How Manufacturers Improve

In this episode, Kirby delves into three critical behaviors that are sabotaging leadership potential. Listen to learn these barriers to leadership potential and effective strategies to overcome them. Download the Leaders Guide

In this episode, Michael Muilenburg and Kirby Sneen dive into the key characteristics that set professional problem solvers apart. Learn from Michael's experiences, discover common pitfalls to avoid, and learn the traits you need to succeed. Download the Leaders Guide

In this episode, learn how to improve your process capability. Nick Cristan shares the importance of producing repeatable results, how to utilize metrics and language to communicate with your team, and how to get people involved in solving a problem.     Download the Leaders Guide

Join Monica Smith and Abby Vork as they interview Kirby Sneen on Trends in Training. From the rise of AI to the move toward microlearning, learn what's trending and how to improve and benefit from emerging changes.  

In this episode, learn how to delegate well to accomplish more and empower team members to grow their skills. Matt Dillon shares insights on communication, approach, and avoiding micromanagement when delegating.  Download the Leaders Guide

Learn how to implement Kanban in your shop to start seeing better flow. In this episode, Crystal Selchow and Kirby Sneen discuss how to get started with kanban, deal with change management, and understand kanban size. 

In this episode, learn how you can effectively balance leading with working together. Alec Theros shares his insights on motivation for becoming a leader, navigating conflict successfully, building trust with a team, and more.  DOWNLOAD THE LEADERS GUIDE

In this episode, Kirby Sneen and Kacinda Ruiz dive into how to create value stream maps. Discover practical tips and real-world insights on creating and optimizing value stream maps to identify hidden inefficiencies and drive strategic improvements. DOWLOAD THE LEADERS GUIDE

In this episode, learn how to have tough conversations with confidence. Kirby Sneen shares his insights on navigating what could be nerve-wracking moments, whether it's giving performance feedback, letting someone go, or addressing a sensitive issue. Download the Leaders Guide

Join Kirby Sneen and Jeremy Blake as they discuss keys to successful Green Belt Projects. With years of experience and thousands of projects reviewed, they've learned what truly works—and what doesn't. Whether you're battling constraints like limited time, lack of support, or shifting priorities, this episode will give you guidance. Tune in to discover the essential inputs needed for a great 6 Sig...

More and more manufacturers are popping up new plants in countries around the globe in order to remain competitive, as we've seen this happen we got curious about how you manage them all effectively and how you might manage the cultural, regulatory, and logistical differences? In this episode, Kirby talks with Arvind Sharma, a global manufacturing leader for major manufacturers here in MN and beyo...

If you've ever wondered how to talk to your kids about your job or are looking for an easy way to support more kids learning about manufacturing your going to love this conversation. Keep listening and I promise you'll feel equipped to talk to anyone about your profession in manufacturing. www.makepublishing.com Promo code: ma10

Everyone needs a plan to prevent or be prepared to deescalate conflict. For all kinds of practical tips and real world experience on how you can learn how to deal with conflict enjoy this conversation with HR leader Jessica Lyons. Download the Leaders Guide

If you want to improve performance and feel great about it along the way your going to appreciate this conversation with Scott Helgeson and Andrew Maruska with Chart Industries. They will walk you through their 6 Sigma projects and how they helped improve quality and communication. Download the Leaders Guide

On today's episode, Sarah Lampert shares what it takes to successfully drive workforce development, get your leadership team on the same page, and overcome challenges HR leaders face so they have a worforce that's ready for the future.  Download the Leader's Guide

If you're interested in faith-based leadership principles and want to incorporate them into your leadership style so that you can helps others make an eternal impact, you're going to love this episode. We've invited the President and COO of Cold Spring Granite, Greg Flint to talk about these principles and how he has applied them, so you can too!   Download the Leader's Guide

If you're an executive and you're not sure what your role should be in creating a culture of Continuous Improvement, you're going to love today's conversation with Todd Roth!  Download the Leader's Guide

For those of you who have struggled with using Lean tools, or who have felt like they have done more harm than good, today's guest Matt Colby is going to help you learn what you can do to use Lean systems to increase engagement, solve problems, and get real business results! Download the Leader's Guide    Thank you to our episode sponsor, Wipfli. They are the firm whose perspective can change ever...

Every December we bring together a couple hundred leaders from our 15 different Peer Groups. On this week's episode, you get to hear the executive perspectives panel from that meeting, featuring Heather Stewart the President of ILLUME, and Jon Lund the VP of Operations at Twin City Fan. Enjoy our conversation as we discuss leadership and workforce development.   Request a Peer Group Invitation

For those of you who have struggled to develop a team that works really well together, you're going to love this episode.   This week we're talking with Jason Postelli, the Program Manager of Operational Excellence for Abbott. He shares what he's done to develop high-caliber teams throughout his career, so that you can, too!   Download the Leader's Guide

On this week's episode, we hope that you are inspired by Kirby Sneen and Brittany Bowling, as they share their favorite episode, and biggest takeaway from 2023!   This episode of the Manufacturers Alliance Podcast is sponsored by Wipfli, the firm whose perspective can change everything for your business. Learn more at www.wipfli.com/manufacturing

If you're an operations leader who has been wondering about the life of their equipment or when it's time to start looking at replacements, you're going to love today's episode. Our guest Simon Malinski is here from Bremer Bank to answer these questions and more!  Learn more about Bremer With bankers who know that in business, relationships matter more than ever. And understanding is everything. F...

Plans for improvement have become an expectation. The challenge for some is scaling up that plan to impact and include everyone across multiple site locations.   On today's episode Nate Aguilar shares his first-hand experience of how to develop a scalable improvement plan, reach your profit goals, and engage everyone in improvement.   Download the Leader's Guide     This episode of the Manufacture...

Part of creating a culture of continuous improvement begins with developing people so that they fight less fires and work more towards identifying and addressing the root cause. The problem is that this takes more time, doesn't come naturally for a lot of people, requires discipline, and certainly can't be done in a conference room.   Enjoy this week's episode featuring Eugene Arrington, as he sha...

There is a lot that can be learned from someone else's mistakes, but only if people are willing to share, and not just sweep them under the rug. As a leader you need to figure out what behaviors you can model that are ideal and what systems and structures you need to put in place that will create a culture that encourages people to speak up!   Enjoy my conversation with Mark Graban as he shares ab...