my TRUE POSITION

LinkedIn was built for professionals — a place to connect, learn, and grow careers. But somewhere along the way, it turned into a stage for personal branding and performance. In this episode, I dig into how the world's largest job network lost its focus — and how real professionals can bring substance and authenticity back to the feed.

The first two weeks on the job set the tone for everything that follows. At CARR, we've built a structured onboarding playbook — with 5-day, 30-day, 90-day, and 6-month check-ins leading into annual performance and compensation reviews. It's not paperwork, it's leadership in action. In this episode, I dig into why onboarding is a make-or-break moment, how we keep new hires engaged from day one to...

The family-owned machine shop — once the backbone of American manufacturing — is disappearing. Private equity is rolling up independents, succession is drying up, and the cost of staying competitive is through the roof. In this episode, I dig into how small, family-run shops evolved over the decades, the metrics driving consolidation, and why investors are buying us up. Is this truly the end of th...

Degrees don't impress me. GPAs don't build careers. The real signals that matter? Showing up, asking questions, taking pride in your work. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I lay out exactly how I spot future talent in machining—and what separates rockstars from dead weight. This is the hiring playbook nobody else will give you.

College debt is crushing a generation—but there's another way. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I break down the real pathways into precision manufacturing—apprenticeships, certifications, and careers that pay while you learn. No tuition trap, no student loans—just a straight shot to six-figure potential.

Forget the grimy stereotype—this is aerospace-grade, software-driven manufacturing. In Part 1 of The New Shop Class , I pull back the curtain on clean, automated shops, real career mobility, and a culture built on precision and pride. If you're a parent, student, or counselor, this is your reality check—and your invite to see modern machining up close. Where precision meets leadership.

Ever get that email saying, 'We want to offer you a book deal'? Yeah…bullshit. These aren't publishers—they're predators. They target business owners, shop leaders, and podcasters like you and me, flashing fake promises of instant authority while draining your wallet. In this episode, I rip the lid off the vanity press scam: how they work, how to spot the red flags, and what separates a real publi...

In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr by his CFO and business coach Dave Capkovitz, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to evolve a second-generation machine shop. They share the raw, behind-the-scenes truth of CARR Machine & Tool's transition from a traditional mom-and-pop operation into a high-value, high-production aerospace supplier. From cutting unprofitable work and...

In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr uncovers the real story behind artifact parts in Gage R&R studies. Too many shops are cutting corners when it comes to validating their measurement systems, and it's putting quality—and customer trust—at risk. Jim breaks down what artifact parts are, why they matter for AS9100-certified shops, and how to manufacture, manage, and apply them correctly. I...

Is that employee "taking time off"… or walking out quietly? In this episode, Jim Carr dissects the real motives behind employee leave. From legal obligations to return-to-work odds, he lays out the business math behind whether to hold the door open—or close it for good.

PE firms are circling job shops like vultures — waving fat checks and buzzwords like "scale" and "efficiency." But what happens after the champagne dries up? In this episode, Jim Carr calls BS on the fairy tale. From hidden costs and control loss to culture-killing org charts, he breaks down what selling really means for you, your team, and your legacy.

What happens when AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses stroll onto your ITAR-regulated shop floor? In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I unpack how one slick-looking gadget could blow a hole in your compliance, expose your customer's IP, and turn your machine shop into a liability overnight. From real-world risks to hardline strategies, I'm calling this tech what it is: a threat to every shop that makes se...

Too many part numbers. Too many changeovers. Too much chaos. For years, we ran a low-volume, high-mix job shop — and it was eating us alive. Until we flipped the model. In this episode, I break down our full-on shift to high-volume, low-mix production: what pushed us over the edge, how we pulled it off, and what every shop owner needs to hear if you're tired of running in circles. I'm talking abou...

You're the face of the shop — act like it. In this episode, Jim Carr unpacks why getting out of the office, shaking hands, and "kissing babies" isn't politics… it's leadership. Whether it's a customer visit, trade show, or just showing up when it counts, your presence is your most powerful tool. Inside This Episode: What "kissing babies" really means in manufacturing How trust builds faster in per...

Dropped $10K on a booth and walked away with a pocketful of business cards and no leads? You're not alone. In this gritty solo episode, I pull back the curtain on the real ROI of trade shows—what works, what doesn't, and how to stop wasting money on flashy displays with zero follow-up. Whether you're a shop owner, ops manager, or just trying to make sense of your marketing spend, I'm giving you ha...

Are you tired of chasing down payments like it's part of your job description? In this episode, Jim Carr strips down the BS and breaks down how to manage your receivables like a pro—without blowing up good customer relationships. From setting clear payment terms and dealing with Accounts Payable, to knowing exactly when to apply pressure or put someone on credit hold, Jim shares real-world tactics...

Why does GD&T still trip people up? In this episode, I break down the real reasons prints get misread — and how it leads to confusion, wasted time, and bad parts. If you've ever scratched your head over a feature control frame, this one's for you.

From bird's nests to cowboy cuts, we're breakin' down the raw, unfiltered slang of the shop floor. It's gritty, it's funny, and yeah—we swear a little. This ain't your HR-approved glossary. Let's talk dirty.

After 40 years in the game, Jim Carr asks the question no one wants to answer out loud: Was it easier to run a machine shop back then… or have the rules just changed? From manual mills and customer bankruptcies to ERP systems, 5-axis automation, and ISO audits — Jim has seen it all. In this reflective episode, he breaks down the then vs. now of manufacturing leadership: what's gotten harder, what'...

What do high fives, tool gifts, and 10-minute check-ins have in common? They're all ways to lead better on the shop floor. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr breaks down the 5 Love Languages of Business — and how a little appreciation can go a long way in machining, morale, and management.

In this special Space Symposium episode, Jim Carr sits down with Oliver Grassmann, Executive Vice President of Beyond Gravity's Satellites division, to reveal the powerful — and often overlooked — force driving aerospace innovation: culture. From startup energy to decades of legacy, Beyond Gravity's real advantage is its people-first leadership. Oliver shares how building trust, liking your team,...

What do satellites and shop floors have in common? Wesley Grove connects the dots. In this episode, we talk about real-world innovation, smart failure, and how leadership lessons from manufacturing apply at orbital altitude. Wesley shares insights on team culture, process testing, and what small shops can borrow from space-tech thinking. Whether you're on the floor or calling the shots, this one's...

What's it really like to have a business coach in your shop's corner? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime business partners and coaches, Dave Capkovitz and Mike Watkins from EBITDA Growth Systems. We dive into the rhythm, the real talk, and the raw challenges that shops like mine face every day. From behind-the-scenes coaching stories to how CARR Machine leans on their insights to stay fo...

AI isn't just for the big guys anymore. In this episode, Jim Carr sits down with Akshat Thirani, President of Amper Technologies, to break down how small- and mid-size manufacturers can actually use AI—without hiring a data scientist or spending a fortune. If you're AI-curious but skeptical, this conversation is for you.