Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Finding the right person for your company is crucial for building a thriving business. When recruiting for open positions, employers look for candidates with the skills, experience, and demeanor they believe will benefit their company. That said, it isn’t always easy to identify candidates who understand the needs and expectations of the job. What can an employer do to capture and relay their company's culture to a prospective candidate, while showing them exactly what the job entails? How can you more meaningfully connect a candidate to your company? "This is not just about building your employer brand, this is about getting quality talent in the door, so that you can get them on-board right away and build your business." - Elena Valentine On this episode of MakingChips, we have a conversation with Elena Valentine, CEO and Co-Founder of Skill Scout. Skill Scout uses an innovative and fresh approach to connect potential employees to companies. Elena shares some of the methods the company uses to match candidates with employers, most notably in the form of video job postings. Also discussed in this episode is the Crain’s Manufacturing Summit and Jim’s recent trip to Jackson, Michigan. Episode Outline: [00:14] - Episode Preview [01:20] - Crain’s Manufacturing [03:30] - Jackson, Michigan [05:40] - Welcome Elena Valentine [08:58] - Attracting Talent [10:20] - Bringing Job Posts to Life [13:45] - Better Hiring Results [16:00] - Logistics Behind the Video [20:52] - How to Shoot a Good Ad [23:45] - Authentic Window [25:20] - Success Story [27:30] - Conclusion of Episode Mentioned in this Episode: http://shoprat.org http://www.skillscout.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenavalentine1

For many manufacturing leaders, the idea of delegating tasks can cause a feeling of uneasiness. Maybe you think you’ve got everything under control, or that things always have to be done your way. In reality, doing everything yourself is simply impossible, and can cause you unnecessary stress. To be an effective leader you must be able to rely on your team by learning how to delegate strategically. "Any task that really exhausts or pulls energy from you is not something worth doing." -Jason Zenger In this episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason share some simple strategies that can help you effectively delegate tasks. Also discussed in this episode is the upcoming IMTS trade show, task management in Evernote, learning to let go, and managing expectations. Episode Outline: [00:07] Episode Preview [02:19] Manufacturing News [05:10] Delegating [09:10] Simple Ways to Delegate Tasks [11:50] Task Management in Evernote [15:04] Delegating at MakingChips [17:40] Expectations [21:50] Conclusion of Episode Mentioned in this Episode: http://www.imts.com https://www.strategiccoach.com

It’s the beginning of a new year, which for many is a time to start following through with resolutions and goals. Unfortunately, many people come to find that many of those resolutions don’t always pan out the way we would like them to. If you’re serious about making a change, it’s important that you put specific, time-bound goals in place to help you achieve success. "You've got to work on the big rocks before you work on the pebbles in the sand." In this episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason discuss their main goals for the new year, goal setting for your manufacturing business, a story of priorities and a jar, and manufacturing news. Using the purchase of a new CNC machine as an example, Jim and Jason show you different methods that will help you get one step closer to achieving your short, and long-term goals. Episode Outline: [0:07] - Intro [1:55] - Manufacturing News [06:30] - Call to Action for Listeners [07:10] - MakingChips Website [08:45] - Our Main Goals [10:20] - Rocks [14:45] - Complexity in Today’s Business World [16:10] - SMART Goals [20:55] - Goals for Zenger’s [22:30] - Key Motivations [25:00] - Jim’s Goals [28:44] - Conclusion of Episode Article Mentioned in this Episode: http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/04/news/economy/us-manufacturing-shrinks-again/

Some people think additive manufacturing will radically change the face of manufacturing. Although it is still a relatively new technology, additive manufacturing (also referred to as 3D Printing) has caused quite the buzz in the manufacturing community. Will additive manufacturing eventually become the way of the future, or has it's usefulness been overhyped? “Additive can not do its adding anywhere near as fast as machining can do it’s subtracting." - Peter Zelinski In this episode of MakingChips, we welcome back Peter Zelinski of Modern Machine Shop Magazine. Peter, Jim, and Jason discuss all things Additive Manufacturing, as well as the importance of manufacturing discussion among the presidential candidates. “Manufacturing happens in small facilities.” -Peter Zelinski Episode Outline: [00:17] - Episode Preview [01:26] - Welcome Back Pete [02:00] - What Guided Pete to Manufacturing? [05:30] - Additive Manufacturing [07:50] - Is Additive Manufacturing Overhyped? [11:30] - Additive Manufacturing Under the Radar [13:00] - Modified Machines [15:01] - Can Additive Encourage Domestic Production? [18:00] - Presidential Candidates and Manufacturing [22:40] - Prototyping vs Production [24:00] - Additive vs Machining [27:30] - Call to Action for Listeners [29:45] - How to Reach Peter Zelinski Links Mentioned in this Episode: additivemanufacturing.media mmsonline.com

This is MakingChips Episode 50! In this episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason recap some of their favorite episodes and interviews from the last year. This episode highlights the story behind MakingChips, as Jim and Jason share their experiences from the beginning to where they are today. “Jason and I really want to thank each and every one of you for tuning in every week, listening to us, being with us, and taking this ride with us. We had no idea that it was going to be as popular and successful as it has been so far. We’re really working hard (very hard) to make it even better.” Episode Outline: [00:08] Episode Preview [01:52] The Story Behind MakingChips [05:15] Hiccups along the Way [06:40] Episode 1 [07:50] Episode 2 [08:20] Recession [09:20] One of our Favorite Episodes [10:00] It’s Not Your Dad’s Machine Shop [11:25] The Power of Networking [12:24] Robots in your Shop [13:00] Skip Generation [13:20] Fernando Ortiz [14:00] Most Downloaded Episodes [15:00] San Diego [15:45] Michelle Mabry [16:30] Patricia Miller [18:09] Jon Baklund [18:18] Eric and Heidi Schmid [19:30] Focus on What You’re Good At [20:00] Tom Hilaris [20:25] Workshops for Warriors [22:45] Julie Poulos [23:30] LinkedIn [25:20] Thank You Listeners [25:45] Jason’s Call to Action [26:24] Thank You Guests

What makes a good leader? Leadership is the single most important factor in the success or failure of any business. Great leaders use their leadership traits to motivate, inspire, and build high performance teams around them. The role of an innovative leader greatly differs from the conventional image that many people hold of good leadership. What kind of qualities do these innovative leaders share? “The innovators in this industry, (machining, desecrate part production) are engaged together in this huge open source effort at figuring manufacturing out.” – Peter Zelinski In this Episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Peter Zelinski of Modern Machine Shop Magazine. Peter has been a writer and editor for Modern Machine Shop for more than a decade. Peter regularly visits machining facilities to learn about the manufacturing technology, systems and strategies they have adopted, and the successes they’ve realized as a result. He shares many of his insights from these experiences with us, including 4 Traits of Modern Manufacturing Leaders and 3 Deep Level Trends in Manufacturing. “Even making metal parts is ultimately a people business.” – Peter Zelinski Peter Zelinski’s 4 Traits of Modern Manufacturing Leaders: Authenticity Persistence Love Genuine Regard for People 3 Deep Level Trends in Manufacturing: Automation Additive Atmosphere Episode Outline: [00:07] Intro/Preview [01:36] Manufacturing News [04:30] Welcome Peter Zelinski [07:45] Leadership Characteristics [09:10] Authenticity [10:32] Persistence [12:50] Baby Steps [13:35] Process Improvement [19:40] Love What You Do [22:15] Regard for People [25:00] Value of the Employee [26:22] Bad Traits [29:20] Culture Changes (Atmosphere) [33:10] Jason’s Call to Action for Listeners Shops Mentioned in this Episode: Rekluse Motor Sports in Idaho Baklund R&D in Minnesota C&A Tool in Indiana Byrne Tool and Die in Michigan Tech Manufacturing Co in Missouri Also Mentioned in this Episode: Three Ways That Smarter Mobility Is Transforming Efficiency On The Manufacturing Floor Modern Machine Shop

The thought of leaving your machine shop for even a few hours can be enough to cause anxiety for many manufacturing leaders, so it may seem impossible to imagine running your business from halfway across the country. “To make manufacturing work, to make money, you feel like you have to grab it so hard it slips through your fingers.” – Eric Schmid In this extended episode of MakingChips, we sit down with brother and sister Eric Schmid and Heidi Schaefer of Schmid Tool and Engineering. Eric and Heidi share their story of how and why they made the decision to work remotely, while still maintaining their respective roles in the company. There were many important decisions that they needed to make along the way in order to ensure a seamless transition. This episode covers a range of topics that can help manufacturing leaders decide if working remotely is the right move for them. Topics include Letting Go of Control, Planning the Transition, Bumps in the Road, Being Accessible, Holding Accountability, and Mastering Fear. Episode Outline: [0:07] Intro/ Preview [1:34] Manufacturing News [5:00] Welcome Heidi and Eric [6:10] The Roots of Schmid Tool [7:40] Roles in the Business [9:30] Working Remotely [11:40] Letting Go of Control [14:00] Planning the Transition [14:50] Bumps in the Road [17:00] Being Accessible [19:00] How Do You Let Go? [22:30] Cultural Consistencies [24:00] Making the Move [27:20] Management and Leadership [29:20] Steps to Working Remotely [31:25] The Illusion of Control [33:00] Accountability [35:30] Mastering Fear [37:00] Give and Take [38:40] Helping the Owners [40:00] Conclusion

Last week on MakingChips, we sat down with Craig Zoberis of Fusion OEM for the first half of a two part interview. This week, we cover a range of topics relating to a company’s Core Values. In part two of this episode, Craig shares with us his set of Core Values that define his company while guiding his team member’s actions. Later on, Craig presents us with his insight about the difference between generic Core Values, or what he calls “The Ticket of Doing Business”, and meaningful Core Values that resonate with his employees. The Right Core Values: Strive for Simplicity Show Gratitude Be Flexible Have Fun See Possibilities Go Home Safely Episode Outline: [1:23] – The Daily Huddle [4:00] – How to Handle Sharing Bad News [6:00] – Identifying Bottlenecks [7:00] – Managing Different Schedules [9:00] – Expectations of the Huddle [11:00] – The Three “I’s” [12:15] – Jim Asks Whether Everyone Gets It [15:45] – Employee Growth and Trust [16:30] – The Wrong Core Values [18:45] – The Right Core Values [23:50] – Jason on Core Values [25:40] – Fusion OEM’s Monthly Rock Star Program [30:29] – Jason’s Call to Action for Listeners [32:00] – Outtakes (Craig and Jason Discuss Books) Mentioned in this Episode: Nuts!: Southwest Airlines’ Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success No, the Customer is Not Always Right « Albert’s Organics Blog Blog – Fusion OEM Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business [Book] The E-Myth Revisited [Book] Double Double – Cameron Herold Vern Harnish Exponential Organizations

In the modern business era, we consistently hear the terms “core values” and “company culture”. Among many other business terms, we have integrated these words into our everyday language. But what are company core values and why are they so important? In this two part episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason sit down with Craig Zoberis, founder and current president ofFusion OEM. Fusion is an OEM contract manufacturer for industrial OEM’s whose offerings range from Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and Kanban system systems for machined parts and private labeling equipment. Craig founded Fusion OEM from his home in Illinois, and has grown the company exponentially since it’s inception in 2002. In 2009, Ink magazine named Fusion OEM as one of the 500 fastest growing privately held companies in the country. Craig begins by giving us a bit of information on his background, what sparked the idea for Fusion OEM, and what his business is all about. Later in the episode, he shares valuable insight on his company’s culture, customers, and core values. Outline of this Episode [0:08] – Intro (Preview) [1:26] – Veterans Day (Workshops for Warriors) [4:12] – Welcoming Craig Zoberis [7:20] – Fusion OEM [12:30] – What Sparked the Idea for Fusion OEM? [16:15] – Fusion’s “Ecosystem” [21:55] – People [24:00] – Core Values [25:30] – Wrong Core Values [30:20] – Jason’s Example of Core Values [32:26] – End of Episode Mentioned in this Episode Workshop for Warriors (http://www.workshopforwarriors.org) “Who: A Method for Hiring” by Geoff Smart and Randy Street (http://www.whothebook.com) “The Advantage” by Patrick Lencioni (http://www.tablegroup.com/oh)

In this episode of MakingChips, hosts Jim and Jason talk about millennials, the future of manufacturing, and 7 millennial traits that baby boomers need to learn. The Millennial Generation is made up of people born around the early 1980s to the early 2000s. Currently they make up nearly 1 in 3 American workers. With 3.5 million manufacturing jobs expected to be created in the future it is important for manufacturing leaders to have an understanding of what drives millennials. Jim and Jason cover 7 different traits of millennials to help older generations understand their needs and passions. 7 Millennial Traits Explained in this Episode Passion Risk-Taking Work and Life Balance Project Based Thinking Energized Through Newly Learned Skills Spontaneity Travelers Outline of This Episode [0:07] – Intro (Preview) [1:56] – MAZAK Discover 2015 Event [6:35] – Millennials in Manufacturing [8:40] – 7 Different Traits of Millennials [22:31] – Recap and Questions [24:00] – Outro Article Mentioned in this Episode http://www.inc.com/evan-burns/7-millennial-traits-that-baby-boomer-employers-need-to-learn.html