Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

In business and in life we all experience pain we can't control. Jim Carr reflects on the recent death of his parents and gives practical advice on how business leaders can prepare for personal loss and grief.   Segments: Jason Zenger talks about the recent trend of companies coming back to ZENGER'S from large national integrators and discusses the value of high-level customer service. (3:20) Jaso...

Co-hosts Jim Carr, Nick Goellner and Jason Zenger talk about their past experiences with fear in business, including navigating recession, unemployment, and the current pandemic, then offer seven steps for leading through fear, along with personal applications and examples.    Segments: Nick and Jim to talk about their most fearful time in business (1:30) Jim gives an update on Carr Machine Tool's...

Guest Steve Schubert , Chief Operating Officer at Advanced Machine & Engineering Co ., talks with co-hosts Jim Carr, Nick Goellner, and Jason Zenger about his rise from high school apprentice to a manufacturing industry leader and provides advice and perspective on recruiting and training the next generation of manufacturers.   Segments: Jason provides a positive outlook on business-related change...

When it comes to your cutting tools, how do you know when it's time to resharpen or recycle? This week on the MakingChips podcast, hosts Jim Carr, Jason Zenger, and Nick Goellner discuss when and why you should consider resharpening your cutting tools as well as the cost to resharpen versus cost of buying brand new.

It's tempting, in rapid response, to abandon procedures or suspend protocols in order to solve immediate crisis situations. This week's guest, Noah Goellner, lean manufacturing expert and COO of Hennig Inc., provides practical methods for incorporating your company's core values and internal processes to produce successful solutions, no matter the timeline or challenge.

MakingChips guest Jim Griffith, an employment attorney for HR Source, answers timely questions about individual state and federal marijuana laws, and provides manufacturing leaders with three action steps to help address management and human resources issues related to the use of legalized cannabis.

Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), talks with MC hosts Jim Carr, Nick Goellner, and Jason Zenger to provide insight into the current economic conditions for manufacturers during COVID-19 and offer an economic forecast for the future of our industry.

In a timely interview, Jim Carr, Nick Goellner, and Jason Zenger sit down with Cook County IL Board of Commissioners President  Toni Preckwinkle , who oversees one of the nation's largest public health and hospital systems as well as one of the nation's largest criminal justice systems, to discuss details of the COVID-19 management and response, the  CARES Act , and how to utilize current and futu...

Are there any positives in this pandemic? With social distancing, working from home, schools and businesses closing, and travel being restricted, the physical and psychological impact of COVID-19 is hitting us all. The MakingChips podcast has always focused on equipping and inspiring leaders in the manufacturing industry and we are not changing course now. In this episode, Jim Carr and Nick Goelln...

In this week's MakingChips podcast, hosts Jason Zenger, Jim Carr, and Nick Goellner discuss the impact of today's  Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and consider its effect on the manufacturing industry, future investors, travel and much more.

When the family members running the family business comprise everyone from seasoned octogenarians to fresh-faced millennials, challenges arise that are not necessarily talked about in other industries. In this week's MakingChips podcast, hosts Jim Carr, Jason Zenger and Nick Goellner (representing three separate generations) delve into some complex, and often emotional, leadership issues experienc...

As business leaders, the way we respond to unforeseen issues and crises can put a spotlight on both strengths and vulnerabilities within our corporate practices, culture, and personal character.      In this week's MakingChips podcast, Jason Zenger challenges Jim Carr, Nick Goellner and the metalworking nation to examine the impact of today's Coronavirus (CoV) pandemic, and consider its effect on...

You are motivated, inspired and positive - your employee… not so much. How can you turn around an employee who does not match the positive energy in your workplace? In today's episode of MakingChips, Jason Zenger, and Jim Carr, discuss a listener's question and come up with 3 ways you can inspire your employees even if you're new to your leadership role. Learn how to bring the energy, develop or r...

Has anyone ever called you a control freak? Do you have trouble sharing responsibility? Is your inability to delegate holding back your potential? Divide and conquer is the name of the game on today's episode of MakingChips. Jason Zenger, Jim Carr and Nick Goellner take a look at how to become the best version of yourself by taking simple steps such as learning to delegate and be more self-aware....

What exactly is the multiplier effect? How does manufacturing positively impact the economy and our communities? What makes manufacturing and other "creation industries" different from service industries?    In today's episode of MakingChips, Jason Zenger tackles these questions and more as the MakingChips team dives into a listener question.  Do Jim Carr and Nick Goellner agree with the analysis?...

This week's guest on MakingChips, Federico Sciammarella, CTO at MxD, gives us an insider's glimpse of the "future factory" and offers practical ways to introduce digital to any size shop. Located in Chicago, MxD is one of 14 institutes that make up Manufacturing USA, a public-private funded partnership working to secure American manufacturing's future through innovation, education, and collaborati...

Sustainable growth for today's manufacturing leader has as much to do with company values as it does with the value of your company. As industry leaders, setting meaningful personal and professional goals assure strong culture, inspire innovation and, ultimately, increase shareholder value. In this week's MakingChips podcast, Jim Carr, Jason Zenger, and Nick Goellner each share the vision behind t...

What's the one question to ask before making any investment decision? As leaders in the industry we are dedicated to growth, yet with quality manufacturing relying so heavily on process, it often seems safer to keep doing things the way we always have. In today's episode of MakingChips, Jason Zenger talks mergers, acquisitions, and good ways to grow with Mike Payne, President of Hill Manufacturing...

A team of leaders who are not united will never reach their potential.  On today's episode of MakingChips, the guys discuss the importance of team health after Jason Zenger shares an exercise he does with his leadership team at ZENGERS.  This exercise brings healthy conflict to the forefront of their end-of-year planning meetings. The process improves company culture and brings teams closer togeth...

Quality management in the manufacturing industry should be high on your list of priorities. Carr Machine & Tool is going through the auditing process with ProShop ERP to prepare for the AS9100 certification they'd like to obtain. In this episode of MakingChips, the guys will talk with Paul Van Metre and Michael Collins about ProShop ERP, AS9100, and everything you need to know to prepare for getti...

Is it possible to recession-proof a business? With all the chatter in the economic world about the potential of a recession, how do you mitigate your losses? Are their things that you can do up-front that would help you survive a recession? Jim and Jason discuss the 'dirty word' in the industry and some steps you can consider implementing before—or when—a recession hits.  Connect with us: www. Mak...

Today's guest on the MakingChips podcast is passionate about job creation in the manufacturing industry. Today's youth are being pushed towards college degree—while racking up debt—which has led to $1.6 trillion in student loan debt in the country. It is staggering. Unfortunately, many students spend the majority of their working life paying off that debt.  Jon Klinepeter left a career as a Pastor...

Employee onboarding can be stressful and it's hard to know what you should or shouldn't be doing. What do you tell a new hire on day one? Do you start the process before their first day? When do you do performance reviews? The list of questions goes on! Today, Jim and Jason are going to walk you through the Carr Machine & Tool onboarding experience.  Connect with us: www. MakingChips.com/contact H...

This re-release of one of our most popular episodes includes never released bonus content about development, retention strategies, compensation techniques and much more. Our returning guest, Jess Giudici, packs a punch with her on-point advice and skillful mastery of employee development. If you're ready to grow and retain a team of motivated and fulfilled employees, don't miss this special episod...

Is social media marketing for manufacturers really worth the effort? How should you market your brand in general? It may be hard to figure out where you fit in the social media world and what content to put out. In this episode of Making Chips, Jim and Jason talk about why social media marketing can make a positive impact on your business. Their answers aren't what you expect! Connect with us: www...