Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

On this special Thanksgiving episode of MakingChips, the Metalworking Nation shares what they are thankful for. While Jason and Jim usually address the challenging issues that manufacturers deal with, on this episode they step back and make some space to express gratitude for the good things in life. You wrote in and shared what you were thankful for and many of those are read many on the show. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact The struggle is real, but so are the blessings Jason and Jim kick off the show by sharing the things they are thankful for. While they admit that there are difficulties and struggles in life, they have great perspective to know that in the grand scheme of things, they are blessed. Jim shares how he has learned to make adjustments in life and leadership and the difference that has created. Even small changes can have a huge impact. They also give credit to their wives for their grounding and success. What would you be doing if not manufacturing? Consider for a moment what you would've done for a career had you not gone into manufacturing? Where would you be if you hadn't started in this challenging industry? During this episode, Jim and Jason discuss that very question. Listen as they both guess what they think the other would've done for a career. Thankfully, both Jim and Jason became leaders in the manufacturing industry and started encouraging and inspiring manufacturing leaders through the MakingChips podcast. Giving thanks with fellow MakingChips listeners On this episode, you will hear several members of the metalworking nation share about what they are thankful for. As you listen, take some time to think about how you might give thanks during this Thanksgiving season. Kaleb Mertz shares some of the email responses from MakingChips listeners and past guests. While not everyone could be featured, the ones that are shared on the episode are inspiring and encouraging. The contagious gift of gratitude One highlight of the episode comes from Steve Zenger, Jason's dad. He wrote in to share his gratitude for his family and friends. You can hear the emotions and sentiment in his response. There are many other great submissions that include gratitude for co-workers and teams, technology, success in business and family. Listen to hear some great people giving thanks on this episode of MakingChips. Here's The Good Stuff! Since it is Thanksgiving week, Jim and Jason talk about what they are thankful for The metalworking nation shares what they are thankful for Tina Carnelli, Marketing Manager at MP Systems feels blessed by working with people she likes Bob Petrini, President of Chick Machine Company includes Making Chips in the list of things he is thankful for Steve Zenger, Jason's dad, shares with MakingChips the things he is thankful for Todd Stukenberg is excited about robots and how they are making manufacturing safer and faster Shaun Bisordi owner/machinist at Rocky's Wire EDM is thankful for the social community of manufacturers Matthew Guse is thankful to have been on MakingChips earlier this year Michael Pulizzi says he is thankful for his wife This Week's Superstar Guest All mentioned resources LinkedIn Profile Never share an email address Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify

It's time for you to start dialing in manufacturing processes that can revolutionize your business. Manufacturing is challenging. But MakingChips is here to help through every aspect of running and growing your business. One of the best ways to jumpstart productivity and success in your company is by evaluating and implementing processes. Manufacturers are inherently process-oriented people. Once you understand the processes you have and the ones you need to add, you are on the way to taking your company to the next level. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact The new MakingChips series Edwards Deming said, "If you can't describe what you are doing as a process then you don't know what you are doing." Needless to say, processes are important. MakingChips is launching a series on the podcast that is all about dialing in processes for manufacturing leaders. Over the next few weeks, Jim and Jason will address how you market and sell, how you produce and how you manage your finances. Upcoming episodes will include discussions about the most critical areas of business that manufacturing leaders deal with every day. Facing your fear of processes Even the thought of processes for some manufacturing leaders can seem daunting. You may feel like you don't have the time or bandwidth to deal with them because you are trying to run a business. Jim and Jason talk about the 3 Ps of running a successful company, which includes people, product and process. Each one of the three legs of the business stool is important. Failure to address one can lead a gap in your company that could cost you money and opportunity. However, optimizing core manufacturing processes can take your business leadership to the next level. The new MakingChips series will help you face your process fear. Steps to elevate processes for success What do you do once you've decided to jump in and start evaluating the value of manufacturing processes in your company? What are the steps to improvement? During this episode, Jim and Jason share how to implement core processes. One of the keys is to involve a team of people so that you aren't trying to bear the load alone. Jim even encourages the smallest shops to get together weekly to talk about the difficulties and areas of growth in their shops. Dialing in your manufacturing processes with MakingChips So many companies have unwritten processes that are guiding their operations daily. Those undocumented processes can be streamlined. You can start dialing in manufacturing processes by beginning at the 30,000-foot view and zooming in as you get more comfortable. The purpose of the upcoming series is to help ignite the flame in manufacturing leaders to start implementing processes in their companies. Doing so can propel you to greater levels of success. Here's The Good Stuff! Jason and Jim introduce a new series on the podcast that will address manufacturing processes What are the steps to implementing processes in your shop Is not having a process and indication that you don't have confidence in what you are doing? The process checklist How to start evaluating and implementing processes in your company Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify

Welcome to the MakingChips IMTS2018 wrap up podcast, recorded live from the final day of the show with guests Larry Turner, President and CEO of Hannover Fairs USA and Peter Eelman, Vice President of Exhibitions & Business Development at AMT. After a long and exciting week, Jim and Jason reflect on some of the trends and themes that emerged from the show and discuss some of the takeaways for manufacturing leaders. IMTS2018 proved that it is an exciting time to be in the manufacturing industry. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact IMTS' commitment to the next generation The future of manufacturing lies in the hands of young men and women who have not even graduated high school yet. Investment in next generation leaders is critical to seeing continued success in the manufacturing world. IMTS2018 displayed its commitment to students this year, drawing over 20,000 student registrations. The entire lower level of the C hall was devoted to students, including exhibit space and conference rooms. Students are increasingly interested in the unique machinery and technology that makes up modern manufacturing. How IMTS broke the record This year, there were over 130,000 registered attendees, an all-time record for IMTS. Why did so many people come to this event? Even though manufacturing is challenging, it is also seeing unprecedented growth. IMTS is capitalizing on the momentum that the rapid growth and change of the industry is ushering in. Peter Eelman describes how he sees the industry changing and how that change is having a positive impact on manufacturing in the United States. The manufacturing atmosphere is changing Upon reflection, IMTS proved to be a great representation of manufacturing as a whole. There was an excitement and energy at this year's show that is prevalent throughout the entire industry. Peter Eelman believes that there is a sea change in attitude and culture. He says, "There is going to be continued growth in U.S. manufacturing. There is a desire to make things locally and closer to home." He also thinks that shows like IMTS will stem the tide in the skills gap and will continue to foster interest in the industry. We are just getting started IMTS is meant to serve as a catalyst for manufacturing leaders. The real work begins when you get back home and start building a strategy for how to implement necessary adjustments for future growth. Both Peter Eelman and Larry Turner encourage manufacturing leaders to focus on learning. Mobilize your team to learn as much about the technology and opportunities on the horizon so that you can start implementing changes effectively. Here's The Good Stuff! Introduction of Larry Tuner, President & CEO of Hanover Fairs Inc, and Peter Eelman, Vice President - Exhibitions & Business Development at AMT -The Association for Manufacturing Technology With over 130,000 attendees at IMTS, Peter Eelman describes what it means both to him and the manufacturing industry The theme of IMTS and how it was seen throughout the show What do metalworking leaders need to do to educate students on the opportunities in manufacturing? Will the skills gap increase or decrease in the next 24 months? How a culture of collaboration is emerging in the manufacturing industry What is one actionable step that manufacturers can take when they go back to work after IMTS Tools & Takeaways Hannover Fairs USA AMT This Week's Superstar Guest Larry Turner Peter Eelman Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify

Jim and Jason are live from IMTS2018 Day 5 with guests Jim King, Andrew Benson, and Meghan West to discuss industry 4.0 and its impact on the metal-working nation. How does a machine tool manufacturer, tooling manufacturer and a CAD/CAM company work together to elevate a manufacturing business? What is industry 4.0? Listen to this episode to hear the panelists discuss their perspective on Industry 4.0 and how collaboration is driving innovation. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact How collecting data can make you better One of the benefits of Industry 4.0 for manufacturers is the ability to collect data and increase both speed and efficiency in their shop. Jim King says that Industry 4.0 means collecting data and then analyzing it to improve the quality of manufacturing. Ultimately, data collection can help business owners make good decisions. Jim also shares the benefit of interfacing with the end user to understand their needs so that his company can build better tools. Connectivity and integration are 2 keys for Industry 4.0 For Meghan West, President at CNC Software, Industry 4.0 is about connectivity and integration. Without a machine tool, the software that her company creates is useless. However, pairing the software with the tool allows users to optimize their experience. Throughout the panel discussion, the theme of collaboration emerges as everyone discusses the benefit of integration and shared information. Variability is the enemy of quality in manufacturing Andrew Benson says that Industry 4.0 is allowing Iscar Metals to eliminate variability through digitization. Using indexable tools has increased the precision and predictability so that the quality of the work coming from a manufacturing floor is better. He shares the value of repeatability and how reconditioned tools might become obsolete because of the unwanted variability they introduce. Just like the other panelists, Andrew Benson sees collaboration as an important component of manufacturing. He says, "to support the factory of the future, a company can't be an island unto itself." Collaboration that fuels innovation In the past, companies were very secretive about the machines they were building. Rather than working together, they considered competitors to be threats to their success. However, there has been a shift in the manufacturing world that now encourages collaboration. Companies are working together, sharing data and solving problems together to push innovation forward. Industry 4.0 is leading to more collaboration that is propelling the manufacturing industry. Here's The Good Stuff! Introduction of guests Jim King, Andrew Benson, and Meghan West What is Industry 4.0 and what does it mean for the manufacturing industry How is CAD and CAM merging and how does that impact the end user? What is possible by connecting a cutting tool technology with a machine tool? Does the machine tool builder design differently based on the advancements in manufacturing software How does a machine tool builder connect all of the complementary products to deliver maximum value to the end user? The ways R&D has changed because of industry 4.0 This Week's Superstar Guest Jim King Andrew Benson Meghan West Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify

Live from IMTS 2018 day four in Chicago, Jason and Jim are joined by Barry Walter, Dietmar Goellner, Craig Zoberis, and Teresa Beach-Shelow to give their insight and advice that will help manufacturers sleep better at night. There are so many decisions and challenges that manufacturing leaders face that it is sometimes hard to get a good night's sleep. The four panelists draw from their extensive wisdom and experience to share how you can handle some of those challenges so that you can sleep better tonight. Handing over the keys to the kingdom One issue that keeps manufacturing leaders up at night is succession planning. Manufacturers want to see their business last beyond them. How can you structure your company so that it will run well even if you are no longer the top leader? Barry Walter is a third-generation manufacturer who, despite swearing he'd never work for his father, is now in business with all four of his brothers in his father's business. Dietmar Goellner is a second-generation manufacturer who has the third-generation working in his business. Listen as all four panelists discuss their succession plan experience and how they are planning to pass along their businesses to the next generation. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact How company culture impacts the bottom line Teresa Beach-Shelow says, "Core values pour out the front door." It's true, culture is everything. It guides how you make decisions, how you serve your customers and how you treat employees. Craig Zoberis says, "If we take good care of our people, they will take good care of our customers." Especially with the generation of millennial workers who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, you have to clearly define the why in your company. Creating a great company culture takes massive amounts of time and energy. But will it translate to more profit? Hear what the panelists have to say about that topic and much more during this episode. The technology that is shaping businesses Technology can be a double-edged sword. New machinery and tools can keep your business relevant and give you the competitive edge over the competition. It can also be daunting, hard to understand, and a challenge that keeps manufacturing leaders up at night. During this panel discussion, each guest talks about how they approach technology and how it is defining their businesses. Find out from them how to sleep better at night by using technology to your advantage. A marketing and sales strategy to help you sleep better Companies used to have teams of salesmen that went business to business trying to sell products or services. It was a simple strategy, but one that wasn't always effective. Marketing and sales has changed dramatically over the past few years. It is critical for manufacturing leaders and business owners to think about how they are developing their brand. While it can be overwhelming to understand the different marketing avenues, there are tools and resources available today that can help. Listen as the four panelists discuss their marketing and sales experience and give tips for how you can have a better marketing strategy for your company. Here's The Good Stuff! Introduction of the four panelists at IMTS 2018 day 4 How to implement a succession plan for your manufacturing business How long does it take to activate a succession plan? Does investing in a company's culture produce profitability? In what ways is technology shaping your company? How the marketing and sales environment has changed in your company? The 4 panelists give their final advice for how manufacturers can sleep better This Week's Superstar Guest Barry Walter Dietmar Goellner Craig Zoberis Teresa Beach-Shelow Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify

During this episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason talk with Tim Thiessen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Okuma America Corporation about the core values and culture of OKUMA. This conversation happened at IMTS2018 where that unique culture was on full display. OKUMA has been around for 120 years. During this conversation, Tim shares how their values influence how they serve customers. He also gives his vision for the future of manufacturing. You don't want to miss this episode of MakingChips. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact How core values impact customer interaction Long-term successful companies with strong core values are the ones that last over time. This is certainly true of OKUMA. OKUMA has a saying, "The criticism of one is more valuable than the praise of millions." OKUMA takes customer engagement seriously. Their tagline is "Passionately pursuing customers for life." Tim Thiessen shares how that impacts sales and customer interaction. He says, "In sales, you want to be as close to your customer as possible." Hear Tim share how they apply that in their sales approach and strategy during this interview. A customer-centric culture that stands the test of time Trust is the foundation on which strong relationships are built. This is true in marriage and in business. In order to be effective in sales, you have to build trust with your customers. Tim Thiessen believes that the best way to earn trust is by showing genuine empathy. Rather than just selling a product, Tim stresses that you want to understand your customer. You need to know not only their machining needs but also the challenges of the customers business. Creating that kind of transparent relationship isn't easy. It takes time, but it is worth it for a long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationship. When you have a culture so obviously dedicated to the customer, you earn business not just for one purchase, but for a lifetime. Investing in manufacturing for long-term benefits What sets OKUMA apart is their dedication to the core values and culture. The people who work for OKUMA love the manufacturing industry. They want to see the industry continue to thrive and are actively investing in it. They are dedicated to quality, making reliable machinery that will last. They are also on the cutting edge of technology, creating new machines with open platforms that provides flexibility and connectedness for machine shops. For Tim, he is most excited about the additive and subtractive opportunities. Listen as he shares his excitement for the manufacturing industry and the future during this conversation on MakingChips. How AI will shape the future of manufacturing There is so much potential for the future of manufacturing. As the market continues to grow, so will the opportunities for employment and technological advancement. Already, technology is outpacing the workforce in manufacturing. Tim Thiessen shares his vision for the future of manufacturing and how AI will play a significant role in the way machinery works. If you haven't already begun to consider how to position yourself to adapt to AI technology, then now is the time. Hear more about the advantages of AI and other exciting innovation on this episode. Here's The Good Stuff! Manufacturing News: 5 ways industrial AI is revolutionizing manufacturing Introduction of Tim Thiessen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Okuma America Corporation OKUMA's tagline is "Passionately pursuing customers for life." The role of empathy in successful leadership What percent of the machine tools that OKUMA sales is to repeat customers? The core value of passion and how it impacts customer engagement How Tim Thiessen got started in the manufacturing industry. What the term "open possibilities" means in the OKUMA culture. Tim Theisen is most excited about the additive technology and the connectedness of machinery The machine tool technology of the future for which manufacturers should be preparing Tools & Takeaways MTForecast Conference This Week's Superstar Guest Tim Thiessen OKUMA Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify

Live from IMTS 2018, Jim and Jason talk with Steve Kline, Director of Market Intelligence at Gardner Media Business, Inc. to answer the question "does manufacturing data matter?" Steve has generated forecasts for his family owned business and for the metalworking and plastic industries. Gardner Media Business produces media for the durable goods manufacturing industries. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact The current reality of manufacturing by the numbers During the interview, Steve Kline gives his assessment of the manufacturing industry. There has been a renaissance in manufacturing over the last few years. Steve says that he is surprised at the current trajectory of the industry. In the best way possible, the market isn't following a typical pattern, with the machine market seeing growth for nearly eight years in a row. Why does data matter to manufacturers? Steve will be at MTForecast to talk to manufacturers about data related to machine tool spending, types of machinery and the buying market specific to location and company size. He explains that data matters because it helps you budget for machine tool pricing. Knowing the supply and demand of a particular tool will help you know whether prices are negotiable or if it is a seller's market As a buyer of machine tools, data can help you plan, budget and manage expectations. What machine tools are in demand? In his company's research, Steve Kline says that they look at six specific areas of tooling data including turning, machining centers, grinding, screw machines, and EDM. Every category is expected to experience growth in the next year. Horizontal machining centers are in particularly high demand. Even though they are a more expensive option, they better meet the needs of manufacturing customers. Listen as Steve explains the other areas of machine tool growth during this interview. How can a leader interpret manufacturing data as an evaluative tool? While it is widely accepted that data is important for business leaders, how to use that data is not always as clear. How accurate are the numbers? How are leaders to interpret the data in a way that helps guide their decision making? Steve Kline offers some advice on how to leverage the information that their research delivers. His main message is to focus on trends and not on individual numbers. Looking for patterns can help owners make educated decisions that will positively impact their future stability and growth. Here's The Good Stuff! Manufacturing News: Manufacturing Day is Friday, Oct. 5 Introduction of Steve Kline, Director of Market Intelligence at Gardner Media Business,Inc. The current manufacturing market What does the data matter and what does it tell about the manufacturing industry? What machine tools are in demand right now and which machines can be found on a bargain? How should manufacturing leader interpret the data as an evaluative tool How accurate has Gardner Media's forecast been over their 40 year history? How can manufacturers be prepared in the event of another economic downturn? Tools & Takeaways MTForecast Conference Industrial Inbound Summit This Week's Superstar Guest Steve Kline Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify

MakingChips is back with another live podcast from IMTS 2018. On this episode, Jim and Jason discuss what's on the manufacturing horizon with guests Lonnie Love, Jay Rogers, and Adrian Allen. During times of rapid growth, long-term thinking can easily take a back seat to the next urgent task. Many manufacturing leaders lack the ability to see beyond the immediate future to think more clearly about manufacturing a decade from now. On this episode, hear the prophets of manufacturing share what they envision our industry will look like in 10 years. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact How automation is transforming the future of manufacturing Automation and digitization isn't the future. It is the present. However, automation will greatly impact the future of manufacturing. Panelist Jay Rogers says, "Digital manufacturing is all about being able to improve the speed of design and delivery of a part." The impact will be most obvious in the automotive industry. It is a huge segment of manufacturing, drawing two and three-tier companies to develop and manufacture parts that are used in the industry. Hear the panelists discuss how autonomy is driving innovation in manufacturing. What does the machine shop of the future look like? A shop floor has a reputation for being dark and dirty. That's not the reality in the present and it certainly isn't true for the future machine shop. So what will the future shop floor look like? Lonnie Love says he envisions the future machine shop to be microfactory that can make anything. The flexibility that technology is opening up for companies is allowing them to diversify the products they can make. Adrian Allen adds that he sees a future where the whole factory floor is that actual machine tool bed, where the machines come to the part rather than the part going to the machine. Changes manufacturers need to make today to be a part of the future In order to prepare for the future of your company, you have to consider the customer of the future. The desire for on-demand solutions is the norm. Manufacturers must start building machines that can meet their futures customers needs. Leaders also have to begin considering their workforce. Adrian Allen says that recruiting talent is a key. Having machines that can do amazing work but lacking the talent of engineers will make those great machines irrelevant. The workforce is critical and there is a skills gap that must be addressed. Listen as the panel discusses ways to address the skills gap with practical ways to recruit and develop talent. Future challenges and opportunities for the manufacturing industry The future is both scary and exciting. Innovation and technology have increased the pace to such a degree that manufacturing leaders can't afford to resist change. The time to consider the future and make preparations to adapt is now. Prepare to take some risk so that you don't get left behind. Listen as the panelists give some final tips for how to do just that. They discuss the impact of future recessions, how to integrate sustainable and environmentally friendly, energy efficient processes, and how to help change the perception of manufacturing to attract the next generation of talent. Be inspired as you listen to this episode of MakingChips. Here's The Good Stuff! Introduction of panelist Lonnie Love, Jay Rogers and Adrian Allen How is the advent of autonomous vehicles going to affect the manufacturing industry? What does the machine shop of the future look like What changes do manufacturers need to make now so that they can be a part of the future of manufacturing Ways to address the skills gap in manufacturing Economic predictions about how a recession might affect manufacturing How does sustainability and environmental consciousness impact manufacturing and the legislation around it? How manufacturing leaders need to think differently about their human resources in order to keep the right people in the right seats in their company The panel gives their final word to manufacturing leaders Tools & Takeaways MTForecast Conference This Week's Superstar Guest Lonnie Love Jay Rogers Adrian Allen Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify

On Wednesday at IMTS 2018, Jason and Jim hosted a panel including Aisha Rasul of Socistory, Corey Koepnick of Badassmachinists and Tom Fetcho, Vice President of Operations at MariTool to discuss social media management for manufacturers. Should manufacturers be using social media to market their businesses? If so, how does a company use it to their advantage? The panelists discuss these and other important questions during this live panel discussion on MakingChips. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact The first thing you can do to get started using social media Aisha Rasul is the founder and CEO of Socistory, a company that creates a compelling and integrative social media presence for brands. She encourages manufacturers to consider how social media management might help them accomplish their companies mission and vision. She explains that, rather than using platforms haphazardly, manufacturing leaders should first develop a strategy for how to most effectively and efficiently leverage social media. Having a plan will also help companies know which platform will best serve them in accomplishing their goals. Which social media platform is best for your company? There are multiple social media platforms on the market. Each one provides unique opportunities for interaction and engagement. Which platform should manufacturers use? According to the panel on this episode, the key lies in knowing what format best showcases your work and knowing where your community is most involved. Corey Koepnick, who has developed a huge following on Instagram showcasing his manufacturing expertise, chose that platform because it is image-based, which allows him to share beautiful photos of the interesting things he is making. It was also the platform where he was finding the most influencers in his manufacturing niche. Measuring your social media management ROI With any marketing strategy, you want to be able to track your effectiveness. Social media is a growing marketing tool in which companies are investing more time and money. There are two ways you can leverage these platforms, either organically or through an ad spend. During this discussion, the panel gives some helpful insight on how to measure return on investment. If you are just beginning to use social media, it is important to note that it takes some time to build a community and see results. Honing in on your target audience will help you see a better conversion rate through social media. The endgame of social media management for manufacturers Tom Fetcho is the Vice President of Operations at MariTool. He has taken his background and skills in graphic design to start a social media presence for his company. Tom showcases video and content of products being made. He encourages manufacturers to know the endgame for using social media. He also says that you should participate and engage with other companies rather than just focusing on yourself and your own content. With as little as twenty minutes a day, you can begin to see the impact of social media management in your manufacturing business. Listen to this episode of MakingChips to hear more. Here's The Good Stuff! The impact of social media on a business and brand awareness Introduction of guests Aisha Rasul, Corey Koepnick and Tom Fetcho Why Corey started Badassmachinsts and how he has grown his Instagram page What is the first thing a manufacturing company can do to get started with a social presence? How Tom grew from being in operations to handling marketing and social media The panelists explain the different platforms and how and why they use them Understanding the terminology related to social media How do you measure the impact of social media engagement? Are there any platforms that a company should avoid? How to manage your connections on the various platforms How much time should you spend on social media marketing? Tools & Takeaways MTForecast Conference Socistory Badassmachinest MariTool Industrial Inbound This Week's Superstar Guest Aisha Rasul Corey Koepnick Tom Fetcho Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify

On this episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason broadcast live from IMTS with their guest panel including Jess Giudici, Titan Gilroy, Federico Sciammarella and Toni Neary to discuss solving the skills gap in manufacturing. The manufacturing industry has a problem. There is not enough talent to fill the current job opportunities in the United States. Whether it is through raising awareness, providing education or focusing on recruiting, the challenge has to be addressed so that the talent pipeline is replenished with qualified workers. Listen to this great discussion with some of the world's best and brightest manufacturing leaders. Connect with us:www.MakingChips.com/contact Manufacturing doesn't have a perception problem Jason and Jim start by asking Toni Neary how to change the perception of manufacturing among high school and college students so they consider it a career path. Toni responds by saying that manufacturing doesn't have a perception problem, but rather an awareness problem. Solving the skills gap requires educating students about the various career opportunities within the industry. Toni discusses some of the ways that she is helping change the conversation through educational avenues to increase that awareness. How to change your culture to attract talent The upcoming generation of workers and potential employees want to do work that matters. They also want to pursue a career that offers development and advancement opportunities. How can the manufacturing industry capitalize on this kind of motivation and drive? Jess Giudici says that companies are going to have to adapt their organizational structures and developmental opportunities to start solving the skills gap. While the typical perception of manufacturing is a dark, dingy shop floor, that is not reality. Exposing students and potential employees to a meaningful culture is one way to start solving the skills gap. Solving the skills gap by changing the curriculum Titan Gilroy says that his business model of offering a free CNC academy online is adapting to the need in the industry. He currently has 45,000 students in 170 companies going through his academy. Titan says that In order to be successful you have to be highly skilled with the ability to make a high quantity of parts with precision and speed. Titan says the curriculum being taught in educational institutions needs to be elevated to match the type of technology and work being done in manufacturing. Listen as Titan explains how his disruptive model helps to better train students to have confidence in doing highly skilled work. Tips for making your company more appealing to talent Manufacturing is all about solving problems. It's a challenging industry that is facing unprecedented growth and an unsustainable shortage of workers. What can you do to change the trajectory of the manufacturing industry? The panel offers several tips for how they can begin solving the skills gap in their local communities today. From investing in local education to defining the culture and identity of your company, manufacturing leaders can start making an impact. Changing the perception of manufacturing and raising awareness about career opportunities starts at the local level. Listen to the entire panel discussion to be equipped and inspired to make a difference in your company and community on this episode of MakingChips. Here's The Good Stuff! Jim and Jason broadcast live from IMTS with four panelists to talk about solving the skills gap Introduction of panelists Jess Giudici, Titan Gilroy, Federico Sciammarella and Toni Neary What perceptions need to change in order to bring the future manufacturing leaders into the industry? What changes should manufacturing business make to their culture to attract talent to their company? How does higher education need to change so that graduates will begin their manufacturing careers with more of a practical skill set? Why Titan is disrupting the industry by giving away education through his academy How can the attendees of IMTS help to raise the awareness in a practical way In what ways is Northern Illinois University helping to place students into manufacturing jobs Tips on how companies can change their cultural awareness Tactics to diminish the negative perception of manufacturing as if it is an old-school profession How manufacturing leaders can get involved in their local communities to help solve the skill gap Tools & Takeaways MTForecast Conference Titans of CNC http://IMTS.com This Week's Superstar Guest Jess Giudici Titan Gilroy Federico Sciammarella Toni Neary Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube Subscribe to Making Chips on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify