Accelerating Operational Performance

    Most plant managers pick up one or two of these five patterns in their first year — not because they’re bad leaders, but because nobody warned them. In this special edition of Accelerating Operational Performance, Greg walks through five common mistakes first-year plant managers make, from thinking day-to-day instead of long-term to confusing […]

    After 49 interviews with senior leaders, operators, engineers, and executives — including a former London, Ontario mayor — Greg pulls back the curtain on the three themes that keep surfacing no matter who’s in the chair. What do success and struggle actually have in common across industries, roles, and experience levels? Spoiler: it’s […]

    If you’re an operations leader with any responsibility for growth, sales isn’t someone else’s problem — it’s yours. In this episode of Accelerating Operational Performance, Greg Schinkel sits down in-studio with sales strategist, speaker, and author Shawn Casemore to tackle the sales challenges that manufacturing and operations leaders face every day — whether...

    Most business owners have heard of a fractional CFO. Far fewer have heard of a fractional COO, and that might be exactly the role their business needs. In this episode of the Accelerating Operational Performance podcast, Greg Schinkel sits down with Josh Post, a fractional COO and executive coach who spent more than […]

    Kevin Schinkel, President of Schinkel’s Legacy, joins Greg on the Accelerating Operational Performance podcast to share what 14 years on the plant floor taught him about leadership. From the Easter ham disaster that humbled him, to overcoming imposter syndrome, to the simple question that transformed how he delegates—Kevin opens up about the real […]

    Nadia Dawe, a people, learning, culture, and operations leader with deep experience in transportation, transit, maintenance, safety, compliance, and frontline leadership, shares what she learned as she moved from L&D into Operations and why the work ultimately comes back to people. Together, Greg and Nadia explore how leaders can get closer to the work, […]

    How do you transition from a “top-down” manager to a strategic leader who drives operational excellence? Greg sits down with industry veteran Darcy Scott to unpack over 30 years of experience in high-velocity logistics and 3PL. Darcy shares his personal journey of leadership evolution. This conversation provides a roadmap for empowering teams, leading […]

Greg sits down with Jeff Gallant, an operations leader with over 30 years of experience driving transformation across some of Canada’s most recognized industrial organizations. Jeff has led billion-dollar investments, large teams, and major operational change—but what stands out most is his perspective on leadership. This conversation gets into what actually drives results on the floor: - The shif...

Discover how to turn frontline leadership training into lasting behavior change. Greg Schinkel and Kandis Neth share secrets to making operational learning stick.

    In this episode, Rick Richkowski, VP of Operations at Arrow TruLine, shares leadership insights. He discusses scaling operational excellence through a situational problem-solving approach, the impact of automation on high-volume manufacturing, and the importance of leadership stability in driving long-term sustainability.  

    In this episode of the Accelerating Operational Performance Podcast, Greg sits down with entrepreneur Rob Szabo, owner of Palasad and Escapology, to talk about his journey of leadership growth. Rob shares how he evolved from a hands-on operator in the hospitality industry to a strategic leader running multiple locations with a strong management […]

    Greg is joined by Ted Bezner, instructor with Unique Training & Development and an expert in cross-cultural communication and frontline leadership development. Ted shares his journey into training, his experience teaching leadership programs across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, and what it really takes to engage adult learners—especially frontline leaders who [&...

Greg Schinkel and Dr. Steve Cohen share how to build a leadership training strategy that drives real behavior change.

In this special edition of the Accelerating Operational Performance Podcast, Greg Schinkel shares critical insights gained from his recent manufacturing site visits in 2025. As we enter the new year, Greg discusses the common traps that keep plant operations from reaching their full potential and provides a roadmap for leaders to go from good to great.

On this Accelerating Operational Performance Rewind, Greg Schinkel and Kirk Langford look back at some of the most impactful conversations from the podcast—episodes that resonated most with plant managers, operational leaders, and manufacturing executives. This episode isn’t about theory. It’s about what actually works on the shop floor and in leadership roles where pressure is real, and results m...

    Learn operational leadership lessons from Graphic Packaging EVP Michael Farrell. In this AOP podcast episode, Greg and Michael discuss accountability, breaking silos, and leading with authenticity to drive efficiency and productivity in any manufacturing or operational environment.  

Are you spending thousands on training—forklift certifications, safety modules, and leadership seminars—only to see your "Professional Development" scores tank on the annual employee survey? You aren't alone. There is a massive disconnect between what HR calls "investment" and what employees call "mandatory compliance." In this Special Edition of the Accelerating Operational Performance podcast, G...

The manufacturing workplace is full of pressure, but the real enemy isn't the busy schedule—it’s burnout and the invisible drain of workplace toxicity. In this episode, Greg sits down with certified speaking professional and resilience expert Beverly Beuermann-King to deliver a practical blueprint for leaders and professionals struggling to stay engaged and healthy.

Master the human skills—connection, communication, and creativity—and the leadership skills needed to bridge the skill gaps in manufacturing. In this episode, Greg sits down with the brilliant Emily Nichols, engineer, keynote speaker, and founder of Connect Better Inc. Emily is a rare blend of technical expertise and human connection. She spent two decades improving products and processes from bre...

In Part 2, Ed Holder continues his story, detailing his successful entry into federal politics, his time as a Federal Minister, and his eventual return home to serve as Mayor of London, Ontario.

    In this first part of a powerful two-part interview, Greg sits down with Ed Holder to map his incredible career journey, which holds powerful lessons on resilience, service, and leadership in both business and politics.  

Ysni Semsedini didn't wait for opportunities; he planned his ascent. The CEO of London Hydro joins Greg Schinkel to share his powerful journey from an electrical engineering student to a top executive, outlining the deliberate steps he took to chart his career path and the essential shift every technical expert must make to become a true leader. Ysni breaks down how he transformed London Hydro's c...

This special edition of the Accelerating Operational Performance (AOP) podcast, hosted by Greg Schinkel, explores how to improve the relationship between corporate support functions and manufacturing operations. Learn how to transform this dynamic by combating organizational distractions and establishing a collaborative partnership. Discover practical strategies to make your business more efficien...

Transform uncertainty into growth. Executive coach James Coolidge offers insights for leaders to reframe challenges as opportunities for reinvention, enhance psychological safety, and leverage mindful thinking for thriving teams and accelerated performance.

Discover how effective leadership development can accelerate operational performance with Dean Crawford, VP of HR at Aspire MRO. Learn strategies for growth and building high-performing teams.