Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders
416 episodes - English - Latest episode: 27 days ago - ★★★★★ - 82 ratingsManufacturing is challenging, but if you are connected to a community of leaders, you can elevate your skills, solve your problems and grow your business! MakingChips was launched in 2014 to equip and inspire the metalworking nation. Hundreds of episodes and a million downloads later, it’s an industry-leading source of information, inspiration, and entertainment for manufacturing leaders of all types. It’s hosted by Jason Zenger and Nick Goellner, two multi-generational manufacturing leaders, and they’re joined by a rotating panel of expert guests – including Titan Gilroy (TITANS of CNC), John Saunders (NYC CNC), Mark TerryBerry (Haas Automation), and many more. Join us as we tackle the topics that keep you up at night - leadership, operations, technology, growth, workforce development and culture.
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Episodes
MC066: A Community of Makers - The Catalyst for Catalyze with Bill Fienup
May 11, 2016 04:15 - 39 minutes - 72 MBWhen it comes to starting up your own business, it isn’t always easy finding the the right space for exploring, creating, and developing your new ideas. What if you could assemble a community of like-minded people in a place where you can share ideas, be inspired, and collaborate with other creators. "It started with four or five people, grew to 400, and now we've built a physical home for that community." - Bill Fienup On this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Bill Fienup, co-found...
MC065: Creating a Successful eBay Campaign for your Machine Tool
April 20, 2016 08:21 - 28 minutes - 52.5 MBThere are several options when it comes to selling one of your old machines. Some are more convenient than others, but might offer you less money than what you expected. With a little bit of added effort, you can get the most money out of your old machine. On this episode of MakingChips, Jim shares his steps for creating a successful eBay campaign. We also talk about the upcoming IMTS 2016, Chicago restaurants, and the problems the U.S. faces in manufacturing. Episode Outline: [00:07] - Ep...
MC064: Inspiring the Next Generation of Makers - The Shop Rat Foundation with Kelly Burr
April 14, 2016 11:34 - 29 minutes - 54.8 MBThe Manufacturing Industry of today looks a lot different than it did 20 or 30 years ago. Modern machine shops are safe, clean working environments; equipped with high-tech machinery. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma associated with manufacturing as a "dirty" and "dark" profession. So how do we change this perception amongst our youth? Or perhaps more importantly, their parents, whose misperceptions of the industry might lead them to believe that a four-year college degree is the only...
MC063: Manage & Mitigate - Developing a Crisis Plan for your Manufacturing Company with Scott McPherson
April 05, 2016 17:19 - 46 minutes - 84.7 MBThere is an old saying: “Expect the best, prepare for the worst.” It’s not something we want to think about, and it can be a difficult topic to discuss. Crises don’t happen very often, but when they do occur, they tend to have significant consequences. Without a well-thought out, strategic plan, your business is at risk of being completely caught off guard should a disaster happen. "Know that a crisis will happen at some point. It's just a question of how big it is or how small it is. The t...
MC062: Manufacturing a Community - Accelerating Success with a Mastermind Group
March 29, 2016 20:35 - 27 minutes - 50.4 MBThroughout history, successful individuals such as Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison all met with groups of like-minded people on a regular basis, to help one another achieve common goals and grow. Today, this concept is called a “mastermind”, and is very well known amongst successful business owners. In fact, many consider some concept of a mastermind group as a critical part to maintaining a healthy network. "Whether it's a problem that you need to solve, whether it's creati...
MC061: Riches in the Niches
March 17, 2016 16:36 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MBWe come to you from two separate locations (Dallas & Chicago) on this remote episode of MakingChips. Today we talk about establishing and exploring your manufacturing company’s niche. Jim and Jason share their idea of what niche means to them in their respective companies. In Manufacturing News we discuss Five Vital Steps to Set Up a Successful Manufacturing Business. We also recap the TMA’s 90th annual meeting, and introduce a new MakingChips partnership. Episode Outline: [00:07] - Episod...
MC060: An Industry of Makers - 2016 Crain's Manufacturers Summit with Special Guests
March 09, 2016 00:04 - 26 minutes - 49.4 MBOn this special episode of MakingChips, we recap the 2016 Crain's Manufacturers Summit with interviews from several VIP guests. First, we speak with John Sapiente of Elgin Die Mold and Trident Manufacturing about the challenges of running two businesses. Second, we have Jason Scher of Vosges Chocolate who speaks to us about working with your spouse, and the evolution of Vosges Chocolate. We also have a conversation with Tom Pellette of Caterpillar, where we discuss Caterpillar's supply chain...
MC059: Women in Manufacturing - Stamping Out a New Vision with Erica Wiegel
February 24, 2016 18:41 - 29 minutes - 40 MBWomen are the future of manufacturing industry leaders and essential to the success of the industry. However, many women in manufacturing have experienced a gender bias which has excluded them from core managerial roles such as production supervisors and operations managers. Compounding the issue, many people think of manufacturing jobs as dirty, unskilled, back-breaking labor. That’s not the case anymore... "When the five years had passed and I hadn't done anything, that's when I had to r...
MC058: "Life is Great!" - Developing Your Core Values
February 17, 2016 18:11 - 37 minutes - 51.8 MBA few months ago, we met with Craig Zoberis of Fusion OEM to talk about his company's Core Values. In that episode, we covered the importance of figuring out who you are as a company and what you stand for. More than anything, being a leader is about staying true to the values and principles that you have built your company on. Leadership also imparts the responsibility of holding your vision even as it becomes more tempting to disengage and simply enjoy the fruits of success. “You come to...
MC057: Creating a Future Workforce - How a Council of Manufacturing Leaders Takes a High School Metals Program to the Next Level - with Rob Stuebing
February 10, 2016 21:00 - 25 minutes - 34.7 MBLast week, we talked with Frank Holthouse about East Leyden High School’s Metals Program, and how they are providing an environment for students to learn modern manufacturing practices. This week, we continue that discussion. What can we do to spark interest in manufacturing to the younger generation? How can you replicate the success of Leyden’s Metals Program in your own community? “We need to see more of this in high schools … Those in the industry should be pushing their local high scho...
MC056: From World War II to Today: The Metals Program at Leyden High School
February 03, 2016 20:40 - 30 minutes - 24.7 MBJust a few years ago there were stories of mass layoffs in the manufacturing industry. Now, that is no longer the case. In 2015, Forbes listed Machining as one of the top 10 hardest jobs to fill in the United States. Today, Manufacturers are increasingly looking to high schools and community colleges to fill current staffing needs. Many schools are working to meet demand by modernizing their manufacturing education programs. “We’re very proud of where we are, and where we’ve taken our pr...
MC055: Hands-On Skill Demonstrations: Beyond the Resume with Elena Valentine
January 27, 2016 18:15 - 27 minutes - 22.2 MBAn important part of what makes a manufacturing leader successful is their ability to think outside of the box. This line of thinking should also extend to the hiring process. Successful companies are good at bringing the right people into their team, but it isn't always so easy. What if you had the ability to see candidates in action before you made a decision about who to hire? “Manufacturing has always been sexy... It just needs a generational communications facelift.” - Elena Valentine ...
MC054 - Human-Centric Hiring with Elena Valentine
January 20, 2016 17:22 - 29 minutes - 23.4 MBFinding 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 c...
MC053: Effective Delegation for Manufacturing Leaders
January 14, 2016 20:52 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBFor 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...
MC052 - Goal Setting for Manufacturing Leaders
January 08, 2016 23:15 - 30 minutes - 24.4 MBIt’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 J...
MC051 - Additive Manufacturing
December 23, 2015 21:53 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBSome 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 Ma...
MC050 - A Year in Review
December 16, 2015 11:00 - 27 minutes - 22.4 MBThis 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 su...
MC049 - Characteristics of a Manufacturing Leader
December 09, 2015 10:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBWhat 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 togethe...
MC048 - Growing a Machining Business While Living 1,400 Miles Away
December 02, 2015 18:09 - 41 minutes - 33.3 MBThe 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 ...
MC047 - The Ecosystem of a Manufacturing Leader
November 25, 2015 10:00 - 33 minutes - 27.2 MBLast 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 Val...
MC046 - What Makes Fusion OEM Unique
November 18, 2015 17:24 - 33 minutes - 26.5 MBIn 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 (VM...
MC045 - Millennials in Manufacturing
November 11, 2015 11:00 - 26 minutes - 21.5 MBIn 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 c...
MC044 - Task Management For Manufacturing Leaders
November 04, 2015 11:00 - 44 minutes - 35.7 MBEpisode 44 of MakingChips is inspired by Matthew Feight of Miller Welding. He writes: I should start by saying that I am a Plant Manager for contract manufacturer in central Pennsylvania. We have approximately 400 employees within our 3 locations and are a contract manufacturer of fabricated metal products with capabilities in cutting, bending, welding, machining & painting. I was just referred to your podcasts yesterday by the President of our Company. I have listened to several of your e...
MC043 - How to implement ERP (Enterprise Resource Management) in your manufacturing shop wisely
October 14, 2015 09:00 - 24 minutes - 19.8 MBGet out your scuba gear, we’re taking a deep dive today! In this episode of Making Chips Jason and Jim are with a guest, John Berard who has a ton of experience in the research and implementation of ERP (Enterprise Resource Management) systems in manufacturing businesses. John’s got a lot of actionable advice for both the small and larger size manufacturing operations about how to determine your ERP needs, how to find and choose and ERP system, how much budget to set aside for the purchase, ...
The benefit of associations and chambers for your manufacturing company
October 07, 2015 10:00 - 20 minutes - 16.1 MBChambers of commerce have been around for a very long time. The very first recorded mention of a chamber of commerce was in Marseille, .France in 1599. Trade associations have an equally long history with Associations finding their roots in organizations such as the church, medieval craft guilds, and merchant trading groups. Both groups still exist today and could be an important avenue through which your manufacturing business receives support, stays engaged with your community or industry,...
MC041: Why you should advertise your machine shop on Facebook
September 30, 2015 10:00 - 21 minutes - 17.6 MBWord of mouth advertising still works. It’s wonderful when a satisfied customer tells someone else about their experience with your company. But there are more options today than just relying on word of mouth. Technology and social media have created the opportunity to put your advertisements in front of the people who are most likely to buy your products or use your services. How is it possible? Through data that is collected through platforms like Facebook. In this episode of Making Chips,...
MC040: Demystifying the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI)
September 23, 2015 10:00 - 24 minutes - 19.4 MBThe world has changed since the days of your grandfather’s old, dusty, dingy manufacturing shop. Technology and a global economy are forcing these changes and the American manufacturing industry is changing along with it. Small manufacturers now have to compete on a global level and it’s to the advantage of all manufacturers within the United States to come together and collaborate so the U.S. manufacturing industry can remain a dominant force in the global economy. It’s to that end that a g...
MC039: A Young Woman with Manufacturing Dreams: A conversation with Michelle Mabry
September 16, 2015 10:00 - 25 minutes - 20.7 MBMC039: A Young Woman with Manufacturing Dreams: A conversation with Michelle Mabry Traditionally the manufacturing industry has been dominated by the presence of men. That’s not a bad thing. But it’s not necessarily a good thing either. Today’s episode of Making Chips is a conversation with one of the many young women who are stepping into the once-male-dominated manufacturing industry and making a very positive difference. When Michelle Mabry moved to Chicago she enrolled in a welding c...
MC038: Growing your Manufacturing Business Through Acquisitions with Tom Hilaris
September 09, 2015 10:00 - 30 minutes - 24.5 MBBusiness growth what we all want to see. More customers, more jobs, and more revenue. But there are other ways to grow your company, including the purchase or acquisition of another company in your niche. In this episode of Making Chips Jason and Jim chat with Tom Hilaris who has recently become CEO of Ergoseal, a company that manufactures seals for OEMs in the industrial and aerospace rotating equipment industries. Within a two month period Tom’s company acquired 2 other companies and grew ...
MC037: Innovation in the Manufacturing Industry - Part 2, with Sarah Calidcott
September 02, 2015 09:00 - 35 minutes - 28.2 MBIn this great part-two episode, Jason and Jim continue their conversation with Sarah Caldicott. Besides being an extremely intelligent student of business and innovation, Sarah is an author and the great grandniece of Thomas Edison. Her study and writing is largely based on her own interest in her famous relative who was not only an amazing inventor, but also a manufacturer in his own right. Listen in to hear tales of Edison’s life and systems and why his contributions to the manufacturing i...
MC036: Innovation in the Manufacturing Industry, with Sarah Calidcott
August 26, 2015 10:00 - 21 minutes - 16.9 MBThomas Edison was an undeniable genius. His processes and inventions still influence the way we live our lives today. Today’s conversation is one that will turn the lights on (no pun intended) for you and your manufacturing team if you’ll open yourself up to some ways of thinking about how you run your business. Today’s guest is Sarah Caldicott, author and great grandniece of Thomas Edison. Her new book “Midnight Lunch” profiles many of the strategies of collaboration and innovation that ...
MC035: Rebuilding Manufacturing One Veteran At a Time - Workshops for Warriors - part 2 [PODCAST]
August 19, 2015 10:00 - 19 minutes - 15.4 MBThe last episode of Making Chips featured a conversation with Hernán Luis y Prado, U.S. veteran and founder of Workshops for Warriors. This episode is a continuation of that important conversation. Hernán is passionate to see two things: the manufacturing industry rebuilt in a sustainable, truly effective way, and the reintegration of veterans into the American society and workforce. Hear how Workshops for Warriors is doing that in their San Diego training facility and how they have achieved...
MC034: Rebuilding Manufacturing One Veteran At a Time - Workshops for Warriors - part 1 [PODCAST]
August 12, 2015 10:00 - 29 minutes - 23.8 MBThere is a problem in the United States among Veterans of the U.S. Military After sacrificing a great deal to protect their homeland, U.S. Veterans often struggle to find their place in civilian society. It’s especially difficult for those who are injured or disabled and come home to industries and jobs that are not suited to their newfound disability. Many fall into drug use, crime, and other non-productive walks of life. Workshops for Warriors is the vision of one man, a veteran himsel...
MC033: Business Management Tools for Manufacturing Leaders [PODCAST]
July 29, 2015 16:30 - 22 minutes - 18.1 MBThe nature of things in the manufacturing industry has changed. Gone are the days when a physical filing system will adequately contain all the documents and resources you need to help your company thrive. The technology era is here and the manufacturing leaders of the future will be the ones who are able to stay on top of the ever changing technical world and use it to the advantage of their company and employees. In this episode of Making Chips, Jim and Jason point out 3 tools they use con...
MC032: How to Maximize your Employee Annual Reviews, with Karla Dobbeck [PODCAST]
July 22, 2015 10:00 - 30 minutes - 24.9 MBWhy are employee annual reviews a bad idea? It’s not the idea of having a meeting with employees that’s a bad idea, it’s the verbiage we use to describe what is happening. An “annual review” or “evaluation” has a top-down implication that puts the employee in a helpless and often defensive posture. They are going to be evaluated, rather than a much more positive approach that could enlist the employee in their own performance improvement. In this episode of Making Chips Jim and Jason spe...
MC031: Bringing Manufacturing Jobs Back to the U.S. - the Reshoring Initiative with Harry Moser [PODCAST]
July 15, 2015 09:00 - 31 minutes - 24.9 MBOutsourcing jobs to China and other countries used to be the most affordable option for many manufacturing companies. But changes to the global economy have caused changes that make it not only affordable, but even advantageous for U.S. Manufacturers to bring jobs home. Harry Moser is a veteran of the manufacturing industry and upon retirement he took the initiative to being an organization focused on doing exactly that. Find out more about The Reshoring Initiative and what it’s doing to pro...
MC030: How to get rid of that “Bad Apple” in the shop - Human Resources management with Karla Dobbeck [PODCAST]
July 08, 2015 09:00 - 34 minutes - 27.8 MBEvery employer has to deal with the complex issues that are a part of employment law in the modern age. But they also have to run a shop that is well-tuned and efficient. Too often those two responsibilities conflict in ways that they don’t expect. In this episode of Making Chips, Jason and Jim are going to chat with Karla Dobbeck, a Human Resources specialist who has some very practical, insightful advice for manufacturing employers on how to deal with those “bad apples” that show up from t...
MC029: Job costing: What are the recommended ways to cost out a job? [PODCAST]
July 06, 2015 13:04 - 35 minutes - 28.3 MBToday’s episode of Making Chips features a listener question. You can leave your question for Jim and Jason to answer by going to www.MakingChips.com to leave your question. They just might answer it on an upcoming podcast episode. Today’s question has to do with costing out a job. Is there a standard formula or way to price out jobs in light of workers who are manning more than one machine, etc.? Jim has years of experience in costing out jobs so he’s got a lot to share in this episode. Bu...
MC028: Manufacturing Industry advice through the eyes of a newbie, with Patricia Miller [PODCAST]
June 17, 2015 09:00 - 30 minutes - 24.7 MBWe introduced you to Patricia Miller of Matrix IV back in episode 26 and in today’s episode we’re going to do a deeper dive into the challenges and victories Patricia has faced as she’s taken over the reigns of her family’s ailing manufacturing company. The insights she shares as a former marketer from the biotech field, looking into the manufacturing industry for the first time, are very insightful and worth a listen. As Patricia Miller took over the reigns of her grandfather’s failing ...
MC027: Marketing tactics you should STOP right now! [PODCAST]
June 10, 2015 09:00 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBMarketing is an important part of any business. It’s got to be because it’s how you let people know who you are and what you do. That’s something that can never change. But the WAY you marketing has GOT to change. Why? Because the world we live in changes. People are repulsed or attracted by different things today than they were even a few years ago. Marketing has got to flex with the times. In this episode of Making Chips, Jim Carr and Jason Zenger walk you through their personal mindse...
MC026: Moving an old-school manufacturing business into the modern age with Patricia Miller of Matrix IV [PODCAST]
June 04, 2015 18:00 - 32 minutes - 25.8 MBThat’s what Patricia Miller’s professional associates told her when she started investigating the possibility of taking over her family business after she’d already pursued and been successful at a career that included marketing, corporate leadership, and politics. Put yourself in her shoes and you’ll probably understand why they said what they did. She’d already experienced many perks that manufacturing leaders seldom do. Travel, posh offices, important connections - yet, she says her heart...
MC025: Why you should hire your next manufacturing leader from high school [PODCAST]
May 27, 2015 08:30 - 28 minutes - 22.6 MBIt’s a manufacturing renaissance Where do you typically find the best employees for your manufacturing company? How do you go about finding them? As you’ll hear from Jim and Jason’s stories in this podcast episode, everyone gets into the business through a different path. But the guys believe there’s a huge reservoir of future manufacturing leaders in High School students. Why High School students? Because they represent an untapped, teachable, ready-to-train class of workers who ar...
MC024: 6 reasons why every manufacturing leader should be on LinkedIn [Podcast]
May 20, 2015 08:30 - 23 minutes - 18.8 MBIf you are a manufacturing leader and you are not on LinkedIn, you don’t exist. - Jim Carr That’s how strongly Jim feels about the power of having a presence on LinkedIn. It’s not just for job-seekers, it’s for anyone who wants to engage in dialogue and exchange of information in a business niche. Manufacturing is one of those and you might be surprised at the amount of information flowing back and forth behind the scenes through the LinkedIn network. In this episode, Jim and Jason a...
MC023: SFPM - Surface Feet Per Minute - a fundamental skill for every machinist [Podcast]
May 13, 2015 08:30 - 22 minutes - 17.7 MBIf you don’t know how to calculate SFPM, you’re losing money! Every now and then we like to go to square one to discuss some fundamental issues surrounding the work done in the average machine shop. This episode is one of those episodes. Jim and Jason are talking SFPM - Surface Feet Per Minute in this episode. If you don’t understand what SFPM is, or if you don’t know how to calculate it, you need to listen in to this episode. Properly calculating SFPM is a fundamental machine shop s...
MC022: Taking your corporate snapshot
May 06, 2015 08:30 - 25 minutes - 20.3 MBA corporate snapshot that has nothing to do with a camera! Shop owners know what they do because they do it every day. But how do you communicate your areas of specialty and expertise in a concise, powerful way so that your prospective clients are able to get it right off? That’s what a corporate snapshot is for. In this episode of Making Chips, Jim and Jason invite 3 guests into the study who specialize in helping businesses create their very own corporate snapshot. Their guests ...
MC021: 3D Printing in the modern machine shop - with Jon Baklund
May 01, 2015 16:47 - 25 minutes - 20.3 MBToday Jason and Jim are coming to you from Chicago, the “Windy City!” They are there because they’re chatting with Jon Baklund, a veteran tool and die maker who started in the manufacturing industry when he was 19. His father still works in the shop daily, and his wife works in the business as well - so it’s a true “family” business. His business, Baklund R & D is heavily involved in #d printing, which is a very intriguing new aspect of the manufacturing industry. 3D printing is a newer ...
MC020: Vending Systems - the how, what, and why for your machine shop [Podcast]
April 27, 2015 13:00 - 30 minutes - 24.5 MBThis is a hot topic edition where Jim is asking Jason about vending systems for the machine shop. You may have the impression that vending machines are just for the huge companies that crank out bazillions of widgets every day. But is that true? You’re going to find out that and a ton more about machine shop vending systems in this episode of Making Chips. There are many misconceptions about vending systems and much resistance to the idea that a small shop could actually benefit from usi...
MC019: Marketing Lesson #1 - Brand Strategy for your Manufacturing Company
April 20, 2015 09:00 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBIn this episode, we interview Julie Poulos about the brand image of your manufacturing company and why strategy is most important. Being “the best kept secret” should NOT be your goal. Julie tells us why starting with a new website or a new logo is NOT the right first step. Marketing Steps: 1. Competitive Analysis 2. Interviews 3. Online Analytics 4. Influencer Identification (Defining Your Buyer Types) 5. Develop the Plan Jim and I want you to be equipped when you are having a discussion ...
MC018: The Third Place for Engineers with Ray Zaganto
April 13, 2015 09:00 - 28 minutes - 26 MBIn this episode, we interview Ray Zaganto, who created a new concept called “The Hardware Store” for reaching his customers by being innovative, thinking outside the box and finding the Alpha Engineer. Your "first place" is your home. Your ”second place" is the workplace. The “third place” is another location that connects you into a community and facilitates creative interaction. A lot of companies do not have the resources to outfit a standalone location and create a third place, but as ...
MC017: Industrial Real Estate Strategies with Michael Magliano
April 06, 2015 08:30 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBIn this episode, we interview Michael Magliano, an industrial real estate broker from Cushman & Wakefield, about strategies for buying, selling and leasing industrial real estate. In our Manufacturing News segment, we discuss an article that asks the question: “What Do Manufacturing Workers Want From Their Employer.”