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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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Now displaying: January, 2024
Jan 30, 2024

Every family business that’s growing and expanding runs into some challenges. From navigating tough conversations with family to determining a centralized versus decentralized model, there are numerous things to consider. Joe Patterson’s family business overcame the challenges that came their way and expanded globally. 

However, they had lofty goals for the business and ultimately needed more capital to realize those goals. Joe shares how they expanded their family business and why they sold the majority of their shares to private equity in this episode of MakingSparks. Listen to learn how you can help your family business make sparks, grow, and make money.

Segments

  • [1:20] Palo Alto Networks Zero Trust OT Security
  • [5:03] Matthew’s dad joke
  • [6:20] Learn more about Joe Patterson
  • [10:50] Why Joe initially left the family business 
  • [13:30] Sparks of Knowledge: Host “tryouts”
  • [14:33] How to have the conversation with family 
  • [17:05] How Flanders scaled the family business
  • [20:51] Netsuite by Oracle KPI Checklist
  • [22:23] The difference between offering services and products
  • [24:40] A centralized versus decentralized model
  • [31:35] Why the family decided to sell the business
  • [40:08] How to join the AMT Community 
  • [41:00] How to scale your family business 

Resources mentioned on this episode

Connect With MakingChips

Jan 23, 2024

communication with your family? How do you foster open communication in difficult conversations? 

Running a family business is full of unique challenges—and successes—that many other businesses don’t have to think about. But navigating those challenges doesn’t have to be difficult. Tad Dickel returns in this episode of MakingSparks to cover it all. 

– Matthew Nix

If you missed part 1, go back and listen HERE.

Segments

  • [0:56] Palo Alto Zero Trust OT Security
  • [4:38] Casey’s dad joke
  • [5:30] Common challenges family businesses face
  • [7:28] Spark of Knowledge: Social media
  • [8:40] How to have hard conversations 
  • [10:07] Tad’s thoughts on family governance
  • [16:50] The purpose of the family council
  • [19:49] Palo Alto Zero Trust OT Security
  • [21:24] Open communication is the goal
  • [26:08] When a small business should start
  • [31:10] Think about the future now
  • [32:30] Thomasnet programs

Resources mentioned on this episode

Connect With MakingChips

Jan 16, 2024

Nix Companies is a fifth-generation family business in an industry that's predominantly privately held and family-owned. Family-owned businesses are the fabric of our economy. Today’s guest on MakingSparks, Tad Dickel, is a Leadership & Strategy Consultant with a special interest in family-owned businesses. He helps them with everything from governance to succession planning. 

Tad shares why having difficult conversations with family early can make a profound impact on the long-term generational success of the business. He also covers how to have those conversations. Don’t miss this one! 

– Matthew Nix

Segments

  • [0:38] Netsuite by Oracle
  • [2:42] How Tad Dickel helps family-owned businesses
  • [5:39] Why work with a Leadership & Strategy Consultant 
  • [9:16] Challenges that family businesses face
  • [12:42] Spark of Knowledge: The Ideal Team Player
  • [13:57] Casey’s dad joke
  • [14:25] Tad’s hope for this episode
  • [17:43] Palo Alto Zero Trust OT Security
  • [21:33] Using a Venn diagram to think through family dynamics

Resources mentioned on this episode

Connect With MakingChips

Jan 9, 2024

Cutting tool manufacturers have to remain on the cutting edge. If you do so, it’s possible to stay competitive. We know that a solid education and training for new talent is the best first step. But you also have to learn to embrace grit to make it through. We cover what else is important to remain successful and competitive in this episode of MakingChips. 

– Drew Crowe

Out call-to-action: Bring us someone who can talk about innovation in the tooling industry in North America. 

Segments

  • [0:13] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security
  • [2:32] Why collaborations are important
  • [9:02] Manufacturing fuels grit 
  • [11:18] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security
  • [14:58] The future of American manufacturing

Resources mentioned on this episode

Connect With MakingChips

Jan 2, 2024

Andy Mueller is a seasoned vet in manufacturing, one of the real OGs. I’ve leaned on him for advice and support throughout the years because he’s been through the seasons and weathered the storms. Andy was able to step in and teach my students things that I couldn’t with my limited resources. That’s why, in this episode of MakingChips, we have a conversation with Andy about inspiring the next generation and teaching them what they can’t learn in classes. Because if they aren’t MakingChips, they aren't making money. BAM!

– Drew Crowe

Segments

  • [0:12] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security
  • [6:58] Drew’s passion for the metalworking nation
  • [7:42] Where in the world is Tony Gunn?
  • [12:36] Introducing Andy Mueller
  • [16:00] Impacting the future of manufacturing
  • [23:59] Check out Thomas™ Programs
  • [25:18] Get your team invested in the process
  • [27:00] Andy’s start in manufacturing 
  • [29:37] The value Andy brought to Ranken students
  • [39:00] What are you trying to achieve? 

Resources mentioned on this episode

Connect With MakingChips

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