Have you ever experienced constraints to growth like access to talent, transportation, moving or going multi-site? Having a community partner on your team ensures that you take advantage of every financial and lifestyle incentive. Enjoy this week’s conversation with Angela Schumann & Jim Thares as they discuss how you can work, live and retire well in Monticello. Questions about moving to Monticello? Contact Jim or Angela Why are industrial and manufacturing businesses choosing Monticello? C...
Jul 11, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 95
We all have limited time, energy and resources, but we also know that investing in people can unlock huge potential. Enjoy my conversation with Continuous Improvement leader Steve Drueen as he shares his expertise on what you can do to Select Your next Green Belt Candidate. Learn more about the Six Sigma Greenbelt Certification This episode was sponsored by Wipfli: The firm whose perspective can change everything for your business. Learn more at www.wipfli.com/manufacturing...
Jun 27, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 94
The market for talent is still competitive. The challenge for most is being able to let go of those old recruitment practices and coming up with new ways to attract talent. Enjoy today’s episode featuring Jim Mulrooney with Bremer Bank, as he shares what he’s learned working with small business owners and how they’ve revolutionized recruitment. Learn more about Bremer Bank by visiting www.bremer.com
Jun 13, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Enjoy this week’s conversation with our leadership and development coach, Jeremy Blake, as he shares his expertise on how to write the kind of problem statements that attract resources! Download this week’s resource by visiting www.mfrall.com/resources This episode of the Manufacturers Alliance Podcast is sponsored by Bremer Bank. With bankers who know that in business, relationships matter more than ever. And understanding is everything. Find a Bremer Bank today at www.Bremer.com...
May 30, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 92
On this week’s episode, Ryan Swiderski and Kate Brown share how you can use better data to optimize inventory, effectively communicate price increases, and counteract labor shortages! Thank you to today’s sponsor, Konik. Whether you’re seeking a direct-hire or contract employee, Konik’s technical talent network can quickly build a high-caliber team to meet your needs. Contact them today at www.koniknetwork.com
May 16, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 91
A lot of people think that the fastest way to increase their income is to take on a leadership role and although a raise will likely come with the promotion how do you know that you’ll really like it and be successful at it? Enjoy this week's conversation with Jessica Lyons, Kelly Hansen, and Diane Bartels, as we discuss the challenges leaders face around communication, delegation, running meetings, engagement, and cross-functional collaboration. Get today’s resource by visiting www.mfrall.com/...
May 02, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Becoming a successful team lead hinges on your ability to lead yourself. The challenge most leaders at this level face is balancing leading a team while accomplishing hands-on work. That’s why on today’s bonus episode, we share some things you can start doing and some things you should stop to help you become a more successful team leader. Get today’s resource by visiting www.mfrall.com/resources
Apr 25, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 89
It’s easy to let safety take a back seat when there haven't been any lost time incidents and your metrics are all about getting quality products to the customer on-time, but what is the real cost of neglecting safety? Enjoy this week’s conversation with Tim Sheehan, the Owner of OECS, as we discuss his new book Building a Safety Culture and how it can help you ensure that safety is number one for your company! Get your complimentary book by visiting: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6363764/book-...
Apr 18, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Everyone has an opinion about what it takes to be successful, but the ones that are worth listening to come from the people that prioritize the success of their team. Enjoy this week’s conversation with Paul Langlois, Vice President of Enterprise Learning, careers and engagement for Ecolab as we discuss the four traits that will help you acquire the mindset of a leader. Download this week’s resource by visiting www.mfrall.com/resources This episode was sponsored by Wipfli: The firm whose perspec...
Apr 04, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 87
Getting people to want to change can feel impossible, but with a few practical tools you can be on your way to developing a Kaizen (change for the better) culture! Enjoy this week’s Podcast conversation with Mario Calvo, Sensi and Division Lean Manager for Parker Hannifin as we discuss how to develop a culture of kaizen and accomplish the results that come with it. Download this week’s resource by visiting www.mfrall.com/resources This episode was sponsored by Bremer Bank. With bankers who know ...
Mar 21, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Have you ever built specs that the customer didn’t want or need? What is the true cost of tolerances being too tight, unneeded functionality, or overkill on fatigue testing? On this week’s episode Chad Moertl shares how you can build quality at the source and give the customer exactly what they want! Download this week’s resource by visiting www.mfrall.com/resources This episode of the Manufacturers Alliance Podcast is sponsored by Konik. Whether you’re seeking a direct-hire or contract employee...
Mar 07, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 85
In this special bonus episode, Kevin Wilde discusses his new book Coachability and how it will help you minimize your blind spots and maximize the positive impact you can have on others. Be one of the first 80 people to register and get your complimentary copy of Coachability: The leadership Super Power by visiting www.mfrall.com/resources This episode of the Manufacturers Alliance Podcast is sponsored by Konik. Whether you’re seeking a direct-hire or contract employee, Konik’s technical talent ...
Feb 28, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 84
In this week’s Podcast episode, Dan West with Blue Key Media discusses how having a realistic job preview video can help you attract the right people to the right role, and decrease turnover. Download this week’s resource by visiting www.mfrall.com/resources This episode of the Manufacturers Alliance Podcast is sponsored by Maertens-Brenny Construction Co. Building solid foundations and complex projects. Maertens-Brenny Construction. Contact them today at maertensbrenny.com...
Feb 21, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 83
In order for operations to run smoothly you must identify and eliminate those non-value added steps in every process. In this week’s conversation, Kara Slocum, head Of Operations for Artistic Finishes discusses her high mix low volume operation, the types of waste they are up against, what causing it, what they’ve done to remove it as well as lessons learned along the way. Download this week’s resource by visiting www.mfrall.com/resources This episode of the Manufacturers Alliance Podcast is spo...
Feb 07, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 82
It can be hard to get the best of both worlds, where you’ve got a team of people working on daily improvements as well as taking steps towards big improvements. But with the right mindset, motivation, and vision, you will have the same success as our guest Thanh Osmancevic, from GNResound! Download this week’s resource by visiting www.mfrall.com/resources This episode of the Manufacturers Alliance Podcast is sponsored by Bremer Bank. With bankers who know that in business, relationships matter m...
Jan 24, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 81
This episode was recorded LIVE at our Peer Group Mega Meeting, and includes executive perspectives from Nate Aguilar, Vice President of Manufacturing, Starkey, Matt Colby, Sr. Director of Lean Enterprise, Toro and Greg Flint, President & COO, Coldspring. Enjoy our conversation as we talk about the biggest trends in Leadership and Continuous Improvement in 2023 and beyond. If you want to learn more about Peer Groups visit www.mfrall.com/resources...
Jan 10, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 80
This year we've seen explosive growth with over 100,000 listeners, leveraging some of the best talent the manufacturing industry! In this episode we go back and review some of the top episodes you might have missed including: How to Kill your company with Strategic planning Influence Without Authority Improving Retention with Stay Interviews Developing an army of problem solvers Learn more about today’s sponsor by visiting www.wipfli.com/manufacturing...
Dec 27, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 79
A problem well defined is a problem half solved. Enjoy this week’s episode featuring Peter Fritsche, as he shares how The 5 why method can help you get to the root cause without jumping to conclusions. Download this week’s resource by visiting: www.mfrall.com/resources
Dec 13, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 78
From supply lines down, to high demand and competition, if you’ve experienced material delivery delays you won’t want to miss Kirby’s conversation with Supply Chain leader Kat Perron! Unfortunately, lots of manufacturers are seeing their lead times double on raw materials, parts, components, and even subassembly deliveries. We dive into options for you to consider if you are experiencing backlogs from supply lines being down, high demand, or new products being introduced to the market with highe...
Nov 29, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 77
We all want to help our customers, coworkers, and team members be successful… the challenge is accomplishing this while not stretching yourself to thin for to long! In this week’s episode, Leigh Erickson and Kirby Sneen discuss how you can find your groove, work in your sweet spot, and get things flowing better so you have the energy required to tackle more problems without experiencing burnout. Learn more about today’s sponsor, by visiting www.wipfli.com/manufacturing
Nov 15, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Have you ever been working with a team on a process improvement project and thought to yourself, “There has got to be a better way?” If you have, you won’t want to miss Kirby’s conversation with manufacturing executive David Badger. David discusses the attributes of the most successful teams out there including: aligned goals, skilled leadership, support from sponsorship, courage, and having the project be a priority. Special thanks to this episode’s sponsor. Bremer Bank knows that the value of ...
Nov 01, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Have you ever wondered how to position your manufacturing business so you can weather an economic storm? On this week’s episode, Kirby Sneen and Josh Howard, Chief investment officer at Bremer Bank, discuss the nuance of what makes up a recession, and how to best position your business to avoid the impact of a slowdown and continue to grow. Special thanks to this episode’s sponsor, Konik. Whether you’re seeking a direct hire or a contract employee, Konik’s technical talent network can quickly bu...
Oct 18, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 74
On this week’s episode John Hacker, the head of Finance for Design Ready Controls, shares how they ensure compensation adjustments are fair for the individual, in line with the market, and something the company is proud to offer!
Oct 04, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 73
Selecting a site for your next plant is a big decision with high stakes. The opportunity to make a mistake presents itself at every turn in the process. Choosing to go it alone could cost you million’s of dollars in cash, cost savings, and opportunity costs, not to mention disappointed customers. Enjoy this week’s episode featuring with Justin Erickson and Royce Pavelka with The Brookshire Company as we talk about these mistakes and others they’ve seen made and what you can do to avoid them. Spe...
Sep 20, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 72
On this week’s special bonus episode of the Podcast, the winners of the 2022 Manufacturer of the Year Award Winners share about their growth, lessons learned, and what they are most excited for in the coming year! Thank you to Kent Djubek, President, Ajax Metal Forming Solutions, Brian L. Johnson, Vice President of Global Engineering, Reell Precision Manufacturing, and Dale Hentges, Plant Vice President of Operations, Boston Scientific. Join us Thursday, Sept. 27th for the Awards, Keynote, Break...
Sep 13, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Great companies know how to set goals, figure out what barriers they are facing, and develop a plan to overcome those barriers. But that’s not the hard part - The hard part is executing on the projects that make up the plan! You’ve got to learn how to manage scope, work with stakeholders, and balance their shifting priorities, all while not being the project management police . Enjoy this week’s conversation with 30-year project management veteran Scottie Holmes as he shares how to overcome thes...
Sep 06, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 70
On this week’s episode, Kirby Sneen and Brittany Bowling discuss the three tools every problem solver must know, the value they bring when applied, and examples from member companies and the Manufacturers Alliance team. Get free access to the Pareto mini-course and template: www.mfrall.com/pareto Special thanks to this episode’s sponsor, Wipfli. They are the firm who believes that perspective can change everything for your business. Learn more at www.wipfli.com/manufacturing...
Aug 23, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 69
If you’ve ever been denied training because of a lack of funding, or find yourself apprehensive about approaching your boss for a bigger training budget, you won’t want to miss this conversation with Jon Sillerud, the VP of operations for Uponor. Download this week’s free resource by visiting: www.mfrall.com/LPC Special thanks to this episode’s sponsor, Wipfli. They are the firm who believes that perspective can change everything for your business. Learn more at www.wipfli.com/manufacturing...
Aug 09, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 68
We’ve all experienced the negative impacts that silos can make, whether it is between departments or shifts within a company. On this week’s episode, Kirby Sneen and Michael Muilenburg share how to strategically get people to work together so that everyone wins! Michael Muilenburg is the former director of operational technology and strategic planning for the film and materials, and technology and engineering division of 3M. Learn more about Manufacturers Alliance peer groups and find the best g...
Jul 26, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 67
This week’s episode is all about how you can overcome the talent shortage with data. Kate Brown is a Business Intelligence and Analytics Manager with over 10 years of experience helping Manufacturers gain more timely insight into operational performance, and surfacing information that team members need to make informed decisions across the organization. Her team at Wipfli implements Business Intelligence technologies that automate manual data consolidation processes and create one source of trut...
Jul 12, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 66
