Workforce 4.0

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt welcomes Soren Peters, CEO of HowToRobot. They delve into Soren's background, from IT to robotics, and discuss the importance of making technology accessible and mainstream in the manufacturing industry. Soren shares insights on community building in manufacturing, workforce development, and the future impact of technology on work. He also emphasize...

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Paul Ryznar, CEO and Founder of Light Guide. They discuss the transformative impact of projection-based augmented reality technology in manufacturing. Paul shares his journey and insights into how technology can enhance productivity and quality on factory floors. Topics include the role of AI in manufacturing, the benefits of connecte...

According to this week's guest on Workforce 4.0, James Soto, sharing stories across the manufacturing industry isn't only mandatory for good marketing, it's mandatory for building a lasting workforce. This week, Ann Wyatt sits down with James (CEO of Industrial Strength Marketing) to learn more about how manufacturing companies can leverage the power of story telling to boost their recruitment ini...

How does Mission Design and Automation take the lead on retaining fresh talent for their growing workforce? On this episode of Workforce 4.0,, host Ann Wyatt interviews Ryan Lillibridge, (Vice President of the organization) as he shares best practices for fostering a collaborative work culture and Mission's key philosophy on taking care of each other (as well as the customer). Ryan also delves int...

From building machines to building Apple iPhones, Roman Piszcz (Founder of Quotebeam) has a lot of experience in creating products and helping businesses find real solutions. It was from his personal passion for creating a better way for companies to purchase products. This week on Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Roman and Nikki Gonzales to discuss in more detail about his passion for...

In this season 5 opener of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Jeff Kondel, Founder and Executive Director of ROOTS Education Company. They discuss Jeff's journey into robotics and his dedication to integrating advanced automation and robotics into educational systems, spanning from elementary schools to universities. Jeff shares insights on how Roots Education is bridging the gap between...

Is it truly the end of document as we know it? Bryan Bauw, COO of Pico MES thinks so and on this episode of Workforce 4.0, Ann Wyatt is in conversation on Bryan on how the future of work is being drastically changed through the adaption of technology for the dreaded documentation process. Bryan also shares his journey from starting as an industrial engineer to becoming a prominent figure on the ma...

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt interviews Lori Harbour, Principal of Wipfli. Lori shares her journey into the manufacturing industry, ignited by her father, and her passion for revitalizing North American manufacturing. They discuss the importance of a strategic approach to HR, succession planning, and building a strong company culture. Lori emphasizes the role of technology and...

From rocking Warped Tour to rocking the way that we train the next generation of manufacturing talent, Peter Costa, CEO and Founder of Baltu Technologies, has always done things on his own terms. On this week's episode of Workforce 4.0, Peter sits down with Ann Wyatt to share more about how he took inspiration from YouTube and the way that he learned in a classroom setting and developed a unique t...

Creativity in manufacturing comes in all forms and for Paul Miklautsch, Soloprenuer at BOLDR Project Management, design thinking is a key part of creating strong processes and strong workforces. On this episode of Workforce 4.0, we learn more from Paul on the concept of design thinking and how implementing that strategy to your manufacturing business to build your team can lead to success in build...

Culture is a hot topic in manufacturing and a topic that is near and dear to TCO Strategies owner and fellow podcaster, Jim Mayer';s heart. On this episode of Workforce 4.0, Ann Wyatt sits down with Jim for a one on one conversation on the impacts that culture has on your organization from a recruiting perspective as well as the financial impacts that poor culture can have on your organization. Mo...

It all started when Amy Teal and Mike Franz met up for coffee. That's how the origin of ShopFloor Coffee was born. Now, with names like "Red Shop Towel" and "First Shift," ShopFloor Coffee is leveraging their workforce themed coffee and their passion for workforce development to give a portion of their proceeds back to keep fueling critical training programs to fight the skills gap. In this week's...

As the former CEO of BILSTEIN ThyssenKrupp, Fabian Schmahl not only understands the value of stakeholders, but the value of people. Today, Fabian acts as a Managing Partner for Bold Promises Delivered, and continues to advocate for Industry 4.0 and people over process. Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down for a one on one conversation with Fabian to learn more on what it means to win big for people thr...

It all started in a cornfield. That is the how Mike White, Founder of Secchi.io , began his mission to create a solution that has been haunting the manufacturing HR world for decades- how do we let great workers do great work? On this Season 4 opener of Workforce 4.0, join your host Ann Wyatt as she talks one on one with Mike about the the day to day challenges that manufacturing HR executives are...

How is a self described "serial entrepreneur" bringing her passion for business and creative design to the forefront of the robotics industry? This question and more is revealed on this week's episode of Workforce 4.0 as Kim Losey, Chief Growth Officer of Rapid Robotics sits down with Ann Wyatt to discuss the importance of creative design in business and how creativity is shaping the future of the...

When it comes to the transformative power of technology and how tech is shaping the way that we work, Jack Nehlig, President of Phoenix Contact is far from a stranger. Conversely, Jack is quite the innovator in this space just as much as Phoenix Contact is continuing to innovate industrial automation. In this episode, join our host, Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Jack to talk more about how Jack...

How is Augmented Reality going to shape the way that we work in manufacturing? On this week's episode of Workforce 4.0, our host Ann Wyatt sits down with Angela Ortiz to learn more about how work instructions are not only going digital, but impacting recruiting and retention strategies, addressing resource challenges and scaling and the impact that partnerships have on influencing career goals. In...

What's it like to be a robot boss and why is this an exciting new career of the future of work? Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Florian Pestoni, Co-Founder and CEO of InOrbit AI to learn more about how manufacturing companies and supply chain companies are utilizing cutting edge cloud technology to enable the workforce of the future. Joined by Ryan Treece as a guest co-host, Ryan and Ann go i...

Manufacturing careers are for everyone, especially creatives! In this episode, we dive into the intersection of manufacturing innovation and the perspectives of the Gen Z workforce. Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Jacob Sanchez, the MFGKid, for a dynamic conversation about the roles of creativity in the future of work, what Gen Z values in their career development and how we can continue to m...

Episode Notes: How many times over the last few years have we heard the words, "supply chain" and what types of jobs can we expect to be trending amongst the future of the supply chain landscape? Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Tom Brouillette from OTIS Supply Chain Consulting as they answer this question and tackle some of the other topics related to this rapidly growing industry. In This Ep...

Episode Notes: When Ryan Treece began pursing his educational path at Western Michigan University, he had a very limited scope of what career opportunities actually existed in the world of manufacturing outside of engineering roles. Flash forward a decade later and Ryan has certainly earned his role as a Business Development Manager of his company, Telit. Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down for a deep...

Episode Notes: Launched in 2016, KTECH has awarded more than 300 certifications. In 16 weeks KTECH students earn 4 industry recognized certifications to meet the increasing demands of our manufacturing rich community. KTECH is meeting a need in the non-profit sector that no other organization is serving, connecting people to careers. Taking Kids to Love from grassroots to a global outreach has lan...

Episode Notes: When I first met Mike Yost through the Industry 4.0 Club, I remember being so inspired by his passion for people his commitment to making sure that they're the focus of all digital transformation. After learning more about his work through his own nonprofit, IGBYS and his work regionally, nationally and globally, I can personally testify that Mike Yost is the manufacturing man! Mike...

Episode Notes: It's hard to imagine someone more passionate about technology and workforce development in the manufacturing community than the one and only Will Healy! Will has made his own identity as "Will I Automate" on numerous social platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn and Tik Tok. His dedication to the industry through serving on panels about technology, product marketing and workforce developm...

Episode Notes: This week on Workforce 4.0, we are extremely honored to be hosting Mike Nager, with the Solution Center of Festo Didactic. Mike is not only a 3x published author but a 4x Top IIOT and Industry 4.0 Influencer and has some solid experience in leading the way when it comes to Digital Transformation and smart manufacturing. A champion of workforce development, Mike has long been advocat...