lean manufacturing expert and COO of Hennig Inc., provides practical methods for incorporating your company’s core values and internal processes to produce successful solutions, no matter the timeline or challenge.
MakingChips guest Jim Griffith, an employment attorney for HR Source, answers timely questions about individual state and federal marijuana laws, and provides manufacturing leaders with three action steps to help address management and human resources issues related to the use of legalized cannabis.
Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), talks with MC hosts Jim Carr, Nick Goellner, and Jason Zenger to provide insight into the current economic conditions for manufacturers during COVID-19 and offer an economic forecast for the future of our industry.
In a timely interview, Jim Carr, Nick Goellner, and Jason Zenger sit down with Cook County IL Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle, who oversees one of the nation’s largest public health and hospital systems as well as one of the nation’s largest criminal justice systems, to discuss details of the COVID-19 management and response, the CARES Act, and how to utilize current and future available resources to meet the demands of the crisis.
Are there any positives in this pandemic? With social distancing, working from home, schools and businesses closing, and travel being restricted, the physical and psychological impact of COVID-19 is hitting us all. The MakingChips podcast has always focused on equipping and inspiring leaders in the manufacturing industry and we are not changing course now. In this episode, Jim Carr and Nick Goellner talk with guest Karl Koenigsberger, Business Development Manager at IRIS Factory Automation, about finding opportunities to improve services, products, and management during this unprecedented time of change and challenge.
In this week's MakingChips podcast, hosts Jason Zenger, Jim Carr, and Nick Goellner discuss the impact of today’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and consider its effect on the manufacturing industry, future investors, travel and much more.
When the family members running the family business comprise everyone from seasoned octogenarians to fresh-faced millennials, challenges arise that are not necessarily talked about in other industries. In this week’s MakingChips podcast, hosts Jim Carr, Jason Zenger and Nick Goellner (representing three separate generations) delve into some complex, and often emotional, leadership issues experienced in their own multigenerational family businesses, and provide guidance on how to navigate these delicate situations.
As business leaders, the way we respond to unforeseen issues and crises can put a spotlight on both strengths and vulnerabilities within our corporate practices, culture, and personal character.
In this week’s MakingChips podcast, Jason Zenger challenges Jim Carr, Nick Goellner and the metalworking nation to examine the impact of today’s Coronavirus (CoV) pandemic, and consider its effect on the manufacturing industry as well as what can be learned from the way leaders around the world are reacting to this threat. The guys discuss 4 points that every manufacturing leader can learn from this crisis as well as Xi Jinping, the paramount leader of the PRC, and the reaction from the Communist Party of China.
You are motivated, inspired and positive - your employee… not so much.
How can you turn around an employee who does not match the positive energy in your workplace?
In today’s episode of MakingChips, Jason Zenger, and Jim Carr, discuss a listener’s question and come up with 3 ways you can inspire your employees even if you’re new to your leadership role. Learn how to bring the energy, develop or redefine your core values, and find out what really drives your employees in this week’s new episode of MakingChips.
Feedback? Go to MakingChips.com/feedback
Has anyone ever called you a control freak? Do you have trouble sharing responsibility? Is your inability to delegate holding back your potential?
Divide and conquer is the name of the game on today’s episode of MakingChips. Jason Zenger, Jim Carr and Nick Goellner take a look at how to become the best version of yourself by taking
simple steps such as learning to delegate and be more self-aware.
Learn how to identify workaholic traits in yourself and how to combat them with the MakingChips team.
What exactly is the multiplier effect? How does manufacturing positively impact the economy and our communities? What makes manufacturing and other “creation industries” different from service industries?
In today’s episode of MakingChips, Jason Zenger tackles these questions and more as the MakingChips team dives into a listener question. Do Jim Carr and Nick Goellner agree with the analysis? Listen and let us know what you think!