The Manufacturing Executive

Risk management isn't an accident. If we're going to survive, then we have to plan for unforeseen events. Like 2020… and 2021. But you can't insure everything, and rate increases seem to be hardening. What can manufacturers do to manage risk more effectively?In today's episode, I talk with Van Carlson, founder and CEO at Strategic Risk Alternatives. Van brings to the conversation more than 25 years of experience in insurance. He focuses on solving client risks through risk alternatives and management. Here's what Van and I discussed:What manufacturers can do about the increase in traditional insurance premiumsHow to prevent gaps in risk management strategiesThe risk management tools available to manufacturersTo ensure that you never miss an episode of The Manufacturing Executive, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or here

Manufacturers love trade shows. But for a year, we've had to do without them. Plus, shows may never come back the way they once were. How can manufacturers create content, build relationships, and generate leads without shows?In today's episode, I talk with Chris Luecke, podcast host and community builder at Manufacturing Happy Hour. Chris offers a full plate of both strategic advice and down-and-dirty tactics about how sales-focused organizations can think more like marketers.Here's what we discussed:Why videos and podcasts are great ways for manufacturers to build relationshipsHow sales professionals can improve results with micro marketingWays manufacturers can leverage LinkedIn in a meaningful and impactful wayTo ensure that you never miss an episode of The Manufacturing Executive, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or here.

Every company has an operating system that determines how people solve problems, plan, prioritize, communicate, and measure success. Often, an operating system is inconsistent, though, leading to employee frustration and burnout.In today's episode, I talk with Joel Wittenbraker and Luke Wittenbraker. This father-son duo leads Mactech On-Site, one of the world’s foremost providers of on-site machining services, heat treating services, and stress-relieving equipment.Here's what we discussed:What The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) actually isThe six pieces of the EOS pizza pieThe biggest hurdle organizations face in the EOS development processResources‌ ‌Mentioned‌ ‌EOS‌ ‌Worldwide‌ ‌ ‌EOS‌ ‌Tools‌ ‌ ‌The‌ ‌6‌ ‌Components‌ ‌of‌ ‌EOS‌ ‌(pizza‌ ‌wheel)‌ ‌ ‌Traction‌ ‌on‌ ‌Amazon‌ ‌ ‌To ensure that you never miss an episode of The Manufacturing Executive, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or here.

Does technology have to be all or nothing? Is it possible that in our increasingly data-driven manufacturing environment, we're losing sight of the value provided by human input?In today's episode, I talk about those questions with Martin Cloake, CEO at Raven.ai. Martin is an experienced executive and award-winning technology entrepreneur with a background in manufacturing, data science, IT, and operations management. Here's what we discussed:How Martin merged his varied background experiences to create Raven.aiCreating balance between data and human insightReal stories of how Martin's clients blend the best of both worldsTo ensure that you never miss an episode of The Manufacturing Executive, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or here.

Video- and- audio-based content humanizes the people behind the information. You can see someone's face in a video or hear their voice in a podcast. They suddenly become a real person to you. Yet, manufacturing marketers are slow to embrace content that moves outside of print.We're missing out on a lot!In today's episode, I talk with James Carbary, founder of Sweet Fish Media, about why podcasting creates powerful marketing experiences and tools. Here's what we discussed:How audio content can humanize your companyContent-based networking, how to reverse engineer the exact relationships you want to developWhy podcasting is not all about audience growth (and what it IS all about)To ensure that you never miss an episode of The Manufacturing Executive, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or here.

The industrial sector's labor market has shifted over the past decade. From the emergence and adoption of recruiting technologies by Indeed and LinkedIn to the widening manufacturing skills gap, most manufacturers face stiff challenges on the recruiting and hiring front.On today's episode, I talk about solving the problems in hiring with Patrick O'Rahilly, Founder at FactoryFix.com. Here's what we discussed:Recruiting and hiring mistakes manufacturers make todayWhat it costs to make a hireThe future of hiring in the manufacturing sectorTo ensure that you never miss an episode of The Manufacturing Executive, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or here

Think about the experience of walking into an Apple store. Or the ease and simplicity of making a purchase on Amazon — 30 seconds, one click, and you're done.More and more, B2B buyers expect B2C buying experiences. In light of that, what does “customer experience” mean to you?On today's episode, I talk about customer experience with Sultana Mangal and Annie Dohle, both Account Executives at Gorilla 76. Here's what we discussed:What kind of experience B2B buyers expectHow to differentiate your B2B brand beyond your physical productTips for creating amazing new customer experiences in the first 100 daysTo ensure that you never miss an episode of The Manufacturing Executive, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or here

In today's podcast, I break down a simple three-step framework for what a mid-sized B2B manufacturer should be doing to fill the sales funnel in 2021. This year, we still can't rely on trade shows or other in-person meetings. Here's what I recommend you do instead:Focus on the right people from the right companiesCreate amazing content specifically for themDistribute that content consistently to as many of the right people as possibleTo ensure that you never miss an episode of The Manufacturing Show, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or here.

Artificial intelligence...machine learning...blockchain...digital transformation. All buzzwords marking the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 4.5.  In this episode of the podcast, I talk with someone who's right in the middle of it all. Justin Goldston, PhD is a professor of project and supply chain management at Penn State University. He works closely with the Penn State Sustainability Institute to blend technology into organizational sustainability efforts. Justin and I discussed:What we mean by Industry 4.5How new technology will impact the workforce in manufacturingShould we worry about new tech or embrace it?...Where to go to learn moreTo ensure that you never miss an episode of The Manufacturing Show, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or here.

What is Voice of Customer? How can Voice of Customer be used to curate tailored content across your industry? Why is this important?These are a few of the many questions answered on today’s show with industry expert, Dave Loomis.In this episode, Joe Sullivan of Gorilla 76 speaks with Dave Loomis, President of Loomis Marketing on episode 28 of The Manufacturing Executive podcast. Our dynamic conversation covered...How do you facilitate a voice of customer meeting?What are the benefits of a voice of customer meeting?Understanding the pain customers feel and ideal outcomes Want more resources and information?For more ways to serve others as an individual or business, Dave has written a book called Marketing Is Everything We Do. Dave also suggests checking out New Product Blueprinting by Dan Adams and Jobs to Be Done by Tony Ulwick.To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.