my TRUE POSITION

Ready to move your machine shop? Are you going to buy or lease? How many square feet do you think you need? How many docks? What are the restrictions for renovations? Do you need to sell your existing plant? This week I have my commercial realtor and friend here to offer advise to anyone looking to buy and or sell their industrial property.

Still waiting to buy a 5 axis machine? Is it the cost that scares you? Or the technology upgrade? Are you concerned you won't find someone to run it or is it a financial burden? Well on this week's episode I'm going to give the basics of why I think you should pull the trigger.

Are you feeling overworked? Feeling uninspired?  Has your energy level diminished and you're just not "into" your job lately? Don't worry, as hurried business executives we all go through this - but this is a sign you need some margin time. In this episode I share my own personal experience by allowing myself some.

Does the thought of six figure debt for an education stress you out? Are you looking for a career that can offer fast advancement based on performance? How about working for an industry that pays for your education? Well in this episode of MTP I interview industry veteran Terry Iverson and we're both going to let you in on our little secret.

Are you working at a company with multiple family members? Do you feel like they're getting preferential treatment? Are they abusing their privilege? On this episode I share my own experiences with nepotism and offer the non-family members some tips if; they believer there is a fragrant disregard.

Do you like process and planning? Are you afraid of change? Does your team collaborate well? Well War Room meetings might be just the ticket for your company.

Are you serious about growing your business? Are you ready for change? Do you want to run your company on just one operating system? Well this week on my TRUE POSITION I share the success we had at CARR Machine by implementing  the Entrepreneurial Operating System: "Traction" by Gino Wickman.

Do you have signed NDAs in place with your customers? Do you actually read them? Do you really know what you're signing or maybe you're not even signing them. This week I share with you the painful reality of losing a multi-million dollar account because of a social media post of one of their parts.

In a series of episodes highlighting different manufacturing associations this week we talk to Mark Denzler, the President and CEO of Illinois Manufacturers' Association to share all the benefits  and differences of joining a state association.

Do you think Annual Employee Performance Reviews are effective? What about six in the first year? On this episode of my TRUE POSITION I share my experiences and results in giving multiple Performance Reviews in the first year.

Are you still using an old-school payroll management system? Well this week on my TRUE POSITION I share my experiences moving to a Pay by the Minute pay system for the hourly employees - I am confident you will be surprised by the results.

Do you think you don't have time to be involved in an Association? Is there any value? What about the ROI? In this episode I'm going to give you those answers.

What would you do if suddenly, within one day, were thrown into a new role like running the business? One day you're an employee and the next day the boss - literally - think about how fast you'd have to pivot,  tough decisions for sure.

Have you ever wondered what association will bring you the biggest ROI? On this episode I interview my friend Kathly Gilmore, President of the Valley Industrial Association (VIA) here in Chicagoland. She tells us all the new news happening there and if this is something that is right for you.

If you've ever dreamed of buying a machine shop, then this episode will be just the ticket for you. I interviewed Bill Angsten of ANPEC Industries. Bill shares the challenges and successes of buying, operating and creating a strategic road map for the future of his business.

If you're like me you know the pains of growing up in a small, closely-held manufacturing company. Where there is no accountability, process or guardrails. You know these experiences, having no HR or no filters or no process. On this episode I share four decades of my experiences from the shop floor to the front office.

Are you at a networking event and someone is overly friendly? Are they invading your space and immediately your best friend? Do they try and make you feel good about yourself? Well that's a red light to warn you this person could be an opportunist.

Are you scared of communicating? Does the thought of telling a vendor their quality is awful? How about telling a customer that you quoted the job incorrectly and you're going to have to charge them 30% more. Well on this episode I'll share some tips and tricks of what I've learned by being honest and authentic about clear communication.

Is your manufacturing company on a path for growth? Do you like process and planning? Are you afraid of change? Does your team collaborate well? Well War Room meetings might be just the ticket for your company.

Did you grow up in a family owned business learning that a thriving company should be debt free? Is that a good approach to growing your business? Is it even possible? In this episode I share my own feelings on debt and offer some unusual lending options.

One of the top three hardest things I've had to do in my career was to terminate a veteran employee. An employee who I worked with for 21 years. I knew him, his family, and many aspects of his personal life. AND I had to give him the bad news that we were parting ways. On this episode, I share the gut-wrenching task of firing a friend.

Do you get random texts from "Amazon" saying they can't deliver your product, or how about your credit card has been compromised and you need to call or click the link immediately to stop it. The hackers are getting smarter and we're vulnerable. On this episode I'm going to share what to look for and not do and my own experience of ACH fraud and how to mitigate it.

What happens when a foursome of manufacturing leaders get together for an open conversation about the future of manufacturing? Issues they're having right now? And how is the health of manufacturing in their respective businesses?

Does the thought of writing someone up give you anxiety? How about having to tell someone they need to correct an action or there is a potential of termination? These are not fun meetings to have. I've struggled with this my entire career. In this episode I'm going to share with you how I've gotten over the anxiety of having to discipline a team member.

Do your insurance rates continue to skyrocket? Is it because of excessive workers compensation claims? On this episode of my TRUE POSITION I'm bringing in a special Safety Guest to share tips on how to beef up your safety protocols and save some money.