Work-life balance. It’s a phrase that’s often thrown around. Many of us struggle feeling like we’ll never achieve some sort of balance. Work usually fills a greater space than we think it should. But what if that’s okay?  Everyone’s heard the adage, “Find something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” What if you love your work? What if you don’t mind when work bleeds outside of designated work hours? Is it ever a problem?  That’s the topic that Mike and I dive into in this episode of MakingChips. Especially because you have to be MakingChips to be making money. BAM! – Nick Goellner Segments [3:04] Mike’s family vacation in Colorado  [4:44] Machine Shop Masterclass: Lean Manufacturing  [14:38] Is there such a thing as work-life balance? [19:25] Manage your cutting tools with ProShop ERP [20:33] Life is a series of seasons [25:04] Achieving work-life integration Resources mentioned on this episode 2 Second Lean Get ProShop’s Lean Setup Guide The 5AM Club Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

There are over 1 billion users on LinkedIn worldwide, 200 million of which are in the United States. Manufacturing is one of the largest industry segments represented on LinkedIn. Interestingly, LinkedIn is rewarding people who create content and share it on their platform. Why? It’s simple—they need more content. It’s time for manufacturing and fabrication businesses to take advantage of these facts. But how? In this episode of MakingSparks, Preston Hadley—the President & Founder of Envision Automation & Controls—shares how his content strategy on LinkedIn not only grew his following but transformed his business.  – Matthew Nix Segments [3:11] Preston’s background in the industry  [2:05] Achieve on-time delivery with ProShop  [2:52] Envision Automation & Controls [6:02] Learn more about ProFab Alliance  [6:45] Casey’s dad joke [8:10] Growing a LinkedIn presence [13:50] Finding a balance with content [19:43] Graduate to NetSuite by Oracle [26:59] How to write on LinkedIn [30:03] Getting started on LinkedIn Resources mentioned on this episode Connect with Preston Hadley on LinkedIn Envision Automation & Controls Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

What’s keeping you up at night? What are you excited about? It’s important to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why? First and foremost, to learn from our mistakes. But secondly, to embrace gratitude. Even despite challenges and setbacks, there’s always room for gratefulness and thankfulness. So in this episode of MakingSparks, Casey and I sit down to discuss the challenges we’re facing and exciting changes happening in our businesses. We also share why we don’t let worry consume us and instead, practice gratitude.  – Matthew Nix Segments [2:39] What’s keeping Matthew up at night?  [3:28] How ProFab Alliance can help you [4:11] Issue #1: Safety concerns in the shop [5:37] Issue #2: On-time delivery and customer service [7:24] Why you can’t let worry consume you  [10:31] Using ProShop ERP to manage cutting tools [11:45] Strategic planning for Captivated Content [14:14] Practicing gratitude at all times [15:32] What’s happening at NIX Industrial [19:26] Launching a franchising business Have questions? Want to be a guest? Reach out to us on LinkedIn! We’d love to hear from you.  Resources mentioned on this episode ProFab Alliance Man’s Search for Meaning ProShop ERP Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Gamification. Gamification is a highly successful strategy in the world of marketing. It’s used all the time to enhance engagement in children’s education. How can we apply gamification concepts to manufacturing education?  Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Gabe Kooyers, and Chris Townsend joined me in this discussion and nailed down some incredible ways to leverage gamification. Because if you’re not motivating your students (or employees), then you’re not MakingChips. If you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Nick Goellner Segments [0:27] Check out the Manufacturing Transformed podcast! [3:04] Introducing Chris Townsend [4:14] The Chip on Nick’s Shoulder: Being “pitch-slapped” [7:02] Chris’s background in engineering [9:46] Creating Eagle Manufacturing  [13:27] Using gamification with students [16:07] Gamifying ProShop [20:00] Graduate to NetSuite by Oracle! [21:26] Simulating a business for education [28:10] Teaching employability skills Resources mentioned on this episode Netsuite by Oracle Get ProShop ERPs free guide TITANS of CNC Academy Connect with Chris Townsend Connect with Paul Van Metre Connect with Mike Payne Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Inc. Olson Custom Designs  Check out the Manufacturing Transformed podcast! Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

How do we train the next generation of manufacturing leaders so employers are ready to hire them immediately? Do students still need to learn manual machinery? Or do employers only want skilled CNC machinists?  These are just a few questions we dissect in this conversation with special guest and long-term educator Gabe Kooyers. Because if we’re not properly training machinists to make chips, they’re not getting hired, and no one’s making money. BAM! – Nick Goellner Segments [0:25] Achieve on-time delivery with ProShop ERP [3:48] Introducing Gabe Kooyers [5:44] Why promoting students is a game-changer [9:01] Manufacturing News: Declining interest in the trades [11:50] Learn more about Gabe and his students  [18:37] Do students need experience with manual machines? [23:00] How to revitalize an apprenticeship program [26:27] On the clock and off the clock training  [30:22] What’s important for students to know  Resources mentioned on this episode Get ProShop ERPs free guide Stemming the STEM Decline Connect with Gabe on LinkedIn TITANS of CNC Academy Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Did you know that only about 6% of welders are women? Women bring a much-needed perspective and expertise to the table. So how do we get more women in welding? NIX has actively been trying to recruit, hire, and retain more women.  In this episode of MakingSparks, we sit down with Tori Guzman and Aubree Beyer to hear what they think we can do—or continue doing—to draw more female interest to the welding industry. Listen to learn what you can do to change the welding workforce. – Casey Voelker Segments [1:13] Join the AMT community! [3:08] Learn more about Tori Guzman and Aubree Beyer [8:25] Learn more about ProFab Alliance  [10:38] Why Tori is transitioning out of welding  [15:44] Why you should consider NetSuite by Oracle [17:02] How to attract and retain women in welding  [22:55] Why women should consider welding  [25:10] How leaders can encourage women in welding  [31:21] What Aubree and Tori find rewarding about welding [35:43] Wrapping things up with Casey’s dad joke  Resources mentioned on this episode ProFab Alliance Join the AMT Community NetSuite by Oracle IMTS 2024 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Where is the United States with reshoring initiatives? Do we still have huge vulnerabilities in our supply chain(s) that need to be addressed? If we continue to reshore manufacturing, will companies remain competitive?  Reshoring impacts supply chains. Reshoring brings more jobs and opportunities to the US. These are all valid questions that are playing in people’s minds.  So in this special episode of MakingChips, Rosemary Coates—the Founder and Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute—will answer some of these burning questions. Because, ultimately, if we’re not manufacturing chips in the US, the US isn’t making money.  – Nick  Segments [0:24] Achieve 95% on-time delivery with ProShop ERP [2:22] The Reshoring Institute vs the Reshoring Initiative [4:31] Rosemary Coates’ origin story [11:25] Rosemary’s experience as an expert witness [14:02] Why Rosemary started the Reshoring Institute  [17:03] The state of reshoring as it stands today [28:03] How elections may impact reshoring initiatives [32:40] Can US manufacturers stay competitive?  [36:38] Cost structure determines manufacturing environment [40:14] Rosemary’s #1 piece of advice for manufacturers  Resources mentioned on this episode Go to ProShop ERP to get their on-time delivery guide Reshoring Institute RCoates@ReshoringInstitute.org Connect with Rosemary on LinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Can small shops begin to automate their processes? Where do they start with automation? In this episode of MakingChips, the CNC Samurai, Steve Courchane, returns to share his passion for automation. He lays out his 3M process and how it changes the way you view automation. Because if you’re not modeling, making, or measuring—you’re not MakingChips. And if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Jason Zenger Segments [0:20] Join the AMT community!  [4:06] Update on my progress!  [5:40] Welcoming Steve Courchane back [7:35] Machine Shop Masterclass [14:53] Manufacturing Leadership Spotlight [19:52] Who is the CNC Samurai?  [23:30] Why branding was important to Steve [26:13] It’s time to graduate to NetSuite by Oracle [27:33] How Steve’s mindset has changed about automation [34:27] When Steve learned to love automation  [36:37] Steve’s 3M process: model, make, and measure Resources mentioned on this episode Join the AMT community!  What the Heck is a Samurai CNC Machinist? Winning the War for Talent by Chris Czarnik Steve Courchane on Instagram Chris Luecke on LinkedIn The Cultish Show NetSuite by Oracle Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Whether you’re a small business or a growing enterprise, you need to seek out new customers and build relationships with them while pushing them through your sales pipeline. The reality is that you have to make more sales to grow your business.  You need a way to track and measure your progress with potential customers (and current key accounts). In this episode of MakingChips, Jason returns to help us get back to the basics of business. Because if you’re not managing the sales pipeline, you’re not MakingChips, and if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! Segments [0:15] Join the AMT Community! [1:55] Jason is back to MakingChips! [6:05] Manufacturing News: Whistleblowers are dying [11:04] How to gauge the potential of an account [16:24] Creating key accounts from target accounts  [19:45] Get NetSuite by Oracle for your business [21:26] Measuring customer relationships [24:56] Is it too much work for account reps?  [27:30] It’s about getting back to the basics Resources mentioned on this episode Join the AMT Community! The Boeing Whistleblower Controversy NetSuite by Oracle Trello What the Heck is a Samurai CNC Machinist? Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

You need to know the “numbers” in your business. Every business owner needs to know that they’re making enough to pay their employees, make and deliver their products, and grow the business. That’s just good business. Non-financial metrics are important, too. A successful business has to focus on quality, safety, customer service, on-time delivery, retention, and even culture. Because if your culture is dialed in, the numbers will prove it. We take a deep look at the different numbers that are important for a manufacturing business to know in this part 2 episode of MakingSparks with Mike Payne.  Also, listen to the end for a BIG announcement. – Matthew Nix Segments [1:00] Recapping part I with Mike Payne [3:13] Everything comes down to numbers [13:59] How to learn the numbers [17:49] How to decide what’s important [26:38] When should you hire someone? [35:20] Introducing “By the Numbers” Resources mentioned on this episode ProFab Alliance Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube