Grategy

On this week's episode of the Manufacturers' Network Podcast, Meaghan Ziemba, an industrial tech writer and founder of Mavens of Manufacturing, shared her inspiring journey in the engineering and manufacturing industry and highlighted the importance of supporting women in these fields. ?? Key takeaways for you: Breaking Barriers: Many women enter manufacturing and engineering accidentally. By creating awareness and educating communities, we can show young women the vast opportunities beyond traditional roles. Work-Life Balance: Innovative companies are reshaping the industry by offering flexible schedules, hybrid models, and hourly workers with the same respect and benefits as salaried employees, increasing production and retention rates. Mentorship and Community Involvement: Establishing strong mentorship programs and forging community partnerships with schools and organizations like FIRST Robotics and SkillsUSA are crucial for inspiring the next generation of manufacturing professionals. Join the movement to support diversity and inclusion in manufacturing! Let's build a future where everyone, regardless of gender, feels empowered to pursue their dreams in this dynamic sector. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/grcDXWaS #Manufacturing #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenInSTEM #Engineering #Mentorship #WorkLifeBalance

On a recent episode of the Manufacturers' Network podcast, I enjoyed speaking with Marshall Leibovitz, President of Asset-Based Funding Solutions. Marshall shared decades of expertise and offered invaluable advice on how growing businesses can effectively manage and access working capital. Whether you're tied up in receivables or struggling with inventory, Marshall provides strategies to leverage the right financing solutions without diluting ownership. ?? Listen to the full episode for a deep dive, but here are three key takeaways for you: https://lnkd.in/g3HpnejG Manage Your Working Capital Efficiently: Understand the importance of minimizing the time your cash is tied up in receivables and inventory. Regularly monitor these components to free funds for R&D, market expansion, and essential equipment maintenance. Explore Diverse Financing Options: Don't be discouraged if a bank declines your loan. Multiple avenues are available, including SBA loans, USDA programs, and private credit. Knowing where to look can open doors to growth without unnecessary risks. Prepare Thorough Financial Reports: A key to securing financing is having accurate, timely financial reports and a robust forward-looking financial model. These enable lenders to assess your business confidently and bolster their trust in your ability to repay. #Manufacturing #WorkingCapital #BusinessGrowth #FinanceSolutions #TheManufacturersNetworkPodcast

I had the pleasure of hosting Drew Allen, President and CEO of Grace Technologies, to discuss his journey in the manufacturing sector, leadership, and the future of industrial technologies. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: ?? Embrace Continuous Learning and Leadership Growth: Drew emphasized the importance of self-development as a leader. He believes that a company's success is directly linked to the quality of its leadership, which starts with personal growth and continuous learning. ?? Innovating in Electrical Safety and Predictive Maintenance: Grace Technologies is paving the way with their innovative approach, including wearables that enhance safety by alerting workers of potential electrical hazards. This proactive safety measure reflects a forward-thinking mindset towards employee well-being. ?? Adaptability in Manufacturing: Drew highlighted the need for factories to shift their focus from efficiency to adaptability and resilience. This involves building redundancy in systems to allow flexibility and growth and embracing AI and IoT technologies to transform operations. Drew's insights are crucial for anyone involved in manufacturing or interested in the industry's future. Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement is essential for staying ahead. Catch the full episode to dive deeper into these topics and more! https://lnkd.in/df3HmZBx #Manufacturing #Leadership #Innovation #IndustrialSafety #ContinuousImprovement

On this week's episode of the Manufacturers' Network Podcast, Dr. Amy Climer joined me to discuss how creativity can transform manufacturing teams and drive innovation. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation: ?? Deliberate Creativity: Creativity isn't just spontaneous genius. It requires deliberate efforts and intentional processes to bring innovative ideas to life. Leaders need to foster environments where creativity can thrive. ?? Understanding Creativity: Amy defines creativity as "novelty that is valuable." Whether it's increasing efficiency, enhancing precision, or boosting market value, understanding and applying this concept can unlock new manufacturing potential. ?? Key Ingredients for Team Creativity: According to Amy's research, fostering creativity involves three elements: a clear shared purpose, strong team dynamics with balanced conflict, and a creative process that everyone understands. Explore how these insights can reshape your manufacturing processes and culture! #Manufacturing #Creativity #Innovation #Leadership #TeamDynamics #DeliberateCreative #Podcast ??Transforming Manufacturing Organizations Through Deliberate Creativity with Dr. Amy Climer - https://lnkd.in/g3hiX322

As the uses for AI in manufacturing continue to explode, I thought I'd rerun this conversation with Eknauth Persaud on the Manufacturers Network Podcast. We talked about the potential of AI in manufacturing and how it could revolutionize decision-making processes. Here are some key takeaways for anyone interested in the intersection of AI and manufacturing: ?? AI can emulate decision-making: Eknauth Persaud highlighted the opportunity for AI to replicate the decision-making processes of experienced employees, providing consistent guidance for newer employees and preserving best practices. ?? ROI with clear metrics: The return on investment in implementing AI in manufacturing is tied to improving quality, consistency, and reducing rework. Clear metrics and goals can help pinpoint the areas where AI can impact most. ?? AI as a specialist: Eknauth Persaud discussed the role of AI as a specialist who can support and advise rather than take over tasks completely. This emphasizes the need for humans to stay on top of variability in supplier input costs and to coach AI when necessary. If you're interested in AI's potential impact on manufacturing decision-making and want to learn more, feel free to tune in to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/g33ZBEUs #ManufacturersNetworkPodcast #AIinManufacturing #EknauthPersaud #DecisionMaking #PodcastDiscussion

Because of the ongoing need to attract new people into manufacturing, I thought I'd reshare the Manufacturers' Network Podcast episode with Abby Wurzbach and Andrew Lane. We delved into the fascinating journey of launching the Young Manufacturers Network and the incredible impact it's already making in the industry. Here are the key takeaways: ?? Young Manufacturer's Network: Abby and Andrew shared the inception of this innovative network designed for young professionals aged 21-40 in the manufacturing industry. It provides a platform for sharing ideas, developing new skills, and adapting to evolving technologies. ?? Professional Development: Mentorship, communication across generations, and community building were emphasized. The mentorship program, company plant tours, and monthly meetups have been incredibly beneficial for nurturing the next generation of manufacturers. ?? Collaboration and Partnerships: The potential for collaboration with local MEPs (Manufacturing Extension Partnerships) was highlighted as a significant opportunity for growth and continued success. Connecting with your local MEP director can open doors to invaluable resources and support. Don't miss out on these invaluable insights! Tune in to the episode "Abby and Andrew - on The Manufacturers Network Podcast. https://lnkd.in/gJkrd9PK Whether you're a young professional in manufacturing, an industry veteran, or simply passionate about the future of manufacturing, you'll find this episode incredibly enlightening. #ManufacturingIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #YoungManufacturersNetwork #MentorshipProgram

On this week's episode of The Manufacturers Network Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Marshall Leibovitz, President of Asset Based Funding Solutions. Marshall shared decades of expertise, offering invaluable advice on how growing businesses can effectively manage and access working capital. Whether tied up in receivables or struggling with inventory, Marshall provides strategies to leverage the right financing solutions without diluting ownership. ?? Listen to the full episode for a deep dive: https://lnkd.in/g3HpnejG Here are three key takeaways for you: Manage Your Working Capital Efficiently: Understand the importance of minimizing the time your cash is tied up in receivables and inventory. Regularly monitor these components to free funds for R&D, market expansion, and essential equipment maintenance. Explore Diverse Financing Options: Don't be discouraged if a bank declines your loan. Multiple avenues are available, including SBA loans, USDA programs, and private credit. Knowing where to look can open doors to growth without unnecessary risks. Prepare Thorough Financial Reports: A key to securing financing is having accurate, timely financial reports and a robust forward-looking financial model. These enable lenders to assess your business confidently and bolster their trust in your ability to repay. We hope you find these insights as enlightening as we did! For more details, contact Marshall via LinkedIn or email him at [email protected]. Stay tuned for more expert advice from the world of manufacturing! #Manufacturing #WorkingCapital #BusinessGrowth #FinanceSolutions #TheManufacturersNetworkPodcast

Because of the continued issues with #employeerecruiting, I wanted to reshare this episode of the "Manufacturers Network Podcast" with special guest @Nicole Morgan of Resolute PR! Nicole shared her expertise on how companies can navigate the challenges of workforce recruitment and adapt to the changing needs of employees. Here's a sneak peek at our conversation, highlighting three important takeaways: Evolving Job Market: Today's employees crave clarity in their roles and opportunities for growth. Companies need to foster an environment of transparency and consistent communication to attract and retain dedicated talent. Innovative Flexibility: From providing onsite childcare to implementing flexible scheduling solutions, companies are finding creative ways to meet the diverse needs of their workforce, making it easier for employees to balance work and personal responsibilities. Commitment to Diversity: Companies need to create an inclusive workplace. This includes making tangible changes that foster an inviting environment for all, emphasizing diversity and equal opportunity as central to recruitment strategies. If this resonates with you, tune in to the full episode to explore more insights and strategies. https://lnkd.in/gJgrzUfQ Connect with Nicole through Resolute PR for further insights at https://lnkd.in/gGztJCxk. Listen, engage, and let's transform how we approach the workforce together! #ManufacturersNetworkPodcast #WorkforceStrategies #DiversityInclusion #PodcastInsig

Excited to share a classic episode of "The Manufacturers Network Podcast," where I had the pleasure of hosting @Darrin Mitchell. We delved into innovative strategies to enhance company culture and operational success in manufacturing. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation: ?? The Power of 33%: Darrin highlighted the intriguing impact of the number 33% on human cognition. By understanding this, manufacturers can drive meaningful cultural change. ?? Leadership and Transparency: Effective leadership is about clear communication. Darrin emphasizes taking responsibility to outline the future and where the team fits into it, ensuring transparency to build trust and retain talent. ?? Empowerment and Appreciation: Empower your team leads to recognize accomplishments, such as achieving production goals, with meaningful gestures like a $100 bill. This approach not only motivates but effectively builds a positive work environment. Tune in to the full episode to explore how these strategies can transform your manufacturing operations and culture! https://lnkd.in/gYHGBQni #ManufacturingExcellence #Leadership #CompanyCulture #Innovation

On this week's episode of the Manufacturers Network Podcast, I spoke with @Jeff Borrello, CEO and co-founder of Andromeda Technology Solutions. Jeff shared his insights and expertise on managed IT services tailored for the manufacturing sector. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation: Strategic IT Planning: Jeff emphasized the importance of turning IT from an expense into a strategic advantage. By proactively planning technology roadmaps and focusing on core competencies, businesses can enhance productivity and maintain a competitive edge. Security First: Cybersecurity is a top priority. Jeff highlighted the need for businesses to have robust security measures and continuously train employees to mitigate potential threats. Ensuring that your team is vigilant and well-informed can prevent costly breaches. Choosing the Right Partner: Having the right partnership is critical to maintaining in-house IT staff or collaborating with a managed service provider. A good IT partner will work with you to understand your needs and provide comprehensive support, ensuring seamless operations and security. Catch the full episode for an in-depth understanding of how manufacturers can leverage IT for growth and security. ?? #Manufacturing #ITServices #Cybersecurity #TheManufacturersNetwork #Podcast ?? Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/gMusrngv