Industry Edge

Michelle Keckler and Danielle Neely
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Welcome to the Industry Edge podcast, where we dive into stories, strategies, and insights from leaders shaping the world's hardest-working industries. If you're passionate about making a big impact in B2B, you're in the right place.

  1. 5 FEB

    More Than a Box: Faith-Led Leadership in the Corrugated Industry

    In this episode of the Industry Edge podcast, host Danielle Neely interviews Derrick Wilson, the general manager of Nashville Box. They discuss the importance of corrugated packaging solutions, the significance of building relationships with customers, and the common pain points faced by businesses in the packaging industry. Derrick shares insights on the necessity of growth in business, the value of a personal scorecard for self-reflection, and the distinction between coaching and managing in leadership. The conversation emphasizes the importance of responsibility, empathy, and empowering others in a leadership role.

    30 min

  2. 8 JAN

    The Future of Utilities: Sustainability, AI, and Integrity

    In this episode of the Industry Edge podcast, host Danielle Neely interviews Robbi Dickens, Senior Manager at Eisner Amper, who specializes in business process transformation and internal audit engagements. Robbi shares his journey in the utility sector, highlighting a significant case study where he helped transform a troubled water system in Louisiana. The conversation delves into the importance of water and sewer rate studies, sustainability in utility management, and the integration of AI in operations. Robbie emphasizes the career opportunities in the utility sector and the integrity required in consulting relationships.

    31 min

  3. 18/12/2025 · VIDEO

    The Power of Building Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn

    In this conversation, Shannon Culpepper emphasizes the importance of building authentic connections and relationships online. She has been successful doing this, as she has 25K Followers on LinkedIn and making more connections daily. Our discussion highlights the value of being kind and nurturing real relationships in the digital space.

    17 min

  4. 01/10/2025

    Building People-First Cultures with Daniel White from Pan-Oston

    In this episode of the Industry Edge podcast, host Danielle Neely speaks with Daniel White, HR and Safety Manager at Pan-Oston, about effective HR strategies, onboarding processes, and the importance of workplace culture in retaining employees. They discuss the challenges of attracting younger talent in the manufacturing industry and how Pan-Oston has adapted its hiring practices to improve employee satisfaction and engagement. Daniel shares insights on the company's commitment to work-life balance and the initiatives that make Pan-Oston a desirable place to work. ..... Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [00:00] Introduction to Pan-Oston and Daniel White [02:12] Onboarding Process and Employee Retention Strategies [06:22] Identifying the Right Hires: Early Warning Signs [09:47] Attracting Younger Talent in a Changing Workforce [13:10] Workplace Culture and Employee Engagement Initiatives [16:00] Work-Life Balance and Employee Satisfaction [21:50] Conclusion and Career Opportunities at Pan-Oston ….. Key Takeaways:  Pan-Oston specializes in manufacturing retail store fixtures. The onboarding process at Pan-Oston is notably short, focusing on hands-on training. Quality of hires has improved by empowering supervisors in the hiring process. Early reviews at three days help assess new hires' fit and satisfaction. "Word of mouth" is a key strategy for attracting younger talent. Pan-Oston offers a unique culture that encourages employee referrals. The company provides paid volunteer hours to employees. Work-life balance initiatives have led to increased employee satisfaction. The leadership pipeline is crucial for promoting internal talent. Pan-Oston is committed to being a second-chance employer. ..... Sponsor for this episode: This episode is brought to you by KNC Marketing.   We help B2B industrial companies grow their brands' reach and increase sales. KNC is a full-service agency that partners with B2B businesses to either serve as a fully outsourced marketing department or to supplement their in-house marketing departments.  To learn more about our brand development, marketing, and website design services, visit https://kncmarketingagency.com/.

    22 min

  5. 11/09/2025

    The Predictive Hiring Model: Building Teams That Last

    In this episode, Danielle Neely interviews Chad Carter, an expert in predictive hiring. They discuss the importance of a structured hiring process, common mistakes organizations make, and the five essential attributes to look for in candidates. Chad emphasizes the significance of employer branding and the role of soft skills in hiring. He advocates for viewing hiring as a strategic discipline that can transform an organization's culture and performance. ..... Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [00:00] Introduction to Predictive Hiring [02:47] The Importance of a Structured Hiring Process [06:03] Common Hiring Mistakes and Their Impact [09:11] The Role of Interviewers in Hiring [11:58] Understanding the Five C's of Hiring [14:52] Balancing Hard and Soft Skills in Hiring [17:57] Employer Branding and Its Significance [20:55] Building an Employer Brand from Day One [24:10] The Gut Feeling vs. Structured Hiring [26:46] Final Thoughts on Strategic Hiring ….. Key Takeaways:  Hiring mistakes occur 70% of the time due to lack of preparation. A structured hiring process can significantly improve hiring success rates. Hiring too quickly often leads to poor decisions. The five C's of hiring are character, calling, chemistry, competence, and contribution. Employer branding is crucial for attracting top talent. Soft skills are often more important than hard skills in hiring. Hiring should be viewed as a strategic opportunity, not a transactional task. The right hire can accelerate organizational success. Interviewers should be chosen based on their ability to assess candidates effectively. Building an employer brand starts from day one. ..... Sponsor for this episode: This episode is brought to you by KNC Marketing. We help B2B industrial companies grow their brands' reach and increase sales. KNC is a full-service agency that partners with B2B businesses to either serve as a fully outsourced marketing department or to supplement their in-house marketing departments.  To learn more about our brand development, marketing, and website design services, visit https://kncmarketingagency.com/.

    41 min

  6. 21/08/2025

    How To Tell Your Story Without Making It All About You

    In this episode, Danielle Neely discusses the importance of storytelling in marketing, emphasizing the need for brands to focus on their customers rather than themselves. She outlines four key strategies for effective storytelling: making the customer the hero, using origin stories to build trust, sharing transformation stories, and humanizing the brand by showcasing real people. The episode concludes with a reminder that customers are more interested in how a brand can solve their problems and make them feel valued. ..... Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [00:00] Introduction to Storytelling in Marketing [00:50] The Importance of Customer-Centric Storytelling [03:04] Four Keys to Effective Storytelling [06:21] Wrapping Up: Making Customers the Heroes ….. Key Takeaways:  Don't make yourself the hero of the story. Your customers don't care about your origin story. Use your origin to build trust with customers. Tell transformation stories to showcase success. Show real people behind your brand. People buy how you make them feel. Guide customers to the solutions they need. Your story should focus on customer outcomes. Humanize your team to build credibility. Marketing should always point back to the customer. ..... Sponsor for this episode: This episode is brought to you by KNC Marketing. We help B2B industrial companies grow their brands' reach and increase sales. KNC is a full-service agency that partners with B2B businesses to either serve as a fully outsourced marketing department or to supplement their in-house marketing departments.  To learn more about our brand development, marketing, and website design services, visit https://kncmarketingagency.com/.

    8 min

  7. 14/08/2025

    Built to Last: Creating Legacy in Family Owned Business

    In this episode of the Industry Edge Podcast, Michelle interviews Justin Larson, Owner of Family Water Treatment, a third-generation family business specializing in water treatment solutions. Justin shares his journey from a career in vehicle manufacturing to joining the family business, emphasizing the importance of customer care, innovation, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He discusses the unique dynamics of working in a family business, the challenges of scaling while preserving service quality, and the significance of hiring passionate individuals who align with the company's values. The conversation highlights the importance of continuous improvement and the commitment to providing excellent customer service while navigating the complexities of family dynamics in business.

    31 min

  8. 07/08/2025

    Don't Just Hang Your Core Values: Live Them

    In this episode of the Industry Edge podcast, host Danielle Neely discusses the importance of not just having core values but actively living them within an organization. She emphasizes that core values should be integrated into hiring practices, rewarded, communicated regularly, and made tangible for employees. Through real-life examples, such as the BOLD campaign at Toyota Material Handling Mid-South, Danielle illustrates how living core values can lead to a stronger company culture, higher employee morale, and better retention rates. ..... Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [00:00] Introduction to Core Values [02:36] Living Core Values in Hiring Practices [05:38] Rewarding and Recognizing Core Values [08:16] Communicating and Experiencing Core Values [09:33] Case Study: BOLD Campaign at Toyota Material Handling Mid-South ..... Quotable moments: "Values are more than just posters." "Reward them often and publicly." "Repetition builds that reputation." ..... Key Takeaways:  Core values should be actively lived, not just displayed. Hiring practices should reflect the company's core values. Rewarding employees for embodying values boosts morale. Regular communication about values keeps them relevant. Visual representations of values enhance employee engagement. Real-life examples of values in action inspire others. Creating initiatives around values can lead to significant cultural changes. Employee recognition should be specific and public. Values should be integrated into everyday decision-making. Leadership must embody the values for them to resonate. ..... Action Steps: To embed core values into your organization's culture, begin with leadership. Values must be consistently embodied at the top for them to be taken seriously throughout the team. Leaders should model these values in both their actions and decisions, demonstrating that they are not just words on a wall but standards for how business is done. Integrate these values into your hiring process by selecting candidates whose behavior and mindset already reflect your company's principles. This ensures culture fit from day one. Once onboard, reinforce values through regular communication; discuss them in team meetings, performance reviews, and internal messaging so they stay top-of-mind. Use visual cues like posters, screensavers, or dashboards to keep them present in the day-to-day environment. Encourage engagement by sharing real-life stories of how values are being lived out across departments. This not only inspires but also provides tangible examples for others to emulate. Reward employees who exemplify core values with specific and public recognition. Avoid generic praise; name the value they demonstrated and explain how it made a difference. This kind of affirmation strengthens morale and signals what behaviors are celebrated. Go further by creating initiatives or campaigns that focus on living out specific values across teams; whether it's a month focused on collaboration or a challenge around integrity. These efforts foster collective buy-in and lead to measurable cultural shifts. Ultimately, when values are consistently modeled, reinforced, and celebrated, they become deeply integrated into the way your team thinks, interacts, and makes decisions—turning abstract ideals into actionable culture. ..... Sponsor for this episode: This episode is brought to you by KNC Marketing. We help B2B industrial companies grow their brands' reach and increase sales. KNC is a full-service agency that partners with B2B businesses to either serve as a fully outsourced marketing department or to supplement their in-house marketing departments.  To learn more about our brand development, marketing, and website design services, visit https://kncmarketingagency.com/.

    11 min
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About

Welcome to the Industry Edge podcast, where we dive into stories, strategies, and insights from leaders shaping the world's hardest-working industries. If you're passionate about making a big impact in B2B, you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Keckler and Danielle Neely
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Industry Edge (c) 2024
  • Show Website
    Industry Edge