Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Ken Parent keeps it real. Ken launched Parent Manufacturing in 2020 in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Navigating running a small shop and providing for his family hasn't been an easy road. Instead of shying away from the reality of entrepreneurism, Ken shares the good, the bad, and the ugly on LinkedIn. The response has been overwhelming. In this episode of MakingChips, we chat with Ken about the realities of being a small business owner in Oklahoma. He shares why he went into manufacturing, what his hope for the future is, and how he's inspiring the manufacturing nation to make chips. Because if you're not MakingChips, you're not making money. BAM! – Mike Segments [3:23] Jason's "What are you learning?" segment [5:24] Learn more about Ken Parent of Parent Manufacturing [17:38] Why Ken became an entrepreneur [21:42] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [22:22] How LinkedIn has become a community of support [30:40] The impact of the manufacturing community on his family [36:00] Creating content for The Practical Machinist [39:48] What Ken's ideal job looks like [43:36] The Industrial Buying Engine with Thomasnet™ Resources mentioned on this episode Father of 7 Builds Machine Shop From the Ground Up. So Can You. Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Connect with Ken on LinkedIn Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance Mitutoyo Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Did you know that we all operate from one of three root motivations? The majority of the decisions we make are because we're striving for respect, value, or approval. When you know your root motivations as a leader—and in turn learn your team's—it can help you become a better leader. Dennis Humphrey Ph.D. LCPC joins us in this episode of MakingChips to share how to narrow down your root motivation and how it can benefit your business. Because if your team isn't syncing up because they don't understand each other's motivations, you're not going to be MakingChips, and if you're not MakingChips, you're not making money. BAM. Segments [2:28] The three root motivations: Respect, value, and approval [3:10] Manufacturing leader spotlight: Mike Rudy [6:55] Learn more about Dennis Humphrey Ph.D. LCPC [8:20] Where do our root motivations come from? [10:22] The part where we make Nick the guinea pig [13:52] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [15:06] How do the "unhealthy" versions of these values manifest? [19:23] How to use your root motivation to be a better leader [24:20] Using someone's root motivations to reach goals [30:28] How to frame root motivations correctly with your team [32:19] Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Resources mentioned on this episode The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop The 6 Types of Working Genius Eden Business Concepts Thrive Space Podcast Root Motivations PDF Download Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

What is the greatest show on manufacturing Earth? IMTS. Every two years, the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) draws manufacturers from around the world to Chicago for six days. IMTS not only makes a huge impact on the economy in Chicago but also on the manufacturing industry. Peter Eelman—the Chief Experience Officer at AMT— joins us in this episode of MakingChips to share just what that impact is. Because if you're not MakingChips, you're not making money. BAM! – Nick Segments [0:13] The Industrial Digital Marketing Services at Thomas™ [2:45] What our new show structure is going to look like [4:35] Manufacturing leadership spotlight: Karyn Ross [6:22] Today's guest: Peter Eelman at AMT [9:28] What Peter's been doing since IMTS [13:16] The impact IMTS has on Chicago [22:41] The economic impact on the manufacturing industry [27:02] Does the health of the trade show industry matter? [30:14] What impacted the attendance numbers in 2022? [35:17] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [35:55] How can you engage with IMTS and each other? Resources mentioned on this episode The Toyota Way to Service Excellence by Karyn Ross Karyn Ross on LinkedIn Michelle Edmonson on LinkedIn Peter Eelman on LinkedIn IMTS+ SPS Formnext Formnext Forum Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

I'm Mike Payne, the President and Owner of Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication and the first guest host for MakingChips Seasons. When I first bought my company, I had to take on many of the HR functions. Enter Thrive PEO: Jon Scoggins came into the picture and took a lot off my plate. So in this episode of MakingChips, Jon joins us to share what a PEO is and how it can not only benefit manufacturing leaders, but help them remain competitive in the workforce. Because if you can't attract and retain machinists, you're not MakingChips. And if you're not MakingChips, you're not making money. BAM! Segments [1:48] Learn more about the MakingChips Seasons concept [3:14?] Why Mike Payne is our inaugural guest host [6:25] Introducing Jon Scoggins: President & CEO at Thrive PEO [8:08] What is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO)? [12:17] How a PEO can help you with employee onboarding [14:00] How Thrive PEO goes above and beyond a payroll company [15:38] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [16:16] A PEO can help you revamp your employee handbook [18:51] How a PEO stays up-to-date on local regulations [23:32] Is there a downside to using a PEO? [27:10] Can you justify the cost of a PEO? [28:20] Can a PEO work with an existing HR team? [29:44] Takeaways from this episode of MakingChips Seasons [30:53] Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Resources mentioned on this episode The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Affiliated Distributors Thrive PEO Mike Payne on LinkedIn Jon Scoggins on LinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going? These three questions are a simple way to structure how we communicate the vision for our company. But to reach the goals we've outlined in our vision, we need a plan. And then we need to work the plan. During our upcoming annual sales summit, I've asked my sales teams to create growth roadmaps for their goals and objectives. In this episode of MakingChips, I'll share how we're going to structure our roadmaps and how you can make the process work for you. Because if you don't plan the work, you're not MakingChips, and if you don't work the plan, you're not making money. BAM! – Nick Segments [3:22] New Segment: Where in the world is Tony Gunn? [9:10] Jason's "Where, where, where" structure [10:34] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [11:13] The format for our annual sales summit [21:44] Thomas™ supplier analytics dashboard Resources mentioned on this episode Tony Gunn on LinkedIn The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

We know that 2023 is going to be a challenge. After all, a recession is being purposefully orchestrated. The Fed is trying to curb inflation. And truthfully, recessions are a normal part of the economic cycle. Will a recession negatively impact the manufacturing industry? Or will we be left untouched? Will a recession actually lead to new opportunities for the metalworking nation? In this episode of MakingChips, we continue with our recession obsession, because if you're not MakingChips, you're not making money. BAM! Segments [0:10] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [1:32] Is a recession being purposefully orchestrated? [3:03] Manufacturing News: 3M cutting 2500 manufacturing jobs [5:53] We share why recessions are normal [8:08] Why is a recession going to happen? [11:07] How is this impacting the manufacturing industry? [13:27] How can you transform your company in 2023? [15:24] Learn about the Industrial Buying Engine (IBE) Resources mentioned on this episode The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop 3M cutting 2,500 production jobs Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Reflecting on the past and learning from it helps shape our future decisions as leaders—both personally and professionally. I've worked in my family business for 25 years and recently spent some time reflecting on what I've learned. So in this episode of MakingChips, I share 10 things I've learned during my time at ZENGERS. You need to learn and grow alongside your team. If they aren't learning and growing with you, you won't be effectively MakingChips. And if you're not MakingChips, you aren't making money. BAM! – Jason Segments [0:19] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [3:54] Reflections on 25 years at ZENGERS [5:52] Manufacturing News: Tesla announces $3.6 billion investment [7:30] Why social media is for interacting [8:55] #1: Give your team a reason to wake up in the morning [10:18] #2: Don't be afraid to blow things up and start a new business model [11:02] #3: Respect your mentors while being yourself [12:40] #4: Leaders need to acknowledge and own their influence [13:54] #5: Do something every day to keep learning [15:33] #6: Work a defined number of hours per week [19:08] #7: Collaborate from the heart, not the contract [20:06] #8: Hire a rockstar team with common values [20:49] #9: Give your team autonomy to free you up [21:53] #10: People are everything in your business [23:03] Learn about the Industrial Buying Engine (IBE) Resources mentioned on this episode The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Tesla announces $3.6 billion investment in electric semi-truck manufacturing Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

As a manufacturing leader, one of the most important things you can do is hire the right people. As I've been working through the recruiting process, I started to realize that it closely parallels the sales process. And if you excel as a salesperson, you'll find it easier to recruit than you think. In this episode of MakingChips, we talk about recruitment in manufacturing. Because if you can't build the right team, you're not MakingChips, and if you're not MakingChips, you're not making money. BAM! Segments [0:15] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [1:37] We're building a recording space at ZENGERS [3:53] Manufacturing News: GM to Sink Over $900M Into 4 Plants [9:23] The parallels between LinkedIn Recruiter and Sales Navigator [13:27] The list-building and prospecting process is the same [14:14] Prospecting and recruiting are the same grind [17:43] You have to qualify prospects and recruits [19:33] Prospecting and recruiting are both about building trust [21:20] Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 [22:28] Both sales and recruiting require extensive negotiation Resources mentioned on this episode The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop GM to Sink Over $900M Into 4 Plants Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

This is a good time of year to start thinking about your sales pipeline and hunting for new business. Prospecting is one of the most important things you can do to grow your business—but it's also something that everyone hates—even salespeople. So what is the concept of "Fanatical" prospecting? How do you bite the bullet and get started? We share some tips in this episode of MakingChips. Because if you're not prospecting, you're not growing, and if you're not growing—you're not MakingChips. BAM! – Nick Segments [0:20] Learn how Thomas™ can work for you [4:45] What's happening in our businesses [5:42] Manufacturing News: Aerospace Industry Outlook [11:22] Why prospecting is an important piece of the sales puzzle [15:16] The concept of "Fanatical Prospecting" [18:32] Top performers utilize time blocking [23:37] How to start fanatically prospecting [26:53] Balancing prepwork and numbers [29:26] Why a recession is the best time to prospect Resources mentioned on this episode 2023 aerospace and defense industry outlook Fanatical Prospecting by Jeb Blount 5-Minute Selling by Alex Goldfayn EDA Data Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Are you conducting performance reviews in your business? Have you found a way to structure them to be useful? In this episode of MakingChips, Jason and I talk about how we structure our performance reviews, why we do them consistently, and why they matter. Your teams need to be performing at a high level. Why? If they're not achieving their goals, they're not MakingChips, and if they're not MakingChips, we're not making money! BAM! – Nick Segments [0:16] Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 [2:33] Jason's favorite manufacturing memory from 2022 [4:08] Announcing one of our guest hosts for 2023 [8:03] Manufacturing News: U.S. manufacturing needs federal funding [13:51] Implementing a self-review alongside performance reviews [20:10] The #1 thing I learned from our performance reviews [22:28] Making sure performance reviews are a good use of time [25:33] Why peer reviews can be a useful tool to gauge performance [28:23] Start implementing performance reviews in your business Resources mentioned on this episode Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Op-ed: U.S. manufacturing needs federal funding to protect national security, spur innovation boom Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube