Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Today's episode of MakingChips is recorded at a special LIVE Tri-State Manufacturing Alliance (TSMA) event in conjunction with the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership. We are joined by three amazing panelists: Leah Curry: The President at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana David Conner: The CFO at Anchor Industries in Evansville, IN Matthew Nix: President at Nix Companies in Poseyville, IN Each panelist shares their perspective on the importance of taking care of your people, implementing the right processes, and how to compel and measure performance. We also have the pleasure of announcing this year's Manufacturing Excellence Award. Don't miss out on a unique perspective from manufacturing leaders in the trenches! Segments [0:33] Don't forget to register for IMTS! [1:43] Learn more about each of us! [7:41] Successfully hiring and retaining top talent [25:10] Processes and procedures to meet customer demand [35:55] The PDCA process: Plan, do, check, and act [39:10] The impact of compensation and benefits on performance [44:44] Applying gamification to impact performance [49:01] How to recover culture post-COVID [52:43] Making processes adaptable when hiring and promoting [56:52] Presenting the manufacturing excellence award [1:02:31] Make sure to listen to the MakingChips Podcast! Resources mentioned on this episode Register for IMTS Keeping the Culture High in A virtual World Leah Curry David Conner Matthew Nix Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

We're on a five-hour drive to a speaking event for the Tri-State Machining Association (TSMA) so we thought, why not do an episode on the importance of travel for manufacturing leaders? In this special episode of MakingChips, we cover the benefits of travel, the potential downsides, and how to use your time wisely when you're on the road. Welcome to MakingTrips. Segments [0:35] Don't forget to book a hotel for IMTS 2022! [2:27] Welcome to our special edition: "MakingTrips" [3:16] Is travel necessary for a manufacturing leader? [7:04] Manufacturing news: The price of gas [11:23] The hidden benefits of travel [16:53] Use your time wisely when traveling [18:49] The dangers of traveling too much [21:14] You have to establish travel guidelines [23:41] Weighing the cost of travel against the ROI [26:07] Get out of your cave—go and see for yourself [28:20] Identify and connect with the decision-makers Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! Book a hotel for IMTS 2022! Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

What do you do when an employee resigns? How do you handle their departure in a dignified way? What do you do when you have to let someone go? You have to handle each scenario differently—and sometimes gingerly. So in this episode of MakingChips, we walk through navigating the exit process. Paul Van Metre joins us to share how ProShop ERP can make the transition easier. Segments [0:26] Come see us at IMTS 2022! [3:14] What's happening in our worlds [5:07] Manufacturing News: What's happening in Ukraine? [7:28] What do you do when someone resigns? [10:37] The formalities of the exit process [13:38] Paul shares how ProShop ERP can ease the transition [19:50] What happens when you have to let someone go? [22:10] What Jim's Dad would have done Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! Register for IMTS 2022 ProShop ERP Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

What do you expect from your employees? Do you expect them to think like an owner? Or just clock in and get their work done? Are they compensated for your expectations? In this episode of MakingChips, we'll cover the bonus incentive plan I've structured for my core team. I'll share the goals of the program, how to determine what behaviors to incentivize, what the reward(s) will be, and an easy way to manage it. Don't miss it! Segments [2:16] ZENGERS new bonus incentive program [2:50] What's happening in the lives of ZENGERS and Carr [5:59] Illinois and Chicago's Vaccine and Mask Mandates to End Feb. 28th [9:03] How I structure my bonus incentive program [13:15] The 4 goals of my bonus incentive program [15:39] How to determine what behaviors to incentivize [23:53] The goal of the incentive program is to drive results [26:20] Determine the reward of your incentive program [28:17] How to manage your bonus incentive program [32:33] Are you incentivizing what someone is paid to do? Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! Illinois and Chicago's Vaccine and Mask Mandates to End Feb. 28th, Anticipation Builds for IMTS 2022 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

As our team begins to grow at Carr Machine & Tool, I believe it's time to hire for a middle management position. But what is middle management? What does a middle management role consist of? Will implementing this role truly solve our problems? Jason helps me talk through the challenges I'm facing in this episode of Making Chips! Any tips, tricks, or ideas to help me through this? Reach out at Jim@MakingChips.com. I'd love to hear from you! Segments [2:00] Does my shop need middle management? [4:46] What's happening in our worlds [7:33] BIG NEWS: Meet us at IMTS 2022! [8:36] Manufacturing is a high-tech frontier [15:48] What does a middle management role consist of? [18:54] How to determine if you need middle management roles [24:49] The core problem we're trying to solve [30:45] What is the biggest role of a middle manager? Resources mentioned on this episode What Has Led to the Manufacturing Labor Shortage? Why Middle Management is So Exhausting and What to Do about it International Manufacturing Technology Show 2022 ProShop ERP Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

How do you keep corporate culture alive when your workforce is completely remote? How do you focus your company on your values, mission, and goals? When a thriving company culture is crucial to retaining your employees, it can't be neglected. We dissect this problem we're facing because of the COVID pandemic—and 6 possible ways to promote and maintain your unique company culture—in this episode of MakingChips. Segments [2:11] How remote work impacts company culture [4:57] What is corporate culture? [6:27] What's happening in our worlds [8:09] Celebrating our 50th Anniversary our way [10:05] Artificial intelligence in manufacturing [15:20] Corporate culture in a virtual world [18:23] Tip #1: Populate your social stream [20:38] Tip #2: Start a virtual club [21:34] Tip #3: Embrace video calls [25:40] Tip #4: Gamify your platform [26:56] Tip #5: Create an expert's area [28:27] Tip #6: Keep your company mission alive Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! ProShopERP.com OTT-JAKOB How to Keep Company Culture Alive When Remote Working: 6 Proven Strategies Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Is the labor shortage accelerating automation? Why is there a perception that automation is both risky and complex? How do you lead your elders with authority yet humility? To dovetail—or not to dovetail? These are the questions that we hash out with Michael Gaunce, the VP of Sales for Tooling and Workholding at SCHUNK. We take a deep look into the technical side of workholding and automation in this episode of Making Chips. Now is the time to embrace automation. Because if you're not making chips efficiently, you're not making money! Segments [2:55] What's happening in our lives [5:23] 2022 Labor and Employment Outlook for Manufacturers [9:09] Learn more about Michael Gaunce [12:47] Is the labor shortage accelerating automation? [15:20] The perception that automation is risky or complex [19:10] Two ways to do automation machine-tending [27:42] A conversation on workholding [32:55] To dovetail or not to dovetail? [39:01] Leading your elders with authority and humility Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss 2022 Labor and Employment Outlook for Manufacturers Connect with Michael Gaunce on LinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

MakingChips is NOT a cult of personality. We want MakingChips to be about the Metalworking nation. We want to interview you. We want to talk about your problems and how to solve them. We hope we equip, inspire—and sometimes entertain—you. With that being said, some BIG changes are coming. What will the future of MakingChips hold? Listen to this episode to hear our game-changing update for the Metalworking nation. Segments [3:58] Learn more about the MakingChips hosts [5:22] We're NOT a cult of personality [7:26] The numerous transitions of MakingChips [11:05] MakingChips 3.0: next steps [14:39] How to apply to become a podcast host [16:06] Jim's new show: My True Position [20:00] Nick's new show: Design. Build. Grow. [22:30] Jason's new show: At the Boring Bar Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! We want to bring on three new hosts of three NEW shows. If you believe you have a podcast the Metalworking nation can benefit from, connect with us. Send us a pitch at info@makingchips.com. Share a description, your history, and why you believe it can become a monthly show. You may just become a member of the MakingChips podcast family! Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Your people are the most important part of your business. If they're not, they should be. When you hire someone, it's always with the hope that they'll become a long-term part of the family, right? So you need to cultivate a workplace culture they want to stay and thrive in. So in this episode of Making Chips, we'll share nine simple tactics that you can implement immediately to transform your company culture. Segments [5:01] Your culture is the muscle below the muscle [7:56] The good things happening in our lives [13:30] Tactic #1: Fight for individuals that you care about [14:52] Accelerate your digital transformation with Xometry [16:48] Tactic #2: Get to know your employees [21:58] Tactic #3: Cultivate and promote friendships [23:38] Tactic #4: Don't overly focus on profit and achievement [27:30] Tactic #5: Reward your people for success [29:06] Tactic #6: Believe in your mission and align everyone to that [30:33] Tactic #7: Be humble and treat everyone as equals [32:10] Tactic #8: Inspire your people to be better [33:44] Tactic #9: Be approachable in any circumstance Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! New Sales Simplified By Mike Weinberg Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

What are the things you HATE about meetings? Moving into 2022, would you like to have better, more productive meetings that don't waste time and actually get things done? The MakingChips team is discussing the issue on this episode based on a book Nick read recently, called, "Death By Meeting." Learn 3 steps you can take to make your meetings powerful for 2022. Segments [0:32] Holiday experiences from the guys (good ones) [7:35] Manufacturing news: supply chain issues: trucking, air, ocean, rail trends [13:30] Nick's resolution: Lead better meetings in 2022 [21:45] How to have better meetings [26:25] Making it safe for participants to share differing opinions [36:19] Asynchronous meetings: what they are, how they work Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! OUR SPONSOR: https://www.xometry.com/makingchips/ BOOK: Death by Meeting MOVIE: The Santa Clause BOOK: Smart, Not Spoiled BOOK: The Advantage Supply Chain article Nick discussed BOOK: No Fail Meetings Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube