Manufacturing Happy Hour

We're diving back in the archives for this one. We're taking segments from 3 of our past interviews to bring you 3 of the best pieces of leadership advice that had ever come up on Manufacturing Happy Hour. From strategies for shaping culture to taking on unconscious bias in the workplace, this episode is for everyone that considers themselves a manufacturing leader.

We're bringing back RōBEX President Craig Francisco one last time as we take on a smorgasbord of topics impacting manufacturing leaders of all specializations. From sales to productivity, Craig shares some of his best lessons that you can find on his legacy podcast The 8 Keys of Sales Excellence in addition to what you can expect from his current show The Automation Solutions Podcast. It's a quick one, but this episode is jam packed with advice that will no doubt fuel your mindset.

This week we're talking all things LinkedIn! It's been awhile since we've done a solo episode of the show for you. In this episode, Chris walks through 4 of his top tips for manufacturers that are on LinkedIn (and we're not just talking about the sales team). From building your personal brand to creating content that prioritizes timeliness over perfection, this episode will help you take your LinkedIn game to another level regardless of your role or title.

Patrick O'Rahilly is the Founder of FactoryFix, a Chicago and Madison-based technology company connecting manufacturers with a network of vetted, skilled professionals through their innovative matchmaking platform. Said another way, Patrick and FactoryFix are taking on the hiring challenges of the manufacturing sector head-on!This episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour was recorded live during a fireside chat from one of our recent virtual happy hours. We cover common hiring mistakes, Patrick's thoughts on the current manufacturing labor market, and what the future of hiring looks like for manufacturers. Then, we open it up to a Q&A and discussion with the rest of the Manufacturing Happy Hour Industry Community.In this episode, find out:How FactoryFix plays matchmaker between talented professionals and employersThe most common mistakes people make with recruitmentWhy you should be proactive, not reactive when hiringWhy employers need to address the pay rates problemPatrick’s tips for people new to the industryEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“Land and expand. Get in the door, show what you can do, and justify that higher wage.”“There's a lot of unnecessary friction in recruiting and the hiring process…if you’re not hitting these applicants up the same day, forget about it. They’re gone.”“A lot of hiring is reactive. There's no plan for an employee once they get hired into one of these production positions.”Links & mentions:FactoryFix, a platform connecting manufacturers with a network of vetted, skilled professionalsOld Irving Brewing Co., a hidden gem on the northwest side of ChicagoThe Green Door Tavern, since 1872, Green Door Tavern is Chicago's oldest tavern - serving over 100 years of trouble (the good kind)Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Zach Arnold is the President of Arnold Machine Inc. (AMI), a premier full-service engineering and equipment manufacturing business that he’s been running for almost three decades. After starting the company in a garage in 1994, AMI now operates out of a 50,000 square-foot facility in Tiffin, Ohio, where they make innovative automated equipment for applications in automotive, appliance, heavy industry, and beyond.In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we sat down with Zach to discuss where AMI all started as a side business, eventually progressing to what it is today. Zach discusses the critical lessons he learned along the way, why he embraces innovation in manufacturing, and how he values building relationships as a vital part of the business. He also goes on to explain Machine as a Service and his approach to team training.In this episode, find out:Where AMI’s story started from a side hustle in a garage to where it is todayThe challenges Zach faced when managing a businessWhy innovation is important to embrace rather than fightHow Zach approaches different manufacturing marketsWhat Machine as a Service is and the benefits of it The importance of team training and getting the right people in the right rolesEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“Don't be afraid to work, work, work and be a sponge. Soak up everything you possibly can.”“Keep the customer up to speed on what exactly is going on, answer questions, and do business with integrity.”“The nuts and bolts, for the most part, the processes, the components that we use, the thought process, it's all very similar.”Links & mentions:Arnold Machine Inc. (AMI), collaborating with clients to engineer custom automation equipmentClover Club, the go-to tavern in Tiffin, OHMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Andrew Crowe might just be the most important person in manufacturing right now. He's a teacher, brand energizer, and a strong proponent for diversity in manufacturing, but that’s just scratching the surface. After discovering the promise and potential of manufacturing after college, he created the Elevate Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies. Elevate is a program that brings together companies, educators, and the next generation of aspiring youth to fill critical manufacturing jobs and lead the new American manufacturing renaissance.In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Andrew shares his story and how he finally found his passion in manufacturing. He discusses why manufacturing is such a great career for young people in terms of salary, training, and progression. He also shares how he teaches and inspires the next generation of manufacturing industry leaders. In this episode, find out:How Andrew’s background influenced his decision to go to college and pursue a careerHow Andrew first discovered his passion for manufacturingElevate’s mission to inspire the next generation of manufacturing industry leadersDiversity and inclusion in the manufacturing industryHow Andrew works with individuals and companies to get people into manufacturingEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“We’re moving from a skilled trade to a smart trade.” – Andrew Crowe“Industry 4.0 is on the way right now.”  – Andrew Crowe“All hope is not lost. American manufacturing is coming back.”  – Andrew CroweLinks & mentions:Elevate Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, website coming soon…Ranken Technical College, the leading Missouri technical collegeAndrew Crowe on MakingChips, another fantastic manufacturing podcast where you can hear more about Andrew’s storyEarthbound Beer, a local St. Louis craft brewery on historic Cherokee StreetSaint Louis Hop Shop, a retail craft beer store located in the Cherokee Street Business District of St. Louis, MOBlack is Beautiful, a collaborative beer industry effort to raise awareness for the injustices people of color face daily Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Craig Francisco is back on the podcast! And this time, he’s here to get technical…Craig Francisco is the President at RōBEX, a new automation company that works with food, glass, and tissue industries. He’s previously spoken with us about digital marketing, but now it’s time to dive deep into the world of automation and robots. In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Craig shares the top 3 automation trends he and his team at RōBEX are most excited about in 2021. From autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to leveraging new business models like their FLEXX Machine-as-a-Service program, we get into the details on this one. Craig also shares pragmatic advice on how to get customers comfortable with new technology and how to build a company culture that allows you to stay on the cutting edge.In this episode, find out:How to prioritize which technologies to focus onHow to get customers comfortable with new technologyWhat Craig is most excited about in the automation worldThe top three automation trendsWhat it takes to create a great company cultureEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“Never sacrifice company culture for revenue.” – Craig Francisco“What can we do to bring value to our customers without having them extend their funds?” – Craig Francisco“Engage the right person, that’s going to help you understand if something’s going to work for you.” – Craig FranciscoLinks & mentions:RōBEX LLC, an industrial robotics and industrial automation company with uncommon experience & expertiseMiR, a popular brand of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)The Automation Solution Podcast, Craig’s podcast covering innovative, value-added, smart technology solutions that automate and optimize manufacturing processesFLEXX, RoBEX’s Machine-as-a-Service programMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Nick Fallucca is passionate about pizza and people. He's the Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Palermo's Pizza, a company that's been an Italian frozen food staple in the Midwest and beyond for over 50 years.In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we sit down with Nick to talk about all things pizza and what goes on behind-the-scenes in food manufacturing. He takes us through the challenges of packaging, experimenting with new ideas, and competing for shelf space. Nick also shares why building relationships with customers is so important and why you need to be passionate about what you do. We round off our talk on the importance of community and the ultimate debate of whether pineapple belongs on pizza.In this episode, find out:What it’s like growing up in a family businessThe challenges of pizza manufacturingHow to create a great product that sellsWhy it’s important to build relationships in salesWhat it takes to be successful and competitive in manufacturingThe importance of community and charityEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“You either innovate or you die."“A business is just a person behind a desk. It’s not like you’re selling to some robot. There’s still a person making those decisions.”“You’ve got to be so passionate about it that it’s not just your job. It’s kind of your life.”“When you open a pizza…there’s nothing hidden. All the ingredients are front and center. So, making a great pizza every time is not easy.”Links & mentions:Palermo’s Pizza, Nick’s family business and award-winning pizza brandOnly the Paranoid Survive, Andrew S. Grove’s book on overcoming challenges as a business leaderStart With Why, Simon Sinek’s popular book for leadersHosed On Brady, one of Chris’ go-to Brady Street barsThe Roman Coin, a craft beer bar in Milwaukee that Nick recommendsArizmendi Bakery, a bakery and pizzeria in Emeryville, CaliforniaLiguria Bakery, a San Francisco bakery famous for its fresh focacciaMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

If you’re familiar with the term “digital twin” in manufacturing, maybe it’s time to start thinking of blogs, videos, and social media content as the digital twin of your sales force. Greg Mischio is the Owner & Founder of Winbound, a marketing agency that provides content marketing for small marketing departments with a focus on manufacturing and industrial verticals. He also knows a thing or two about good beer in Madison, WI (which is definitely a plus).In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we sit down with Greg to chat about all things content marketing. We look at how you can create real results with great content by understanding why customers buy. Greg shares the common mistakes people make with content marketing, why the written word is still critical, and how you can build a presence through referrals. We round off our talk on the best ways to get started with content marketing. In this episode, find out:What a digital twin is The importance of bringing value and getting real resultsThe number one mistake people make in content marketingWhy the written word is still critical in sales and marketing How to use a digital twin in manufacturing Why referrals are so important to building an online presence The best way to get started in content marketing. Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“Sales start with great content.”"What are you awesome at? If you’re a small marketing team, focus on that and then bring in help around you because it’s hard to do it on your own.”“If you’re servicing people and you’ve got something of value, they’re probably going to keep you around.”Links & mentions:Winbound, a marketing agency that creates content that’s mapped to the customer journey and marketing for distribution via search, social, and niche-based paid advertising. Winbound’s clients have enjoyed double and triple-digit increases in traffic and leads.Vintage Brewing Company, house-made craft beer and food with multiple locations in the Madison, WI areaALT Brew, a Madison, WI-based brewery that makes gluten-free beer taste goodCafé Hollander, a restaurant with excellent Belgian beers with locations in Milwaukee and MadisonMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Gavin Collier is an attorney turned serial entrepreneur. After cutting his teeth as an attorney and cofounding multiple companies, he's now focused on his latest venture as the CEO of Dynamic Blending, a global cosmetic manufacturing company. Dynamic Blending was just ranked #17 on Inc. 5000's list of fastest-growing private companies in 2020.In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we discuss Gavin’s varied career journey from law to contract manufacturing. We look at the reasons behind Dynamic Blending’s impressive growth and Gavin’s focus on people at the heart of the business. Gavin says that people are the secret to success and highlights the importance of keeping great customers happy and building a reliable team. We round off our talk with Gavin’s tips for turning ideas into real successes. In this episode, find out:How Gavin made the leap from a law background to contract manufacturingHow success in cosmetics is about more than just the product. It’s also down to the packaging and marketingHow important great products are to creating a successful manufacturing businessThe reasons behind Dynamic Blending’s crazy-high growth in 2020Why keeping customers happy is Gavin’s number one focusThe importance of having a great team that shares ideas freelyHow to push through challenges and get where you want to go with your business.Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“The products speak for themselves…If you have a great product, people will buy it.”“We’ve been looking for ways to solve our customer’s problems, and that has made us a more attractive business to do business with.”“You’ve got to put your money where your mouth is. If you really believe in something, you’ve got to risk a lot to get it.”Links & mentions:Dynamic Blending, a contract manufacturing company based in Utah that specializes in cosmetics.Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.