In this week's episode, Jim, Jason, and Nick talk about the different sales channels that you can utilize for your manufacturing company, and their strengths and weaknesses.

Segments:

0:00 | Nick explains how he sees ProShop ERP on shop floors across the country.

5:15 | The hosts share manufacturing news and purchasing trends for 2021

15:21 | Nick introduces different sales channels and how they function

19:55 | Jason discusses why companies such as Tesla don't go through local distributors and dealers

22:00 | Jim calls Matt Bain of Mazak North America to talk about IMTS Spark

30:38 | Nick introduces the concept of business development leaders, who handle distinct product groups at a national level

32:55 | Nick explains using regional sales managers as a direct channel

37:37 | Jim brings up how too many people in the sales channel could take a longer response time

42:55 | Nick discusses independent manufacturer's representatives as a sales channel

46:38 | Jason and Nick analyze the distributor relationship within a sales channel

49:56 | Jim shares the sales channels that he utilizes

As we move forward into 2021, the MakingChips podcast hosts look back at 2020, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and share more lessons they learned as a result.

Segments:

6:06 | Jim shares information on the characteristics of a visual learner.

9:37 | The hosts discuss the potential usage of wearable technology in machine shops.

13:26 | The hosts emphasize the importance of cybersecurity, and how it will advance in 2021.

15:22 | The hosts discuss integrations of robotics in machine shops, as well as other possible future trends.

21:13 | Jim shares the thoughts and reactions of manufacturing leaders on the pandemic in March of 2020.

23:40 | Jason and Nick explain how they kept their team members informed during the pandemic.

25:00 | The hosts share how they used their organizations and affiliates to gather COVID-19 information for their peers.

29:20 | Jim talks about integrating virtual meetings, how taking risks may lead to new opportunities, and supply and demand issues during the pandemic.

Part 2 of this 2-part series continues the interview with special guest John Miller, founder of Way of the Mill, an education platform for CNC milling. In this episode, John shares more of his manufacturing knowledge that machine shops can benefit from.

3:38 | John shares his thoughts on how a commitment to details can improve a shop

10:20 | John explains how shops may need to be more open to hybrid solutions across brands and suppliers

12:15 | John tells why he started Way of the Mill in the middle of a pandemic and what the goals for his clients are

17:06 | John explains the process of tap testing and what shops should be using it

24:20 | Jason asks how distributor employees can help manufacturing leaders make choices

In Part 1 of this 2-part series, the MakingChips hosts welcome guest John Miller, founder of Way of the Mill, an education platform for CNC milling. In this episode, John shares his background in the manufacturing industry, including his time at Makino and Apple, and why he chose to start Way of the Mill.

6:09 | Jason shares current news about the near future of the manufacturing industry due to COVID-19

12:10 | Guest John Miller, founder of Way of the Mill, tells his origin story in manufacturing

16:00 | John shares information on his experience working on turnkey projects at Makino

23:20 | John explains why he chose to share his milling advice online, and how good and bad fundamentals affect a company

27:05 | John discusses his time at Apple, and their involvement in the manufacturing industry

31:09 | John explains how he maintains unbiased content and the value it brings

In the 250th episode of MakingChips, the hosts discuss new factors and trends in the estimation process, especially when utilizing an ERP system. Jim Carr also shares his quoting process, and the tips and tricks he has used over the years that other manufacturing leaders should take into account.

3:30 | Nick tells a story about quoting

9:00 | Jim shares manufacturing news about the surge in metal prices

12:50 | Jim breaks down the estimation process into 3 factors: the estimator, the tools, and the tactics

19:30 | Jim explains his quoting process

23:30 | The hosts compare a traditional spreadsheet to an ERP system, and what columns to utilize

30:15 | The hosts discuss veteran quoting processes vs newer quoting tactics

34:50 | Jim lists some "red flags" to look out for during the estimation process

38:00 | Jim summarizes his thoughts on effectively quoting a job

In this week's podcast, hosts Jason Zenger, Jim Carr, and Nick Goellner share the new leadership principles and processes they adopted during 2020 to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how other manufacturing leaders can benefit by doing similar.

6:20 | The hosts share recent manufacturing news, plus Nick has his own special announcement

13:20 | Jason explains how he focused on growing his company's core values in 2020

16:15 | Jim discusses the new implementations he made at CARR this year

18:30 | Jason recounts how he increased communication between his employees

28:50 | Nick describes how his leadership team implemented new Lean practices and playbooks

33:09 | Jim shares the added business responsibilities he felt due to the COVID-19 pandemic

35:00 | Jason gives details on his experience of testing positive for COVID-19

In this week's episode, we share our experiences with imposter syndrome and discuss what it means. We talk about how it affects different generations and how to rise above the feeling that you aren't qualified or don't know what you're doing.

5:01 | Nick covers general manufacturing news - and improving market trends

8:55 | Nick defines imposter syndrome

10:05 | Jason brings up a bible verse that illustrates that everyone is a little bit of an imposter

13:32 | Jason asks how you'll learn anything if you never ask

22:26 | Jason and Nick discuss what imposter syndrome means for a manufacturing leader

25:42 | Nick shares a story about feeling like you can't ask questions or make mistakes

30:32 | Jason mentions how important it is to get your self-worth from multiple places, and Nick talks about how ego plays into imposter syndrome

In this week's episode, we share our experience as guest speakers at DMG Mori's sales conference this year. We touched base on the evolving sales process during COVID, how DMG really sells, and what old school techniques you can implement in today's new normal.

3:53 |  DMG MORI's team announces keynote speakers - MakingChips

5:17 | Nick discusses the sales challenges brought on by COVID and how his team has adapted to overcome them

7:10 | DMG's area sales manager talks about how they've adapted to the closed doors

11:01 | Nick asks DMG MORI "How does your customer buy?"

20:14 | Jason talks about cultivating relationships and avoiding going silent 

31:50 | Jim goes over old school sales tips in the new "not normal" world

39:21 | A new way to make "cold calling" work again

44:24 | Jason and Jim talk to Marty from Autodesk to talk about what they're doing with IMTS Spark

49:31 | Q&A with MakingChips and DMG MORI

In this week's podcast, hosts Jason Zenger, Jim Carr, and Nick Goellner invite guest Peter Eelman, Vice President & CXO at AMT to discuss how IMTS pivoted into an online digital destination for Manufacturers.

Segments:

• Missing IMTS - Everybody gets together (2:15)
• Good News with Jim Carr (6:30)
• Manufacturing News: Smart manufacturing platform revenue to pass $32B annually by 2025 (7:04)
• Introducing our Guest: Peter Eelman (14:12)
• IMTS Spark is a digital destination for a connected manufacturing community (16:45)
• Peter: This is not a virtual tradeshow (21:45)
• Jason: The main theme of 2020 is rebuilding the supply chain (30:20)
• IMTS is coming back in 2022 (38:30)
• Why you should sign-up for IMTS spark today (40:34)
• What happened to IMTS 2020 swag? (44:00)
• Takeaways from IMTS Spark (46:10)

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In this week's podcast, hosts Jason Zenger and Jim Carr invite guest Jenn Ryan, SVP of Global Network Operations at Xometry to discuss how they pivoted during COVID and how it helped them transform who they are as a business.

Segments:

• Jim and Jason’s businesses thriving when the industry is down (1:44)

• Good news at Carr’s: 4th new CNC machine (6:06)

• Jason Discusses the Manufacturing News: Foxconn fails to meet requirements in Wisconsin (6:47)

• Introducing our guest: Jenn Ryan, SVP of Global Network Operations at Xometry (11:40)

Check out our previous episodes 122 & 189 with Xometry

• Jenn: Keeping the doors open during COVID shutdowns (14:10)

• Jenn: Changing the binary questions “What part of this job can I do?” (17:10)

• Jason: Why we created the Makingchips podcast (19:20)

• Jenn: Partner Success stories in 2020 (21:00)

• Jason: We need more manufacturing in the US (31:05)

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In this week's podcast, hosts Jim Carr and Jason Zenger invite guests Paul Van Metre, Co-Founder of ProShop ERP, and Matt Gawlik, President of 3D Industries to discuss what it takes to properly implement a new ERP in a machine shop, and how it can change your culture.

Segments:

• How the ERP revolution shifted our culture (1:47)
• Teasing our special guests (2:56)
• Putting on makeup is fun? IMTS interview (3:33)
• What’s new with Jason: Zengers, Black Industrial (5:00)
• Discussing this week’s manufacturing news (6:20)
• Introducing our guest: Paul Van Metre from ProShop (13:13)
• Introducing our other guest: Matt Gawlik, President of 3D Industries (14:10)
• The origin story of “3D Industries” (15:20)
• How Matt found ProShop (16:45)
• Jim: Using the wrong ERP for 20 years (19:52)
• Matt: Rehabilitating the company to implement the perfect ERP (20:45)
• Jason: What is a Pirate ship company? (27:25)
• Roadblocks when implementing a new ERP (28:00)
• ProShop features that hit the spot for Machine shops (30:45)
• What is your estimator doing all day now? (33:55)
• Matt: Extracting data from the minds of employees is a necessary safeguard (34:45)
• Culture Shift: Before and After ProShop (38:50)
• Paul: Implementing ERPs is a team commitment (43:45)

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In this week's podcast, hosts Jason Zenger and Jim Carr discuss the process of building the right legacy you want to leave behind as a Manufacturing Leader.

Segments:

• Getting morbid for a minute (0:45)
• Leaving a legacy after a transition (2:10)
• Jim compares MakingChips hosts to past music greats (3:30)
• Another new CNC machine at Carr Machine (5:06)
• Jason, the business coach? (6:27)
• Manufacturing News: New manufacturing facility for undersea drones (8:40)
• Jason: Leaving a positive legacy in the minds of others (11:51)
• A legacy gone wrong: Statues don’t make chips (16:30)
• Guiding principles towards a great legacy (19:40)
• Every manufacturing leader needs to think about their legacy (27:10)

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In this week's episode, we get a look into Carr Machine's setup process. Hosts Jim Carr and Nick Goellner invite guests Ryan Carr, Operations Manager at CARR Machine and Tool, Inc., and Paul Van Metre, Co-Founder of ProShop ERP on to discuss the challenges they face with long setup times and explore how ProShop has helped them refine the process while providing measurable analytics for future improvement. 

Segments

• Jim and Nick talk about manufacturing news 4:26
• Jim Introduces Paul Van Metre and Ryan Carr 8:40
• Jim introduces the age-old issue of setup times 10:34
• Ryan talks about today’s setup process on the shop floor at Carr 14:18
• Jim and Ryan talk about how their team uses ProShop 15:47
• Paul Van Metre lays out the pre-processing checklist at ProShop 20:42
• Paul and Ryan cover the impact of implementing ProShop 26:41
• Jim addresses the transition of accountability 29:54
• Nick asks about ROI and measurable results for improvement 31:55
• Success stories with ProShop 36:05
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In this week's podcast, hosts Jim Carr and Jason Zenger discuss old school manufacturing tips that still equip & inspire their team on the shop floor.

Segments:

• The guys discuss this week's manufacturing news. (8:41)
• Solving today's shop problems with "old school" techniques: Tapping (18:10)
• Flatness on prints/Material Science (23:38)
• Using oversized materials for better accuracy (26:12)
• Bringing back old school collaboration (28:36)
• Machine tool distributors selling tooling (31:50)
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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) 
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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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.

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)

Bellicose Rhetoric (definition)