a BROADcast for Manufacturers

Keystone Click

Three BROADS (Lori Highby, Kris Harrington, and Erin Courtenay) bringing you stories and strategies exploring manufacturing topics that challenge the status quo while laying the foundations for future success. Together with special guests they’ll celebrate what’s working and unpack what is not so YOU can learn, grow, and succeed. The hosts are a BROADcast for Manufacturers are: Kris Harrington | President and COO of GenAlpha Technologies | linkedin.com/in/kristinaharrington Kris Harrington is the President and COO for GenAlpha Technologies. During her time with OEMs in the mining industry, Kris and the other founders of GenAlpha saw a need to find a better way for B2B manufacturers to do business. This led to the development of Equip360, an eCommerce, eCatalog and Analytics solution for manufacturers and distributors who want to grow their business online. Erin Courtenay | VP of Digital Services at Earthling Interactive | linkedin.com/in/erincourtenay Erin Courtenay is VP of Digital Services at Earthling Interactive. Erin loves watching programmers work their magic, opening up the possibilities of the internet to small and medium businesses with powerful websites and custom software. Calling herself a “digital empathy practitioner”, Erin is determined to help clients move thoughtfully and compassionately into their digital future. Lori Highby | Founder & CEO @ Keystone Click | linkedin.com/in/lorihighby Lori Highby is a podcast host, speaker, educator, and founder of Keystone Click, a strategic digital marketing agency. Using her vast multi-industry knowledge – gained from experience and education, She has the ability to see the potential of greatness within the already established good of a business. Through strategic actionable moves, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies to micro-business owners, to achieve their marketing goals.

  1. 85: Be the Guide: Turning Problems into Possibilities with Sarah Tilkens

    6 AGO

    85: Be the Guide: Turning Problems into Possibilities with Sarah Tilkens

    When GE Healthcare told Sarah Tilkens she was “too good where she was,” she turned rejection into redirection—and launched The KPI Lab. In this episode, she shares how her journey from corporate ops leader to executive coach is reshaping how businesses approach problem solving, people leadership, and continuous improvement. Sarah brings sharp strategy and a heart-first mindset to every challenge—from leading Kaizen events to coaching executives and mapping out better standards for success. 🔍 What You’ll Learn:Why your problem-solving process needs to start with defining successHow to shift from being the “hero” to being the “guide” for your teamThe power of experimentation (and what biology taught Sarah about business)Why most business failures stem from a lack of clear standardsThe difference between solving problems for your team vs. with your teamA smarter way to build problem-solvers using “what” questions instead of “why”How to market like a guide by understanding what your customers are really searching for 💬 Key Quotes:“I was just so sure of what I wanted to do—and I was unwilling to just be anymore.”“We hadn’t defined what good looks like. That’s why the system was chaotic.”“When you’re building problem solvers, you don’t ask why, you ask what.”“If the goal is to get healthy, but we all measure it differently, we’re not on the same page.”“Experiments give us permission to get it wrong—safely—and learn from it.”“Your customers are searching for the problem. Your brand needs to be the guide.”

    29 min
  2. 84: Leading Through the Noise: What Happens When Confidence Beats Fear

    23 JUL

    84: Leading Through the Noise: What Happens When Confidence Beats Fear

    The world is noisy. Economic uncertainty, workforce turnover, AI disruption, and generational divides have leaders second-guessing their every move. In this crossover episode of Broadcast for Manufacturers and Blue Collar BS, the gloves come off as Lori Highby, Erin Courtenay, Brad Herda, and Steve Doyle unpack how fear-based leadership is silently sabotaging teams—and what it really looks like to lead with confidence. This candid, not-so-safe-for-work conversation blends humor and hard truths as the group shares real stories, sharp insights, and a few Brad jokes along the way. If you’re a business owner, manufacturing leader, or executive navigating change, this is the reminder you didn’t know you needed: confidence is contagious—fear is, too. 💡 What You’ll Learn:How fear-based leadership shows up (and spreads like wildfire)The true cost of indecision and "zigzag" managementWhat each generation really wants from leadership todayHow to show confidence—even when you're unsureWhy Gen Z is leapfrogging into leadership rolesAnd yes, what a beetle nursery can teach us about emotional intelligence 🪲 🧠 Notable Quotes:“You can’t control the economy, but you can control how you show up as a leader.” – Brad Herda “It’s okay to say ‘I don’t know’—but you still need to move forward.” – Lori Highby “The moment you zigzag, people stop trusting what you say.” – Erin Courtenay “Fear-based leadership doesn’t inspire—it repels.” – Steve Doyle

    55 min
  3. 83: Breaking the Mold: Redefining Success in Manufacturing & Mentorship

    16 JUL

    83: Breaking the Mold: Redefining Success in Manufacturing & Mentorship

    In this episode of ABFM, we sit down with Tyler Marcus, a dynamic force in manufacturing and mentorship. Tyler shares the pivotal lessons that shaped his path, including his non-traditional journey into business, the power of soft skills, and the true value of making time for mentorship. We explore: The shift from traditional career paths to purpose-driven leadershipWhy humility and listening are critical in managementThe future of American manufacturingHow mentorship changes lives — one conversation at a time Whether you're in the industry or just love stories of people charting their own course, this conversation will inspire you to rethink how you define impact and legacy 🔑 Top Key Quotes from Tyler Marcus🧠 On the Right Way to Implement AI:“AI isn’t something you just shove into a business. It needs to solve a real problem. That’s where the ROI comes in.” 📊 On Data Readiness:“It’s great to want AI, but the real question is: do you even have the data you need? If the ERP is messy, AI can’t fix that.” 🔁 On ROI and Efficiency:“If you improve worker productivity by 10%, what does that mean to the business? That’s the kind of question you need to ask before implementing anything.” ⚠️ On Skipping Steps:“The biggest mistake I see? Companies spend six figures on AI tools—then realize they had no clean data to begin with.” 🧩 On Use-Case First Thinking:“Start with the use case. Understand the data. Then decide if AI is the answer—not the other way around.” 🏭 On Manufacturing Opportunity:“AI is no longer just for Fortune 500s. Mid-sized manufacturers are realizing they can leverage it too—if they have the right strategy.” 📈 On Growing Interest:“We used to work mostly with enterprise. Now, AI is pulling us into mid-market manufacturing because the demand and curiosity are finally there.”

    30 min
  4. 82: Built to Last: Mentorship, Manufacturing, and the Matrix Mindset

    2 JUL

    82: Built to Last: Mentorship, Manufacturing, and the Matrix Mindset

    Lisa Kenning, CEO of Matrix Automation, alongside her powerhouse team: Don Rentz, Greg Millinger, and special guest Scott Walberg. Lisa shares her journey from helping her dad at age 10 to leading a company at the forefront of digital transformation in manufacturing. Together, the group dives into the importance of mentorship, the legacy of family-run businesses, and how lean principles and traceability tech have helped manufacturers achieve near-zero defect rates—even in highly complex, regulated environments. What We Cover:Lisa’s early days at Matrix and the values instilled by her fatherWhy mentorship—both formal and informal—matters, especially for women in manufacturingHow Matrix Automation helps manufacturers reduce defects and improve traceabilityReal-world success stories from automotive and medical device manufacturingWhy lean principles apply across all industries—from bourbon to wheelchairsThe hidden costs of waiting too long to invest in continuous improvementEmpowering frontline operators through smarter systems and dataLearning across generations: Mahjong, magnetism, and mental health Featured Guests:Lisa Kenning, CEO, Matrix AutomationDon Rentz, General Manager, Matrix AutomationGreg Millinger, Technologist & Product ArchitectScott Walberg, President, Lean Innovation, LLC 💡 Key Quotes:“We didn’t buy an off-the-shelf system. We partnered with Matrix and created something custom. That’s why it worked.” – Scott Walberg“My dad started this company to serve the customer better. That value still drives everything we do.” – Lisa Kenning“Whether you're building 1,200 units or 100, the tools are the same. Lean is universal.” – Don Rentz

    34 min
  5. 81:  Harmonizing Sales and Marketing for Manufacturers- with Melanie Varin

    18 JUN

    81:  Harmonizing Sales and Marketing for Manufacturers- with Melanie Varin

    Sponsored By AdCirrus ERP, your trusted partner for cloud ERP solutions. Learn more at adcirruserp.com. Meet Melanie VarinMelanie is an author, business owner, and process consultant with 25+ years in executive leadership, strategic planning, global marketing, national sales management, and quality. She led three business turnarounds in Europe and the USA in Fortune 500 companies. Now she supports clients focused on profitable growth. Her company is aptly called TopLine Results Corporation. Melanie's book – Ignite Topline Growth: How RevOps and Go-To-Market Alignment Spark Success – was written based on her passion for sales and marketing alignment. She’s experienced the superpower that comes with great alignment of go-to-market teams and delights in sharing that wisdom with others. Connect with Melanie! TopLine Results Corporation LinkedIn melanievarin@toplineresults.com  Ignite Topline Growth: How RevOps and Go-To-Market Alignment Spark Success by Melanie Varin Links The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable Highlights 00:00 Introduction and Volunteer Work Discussion 03:27 Introducing the Guest: Melanie Varin 04:30 Melanie's Journey and Insights on Sales-Marketing Alignment 06:24 The Importance of Sales-Marketing Collaboration 06:41 AdCirrus ERP Sponsorship and Further Discussion 17:43 Leadership and Team Development 20:53 Advice for Manufacturers and Growth Strategies 28:16 The Impact of AI and Education 34:58 Closing Remarks and Contact Information Connect with the Broads! Connect with Lori on LinkedIn and visit www.keystoneclick.com for your strategic digital marketing needs!   Connect with Kris on LinkedIn and visit www.genalpha.com for OEM and aftermarket digital solutions! Connect with Erin on LinkedIn!

    37 min
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Three BROADS (Lori Highby, Kris Harrington, and Erin Courtenay) bringing you stories and strategies exploring manufacturing topics that challenge the status quo while laying the foundations for future success. Together with special guests they’ll celebrate what’s working and unpack what is not so YOU can learn, grow, and succeed. The hosts are a BROADcast for Manufacturers are: Kris Harrington | President and COO of GenAlpha Technologies | linkedin.com/in/kristinaharrington Kris Harrington is the President and COO for GenAlpha Technologies. During her time with OEMs in the mining industry, Kris and the other founders of GenAlpha saw a need to find a better way for B2B manufacturers to do business. This led to the development of Equip360, an eCommerce, eCatalog and Analytics solution for manufacturers and distributors who want to grow their business online. Erin Courtenay | VP of Digital Services at Earthling Interactive | linkedin.com/in/erincourtenay Erin Courtenay is VP of Digital Services at Earthling Interactive. Erin loves watching programmers work their magic, opening up the possibilities of the internet to small and medium businesses with powerful websites and custom software. Calling herself a “digital empathy practitioner”, Erin is determined to help clients move thoughtfully and compassionately into their digital future. Lori Highby | Founder & CEO @ Keystone Click | linkedin.com/in/lorihighby Lori Highby is a podcast host, speaker, educator, and founder of Keystone Click, a strategic digital marketing agency. Using her vast multi-industry knowledge – gained from experience and education, She has the ability to see the potential of greatness within the already established good of a business. Through strategic actionable moves, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies to micro-business owners, to achieve their marketing goals.

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