The Manufacturers Network

Lisa Ryan
  • 5.0 (14)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Manufacturers’ Network is where manufacturing leaders, plant managers, and industry innovators come to talk straight about what’s working and what’s not, on the shop floor and beyond. Each week, host Lisa Ryan sits down with people who live and breathe this business: operations executives, HR directors, engineers, and founders who are building stronger teams and smarter systems in the face of nonstop change. Listeners gain real-world insights on: • Employee retention and workforce engagement • Automation, AI, and the future of skilled trades • Supply chain and operations leadership • Safety, sustainability, and company culture that lasts If you’re tired of generic “leadership talk” and want practical conversations from people who get it, this podcast is for you. New episodes drop every Monday and are short enough for your commute, sharp enough to shape your week. Subscribe and be part of the conversation that’s connecting manufacturers across industries, one story at a time.

  1. Stop Hiring the Wrong People: A Manufacturer's Guide to Getting It Right with Friddy Hoegner

    APR 13

    Stop Hiring the Wrong People: A Manufacturer's Guide to Getting It Right with Friddy Hoegner

    Lisa Ryan welcomes Friddy Hoegner, founder of Scope Recruiting and a former procurement and supply chain leader. Friddy helps manufacturing and supply chain companies build the teams that actually keep operations moving and he does it from a perspective most recruiters simply don't have: he's lived the job himself. From Global Supply Chain to the Recruiting Desk Friddy's career began in Germany with ABB in a global rotational supply chain program, where he eventually became a global commodity manager following ABB's acquisition of Thomas & Betts. He later moved into a supply chain manager role with a furniture manufacturer in North Carolina before co-founding Scope Recruiting in 2017 with his wife, who had already identified a critical gap in the market: recruiting firms that specialized in supply chain were staffed almost entirely by people with HR backgrounds, not supply chain experience. That insight became Scope's founding principle. Rather than teaching supply chain professionals how to recruit, Friddy and his wife hired people with supply chain backgrounds and taught them the recruiting side of the business. The result is a firm that clients and candidates alike describe as refreshingly different, because the recruiters actually understand what the job requires. The Hiring Mistake That's Killing Retention Friddy's most consistent finding across years of working with manufacturers is that retention problems almost always start with the hiring process; specifically, with a failure to define who you're actually looking for before you start looking. The pattern is predictable: a hiring manager submits a generic job description, different stakeholders have entirely different ideas about what the role should accomplish, and the organization moves forward without alignment. The hiring manager wants procurement expertise. The director of operations wants logistics. No one compared notes. The wrong person gets hired. And months later, the company wonders why they have a turnover problem. Friddy's solution is to work with all stakeholders upfront to build an ideal candidate profile; a detailed picture of the skills, experience, and behaviors the role actually requires, along with a clear definition of what success looks like at 6 months and 12 months. From that profile comes a scorecard, submitted with every candidate, that creates a consistent and less biased basis for evaluation. Why ChatGPT Can't Save a Bad Interview Process Candidates today can walk into any interview with a ChatGPT-prepared answer to every standard question. Friddy argues this makes the ideal candidate profile and structured interview process more important than ever, not less. When you know the job deeply, you can ask follow-up questions that no AI can prepare someone for. The first answer is rehearsed. The second and third follow-up questions reveal whether someone actually knows what they're talking about. This is precisely where Scope's supply chain background pays off. Generic recruiters can be fooled by a polished surface. Recruiters who've done the job can dig into the weeds and expose the gap between what someone says and what they actually know how to do. Hiring for an AI-Disrupted Future As automation and AI reshape manufacturing operations, Friddy cautions against hiring for narrow, specific skill sets that may be obsolete in two to three years. The manufacturers best positioned for the future aren't hiring for what they need today; they're hiring for adaptability, mental aptitude, and a demonstrated willingness to embrace change. Friddy points to a striking example from his time at ABB: a football field-sized factory in Germany producing miniature circuit breakers at the same cost as factories in Indonesia and Argentina, because there were almost no people on the floor. A handful of engineers and maintenance staff. That future, he argues, is closer than most manufacturers realize, which means the people you hire now need to be able to pivot as the environment shifts around them. Competing for Talent When You Can't Win on Salary The majority of Scope's clients are mid-market and family-owned manufacturers who will never outspend a Fortune 500 company on compensation or benefits. Friddy's advice: stop trying to compete on salary and start competing on impact. The candidates most valuable to smaller manufacturers are often the ones who've grown frustrated with corporate bureaucracy: the pace, the layers of approval, the distance from real decision-making. Smaller companies can offer something larger ones genuinely cannot: the ability to talk directly to the owner, change something meaningful in a day, and actually see the results of your work. That's a powerful draw for the right candidates, and it costs nothing to offer. Why the Best Candidates Aren't on Job Boards Friddy is direct about the limits of posting and praying. The top 10% of talent in any field are rarely browsing job boards. Many have never applied for a job in their lives; they get recruited from one role to the next. Reaching them requires dedicated outreach to passive candidates: contacting 100, hearing back from 15 to 20, submitting 3 to 4. It's time-intensive, unglamorous work — but it's how you find the people who are genuinely performing in their current roles rather than actively looking to leave. Red Flags That Signal the Wrong Hire Two interview warning signs Friddy's team watches for consistently: The "my way or the highway" attitude. Candidates who are so confident in how they've done things before that they can't adapt to a new environment. You can hear it in interviews: an overconfidence that signals they'll push their previous playbook regardless of context, without the sensitivity required to build buy-in.The inability to get specific. Candidates who speak in broad strokes about what "we" accomplished but struggle to articulate their own role, the steps they took, or the details of how it actually worked. Behavior-based questions that require specifics will surface this every time. Friddy's Mic-Drop Closing Tip When you've done the work of defining your ideal candidate profile and you find someone who checks every box, don't hesitate. Don't manufacture reasons to interview three more candidates. The right people are rare, and the hiring process itself can cost you them. Actionable Takeaways for Listeners Align all stakeholders before you write a job description. Disconnected expectations between hiring managers and leadership are one of the most common and costly hiring mistakes in manufacturing.Build an ideal candidate profile, not just a job posting. Define what success looks like at 6 and 12 months before you evaluate a single resume.Use a scorecard for every candidate. Consistency reduces bias and helps you make better decisions — especially when interviews are spread over days or weeks.Ask behavior-based questions and follow up twice. The first answer is rehearsed. The follow-up questions reveal whether the knowledge is real.Hire for adaptability, not just current skills. In a rapidly automating environment, the ability to pivot matters more than a narrow set of technical expertise.Lead with impact, not salary, when competing against larger companies. Speed of decision-making, access to leadership, and the ability to drive real change are advantages small manufacturers genuinely have.When you find the right person — move. Connect with Friddy Hoegner: scoperecruiting.com: hiring resources, candidate scorecards, and contact info

    28 min
  2. He Built an 8-Figure Business Sending Handwritten Notes with Rick Elmore

    MAR 30

    He Built an 8-Figure Business Sending Handwritten Notes with Rick Elmore

    Lisa Ryan welcomes Rick Elmore, founder and CEO of Simply Noted, a 100% bootstrapped, handwritten mail automation company powered by patented robotics and AI-driven personalization. A former NFL athlete turned 9-patent tech founder, Rick scaled Simply Noted to $10 million-plus in revenue by combining manufacturing, automation, and disciplined sales systems, all without a single dollar of outside investment. From the NFL to the Factory Floor Rick's path to building a robotics company is anything but conventional. Drafted to the Green Bay Packers in 2011, he played for six teams in three years before facing what he describes as an identity crisis at 25. He took the transferable skills of an elite athlete: grit, discipline, competitiveness, and the willingness to embrace a process, and applied them first to corporate sales, where he became a consistent top 1% performer, and then to entrepreneurship. The spark came during his MBA program when a marketing professor closed a three-hour lecture with a simple observation: handwritten notes get opened 99% of the time and the mailbox is empty. Rick tested the idea with a pen plotter, 500 targeted prospects, and sold $300,000 in six weeks on a $50,000 quota. The entrepreneurial seizure, as he calls it, had arrived. Building What Didn't Exist What followed was eight years of over-engineering everything. Because no off-the-shelf solution existed, Rick had to build it from scratch: robots, software, algorithms, and all. Key milestones include: Going through 14 engineering firms over more than a year, using each proposal to sharpen the next, before committing to a single partnerSpending three years building the technology in chunks, funded entirely by customer revenue, with Thursday-night engineering sessions running from 2 PM to 10 PMDeveloping intelligent handwriting algorithms that understand context — an "E" at the start of a word is drawn differently than an "E" in the middle or at the endBuilding 220 custom handwriting robots in a 10,000 square foot facility, holding real pens, replaced twice a day by human attendantsEarning 9 patents along the way — and openly sharing why he now thinks they may not have been worth it Personalization at Scale: What Simply Noted Actually Does Simply Noted has made handwritten mail as automatable and trackable as email. Clients can start simple: a spreadsheet with first name, last name, and address. or go deep with full CRM integration, LLM-powered personalized messaging, QR code tracking, delivery notifications, and trigger-based workflows. Examples include: A lead moving to "closed" in Salesforce automatically triggers a personalized handwritten thank-you noteA complaint in a ticketing system pulls the complaint data, drafts a custom apology via an LLM, and sends a pen-written note to keep bad reviews offlineE-commerce brands sending anniversary notes on the date of a customer's first purchase — completely automatedQR codes on notes that, when scanned, automatically alert a sales rep via text message to follow up in real time Why the Mailbox Is the Last Uncluttered Channel Ads are ignored. Inboxes are buried. Social feeds are sponsored noise. But the physical mailbox is nearly empty, and something that looks genuinely handwritten stops people cold. Rick shares how a single handwritten note from a window contractor led Lisa's family to refer over $100,000 in business. That story, he says, is exactly why relationship-based businesses: real estate, home services, financial services, nonprofits, e-commerce see the strongest results. The Athlete Mindset Applied to Entrepreneurship Rick draws a direct line between fifteen years of athletic training and his ability to build slowly, stay disciplined, and not quit when things got hard. He pushes back against the social media myth of overnight success, pointing out that most "overnight" stories hide decades of accumulated domain expertise. Compounding success over time, he argues, is as fundamental in business as it is in sport. Actionable Takeaways for Listeners Start with a crawl-walk-run approach. Request a sample kit, test a simple send, then integrate; don't try to fully automate on day one.Relationship building works best consistently over time. A one-time campaign won't move the needle. The businesses getting the most value from Simply Noted are using it month after month, year after year.The mailbox is your competitive advantage. If everyone you compete with is fighting for inbox and ad space, stepping into a nearly empty channel is an asymmetric opportunity.Personalization doesn't require complexity. Even a simple mail merge with first names on a templated message outperforms nearly any digital equivalent in open rates and memorability.Patents are lawsuit coupons. Protect your business by being so difficult to copy that competitors exhaust themselves trying — not by relying on legal protection alone. Connect with Rick Elmore: LinkedIn: Rick Elmore simplynoted.com to request a free sample kit directly from the homepage

    31 min
  3. Beyond the Hype: Making AI Work in Manufacturing with Sebastian Chedal

    FEB 16

    Beyond the Hype: Making AI Work in Manufacturing with Sebastian Chedal

    In this insightful and practical episode, Lisa Ryan welcomes Sebastian Chedal, founder of Fountain City and co-founder of TestFox.ai. Sebastian helps executives implement AI strategies that actually work, focusing on one critical question: How do you join the 20% of AI initiatives that succeed instead of the 80% that fail? With 60% of his work in manufacturing and industrial sectors, Sebastian brings a grounded, practical perspective where implementation matters more than hype. A Journey Through Digital TransformationSebastian's journey began in 1998 when he started Fountain City in the Netherlands. Over more than two decades, his work has evolved through network security, website and app development, creative projects, and ultimately into digital transformation with a focus on AI implementation—predominantly in manufacturing. As a self-described generalist at heart with diverse interests, Sebastian has founded five businesses total (two non-profits that didn't make it), giving him an entrepreneurial track record that includes both successes and failures. This real-world experience informs his practical, results-oriented approach to AI implementation. Fountain City has been the anchor and core of his professional life, adapting and evolving as technology has transformed over the past 26 years. The Catalytic Moment: Why AI Is Different NowSebastian draws a powerful parallel between today's AI landscape and the mid-1990s internet era, when people would ask, "What's a website? I don't need a website. Why would I need a website?" People didn't understand the benefits, how it worked, or how much effort it would take to implement. Like many technological innovations, AI has finally reached a threshold catalytic point where it becomes truly useful, effective, and mainstream. The real breakthrough with large language models (LLMs)—what most people refer to when discussing AI today—is the ability to create qualitative automations, not just deterministic ones. The Fundamental DifferenceDeterministic automation (traditional): If this number is above this number, do this thing—straightforward logic gates we've had for decades. Qualitative automation (AI-powered): Integration of nuanced, context-dependent decisions into automation processes, opening entirely new categories of automation. This capability works at multiple levels: Workflow automation: Eliminating time-consuming, mundane work like data transformation and entry that used to require hours or intern laborStrategic support: Brainstorming, strategic planning, code planning, and design patternsKnowledge work: Tasks requiring judgment, context, and understanding rather than simple calculations The last year in particular has brought proposals and curiosity from people wanting to understand what it actually takes to put these systems in place—but the hype also leads to overestimation of capabilities and underestimation of implementation effort. Becoming AI-Ready: The Foundation for SuccessSebastian outlines several critical dimensions of AI readiness that organizations must address: 1. Management and Strategic VisionThe wrong approach: "We need to make sure 30% of our processes are run by AI by the end of the year." This mandate isn't inspiring and doesn't give teams something meaningful to rally behind, even if it's the directive from stakeholders or management. The right approach: Transform mandates into meaningful vision: "We're bringing in AI to help you do less of the time-consuming work that distracts you from the real work you want to be doing""We're implementing AI to help with knowledge retention and dissemination so the experts' answers reach more people's hands"Focus on removing bottlenecks and freeing up people's time 2. Clear Long-Term Goals with Measurable StepsDefine what you're trying to achieve with AI long-termBreak it down into concrete steps with measurable ROIEnsure each step has an actual, achievable outcomeKeep the focus as narrow as possible—projects that try to do too many things with AI often fail 3. Data InfrastructureStart before you even have a project: Capture as much data as possible everywhere you can: Record callsTranscribe videos and podcastsStore blogs and written contentOrganize existing documentation Without good data, you end up with generic inputs for AI systems. With rich data, you can plug services directly into it and create genuinely useful, customized solutions. Data can be organized, synthesized, or analyzed—but you must have it first. 4. Process Documentation and FormalizationThis is especially critical in manufacturing, where Sebastian frequently sees companies with ambitious AI project ideas but: Processes exist only in someone's headThe CRM system is "Bob's phone with all his contacts"Sales approaches vary completely by individual with no standardizationNo formal documentation of workflows or decision trees The three-tiered AI implementation process: Tier 1 - Data: Identify what data is needed and ensure it's being captured Tier 2 - Process: Document, create, and formalize processes (healthy for business regardless, supporting legacy, growth, and consistency) Tier 3 - AI Integration: Once processes are well-defined (ideally as flowcharts or UML diagrams showing logic trees), integrate the actual LLM components Critical insight: Don't just throw AI everywhere. Use traditional automation for deterministic tasks and AI only where you need qualitative assessment. Using AI for math or deterministic systems can lead to significant issues. Solving the Knowledge Retention CrisisOne of the most popular AI applications Sebastian sees in manufacturing is knowledge retention and dissemination. When you have people who've been with the organization for 20, 30, or 40 years with critical knowledge in their heads—or in "Mikey's CRM on his phone"—losing them creates devastating gaps. Knowledge Capture StrategiesThe right approach depends on where the data currently exists: Email archives: One manufacturing client is leveraging 20-25 years of email conversations, using AI to analyze and create a knowledge springboard Data synthesis: Use AI with structured inputs to generate data, then have subject matter experts review, correct, and essentially train the system on what's accurate Existing documentation: Documentation may already contain answers but be inaccessible or unsearchable—AI can make it queryable and useful Structured interviews: Formal interviews recorded on callsSelf-guided prompts where the expert records video or voice responses on their own scheduleAdapt the method to how each person thinks and works best—make the process as smooth as possible The key mindset shift: AI isn't here to replace jobs—it's here to ensure that the work someone has been doing for 30 years can continue for the next 30 years, preserving institutional knowledge and expertise. Addressing AI Fear and ResistanceSebastian has studied resistance extensively and emphasizes that education is the most important antidote to fear. The less people understand about how AI works and what it does, the more they glorify it and see it as a threat. The more they understand it, the more they realize how to control and use it as a tool—just like a calculator helps a scientist do faster math equations. The Self-Fulfilling ProphecyThe dangerous pattern: People who refuse to learn AI out of fear are actually at the biggest risk of replacement. If you didn't want to use computers when they were being invented because you feared job loss, but then jobs required computer skills, you couldn't get hired—and the thing you feared came...

    29 min
  4. Manufacturing Without Borders: Technology, Culture, and the Future of the Industry with Tony Gunn

    FEB 9

    Manufacturing Without Borders: Technology, Culture, and the Future of the Industry with Tony Gunn

    In this energetic and information-packed episode, Lisa Ryan welcomes Tony Gunn, who leads global operations at his new venture TGM Global Services after a successful five-year run with MTD CNC. Tony has spent two decades on shop floors and in boardrooms around the world, traveling approximately 300 days a year to over 60 countries, giving him an unparalleled front-row seat to the technologies, trends, and people shaping modern manufacturing. Tony shares his remarkable journey from mopping floors on weekends for minimum wage and learning to use basic presses, to mastering CNC machining through the mentorship of industry veterans who taught him line-by-line programming. His story exemplifies the power of workplace mentorship and the importance of taking skilled workers under your wing—lessons that continue to guide his mission today. The Smartest Person in the RoomTony lives by a powerful principle: "If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room." He thrives on being the "dumbest person in the room," learning from experts across the manufacturing spectrum—from garage shops with three or four machines to CEOs of the world's largest manufacturing companies. This humility and hunger for knowledge informs everything he does in media and content creation. His approach to sharing stories and technology stems from remembering his own starting point—when he was just learning to turn raw material into something of value. He's passionate about explaining concepts at a level that empowers everyone, avoiding the industry jargon and acronyms that can leave people behind. He never forgets the experts who gave their time to an amateur, and now pays that forward by putting others under his wing. The Technology Challenge: Keeping Up When It's Your JobTony candidly admits that even though it's his full-time job to know as much about the manufacturing industry as possible and share it with as many people as he can, he still can't keep up with how fast everything is moving. He can only imagine how difficult it must be for shop owners and operators whose day-to-day activities involve actually running their businesses. From a global perspective, Tony sees shops still running machines that are 15, 20, 30, even 40 years old—machines that run good parts but can't complete a part on one machine, requiring five machines and much longer cycle times compared to modern technology. He draws a powerful contrast from his visit to the American Precision Museum in Vermont: 200 years ago, they were making micron parts, but it took two weeks. Today, it takes two minutes. The Labor Shortage and Automation ImperativeThe conversation centers on what manufacturers are most hungry to understand and solve right now. Tony identifies the labor shortage as a critical issue that companies are trying to address through multiple strategies: Inspiring the next generation through STEM - While crucial, this is years in the making and can't be the only solution Adapting technology in the midterm - Companies must figure out which technologies are most affordable and provide the best ROI to minimize labor shortages while competing globally Various forms of automation - From traditional robots and cobots to pallet systems and bar feeds, companies are finding ways to have one machinist run 10 machines instead of one, with processes running 24/7 Digital transformation - Tools like Datanomics and Fulcrum that take traditionally tribal knowledge and display it on screens, giving operators and management real-time visibility into what's actually happening on the shop floor—eliminating the need for all-day meetings filled with 80% truths and 20% fabrication Tony emphasizes that knowing actual uptime, real capabilities, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement allows companies to create better platforms for making quality products cost-effectively in a globally competitive market. While there's conversation about reshoring and nearshoring, manufacturing will always be global, and U.S. manufacturers must figure out how to compete with regions that can mass-produce with millions or billions of people ready to work. The ROI Question: Starting a Shop TodayWhen asked about the smartest ROI for shops just getting started, Tony acknowledges this is complex because every situation is different—whether you're an expert machinist starting your own shop or someone still learning, whether you're doing production runs or one-off jobs, what parts you're making, and your size constraints all matter. However, he shares powerful insights from his friends at EBITDA Growth Systems about "wizards on the machine"—highly skilled machinists who get frustrated feeling underpaid or undervalued, quit to start their own shops, and discover they can make any part imaginable but struggle with the front end and back end of business. The front end challenge: Understanding how to quote properly. Many new shop owners underquote to win more bids, working 100-hour weeks without making profit because they're selling themselves short. The back end challenge: Communication, customer service, and lead times. You can make a mistake on a part if you communicate two or three days in advance—that communication keeps clients. But calling the day of delivery saying you're a week behind will lose clients fast. Tony's theoretical approach if he were starting a shop today? Go completely automated with one or two people, where machines essentially run themselves—even automated tool loading/unloading and part removal. Take on the debt believing in yourself, invest in the quickest ROI (keeping machines running and chips flying), and either sell what you need to sell or create your own proprietary part to avoid constant bidding. Keep those spindles turning to create profitability. Culture: More Than Just MoneyWhen discussing how to create a culture where machinists don't want to leave, Tony delivers a nuanced and honest perspective. If you poll disgruntled employees about why they're unhappy, you'll get 10% in dozens of different categories—it's not one simple answer. While most people say "pay them more," Tony has been paid more and wasn't happy, so money isn't everything. Yes, most machinists deserve more money. Yes, the gap between shop floor workers and CEOs has increased dramatically. But at the end of the day, Tony believes most people are happiest when they: Feel they have purpose in their livesFeel wanted and desired in their companyKnow what they bring to the table is valuedFeel appreciated when they go to work These things honor the human soul more than just money. Money and materialistic things come and go—money doesn't buy happiness, though it can buy things that make us happy. But in the end, those are still just things. Tony suggests bringing back elements like: Offering respect and appreciationCompetitive pay that allows people to care for familiesRetirement benefits and partnerships that many companies have droppedClean air and proper filtration in shopsReasonable break timesPurpose and meaning in daily work Every person wants something different—some just want breathable air and a good lunch sometimes. But the easiest common denominators are having purpose in life and having enough money to live comfortably. Global Practices: What the U.S. Should AdoptHaving visited more than 60 countries, Tony has powerful insights into what U.S. manufacturers should be paying attention to globally. Brazil's SENAI SystemTony recently visited Brazil and was blown away by SENAI, a company in business since 1942 that has trained over 80 million students (putting through about 2.8 million per year). They have 60-80 locations throughout the country, and for rural areas, they send buses and boats to provide 6-9 month trainings. The game-changing aspect: It's machine shop funded. One percent of the profit that every shop in the country makes goes toward the education system, so students get free manufacturing education. They have facilities of 500,000 square meters with hundreds of the best machines available. Location specialization: Many locations are designated based on what's being made in that area. Brazil is known for aerospace, so certain areas of São Paulo focus completely on training kids for aerospace parts. Other sections focus on mold and die, plastic injection, or medical devices—similar to Switzerland's regional specialization in watches, medical devices, etc. The result: No labor shortage. No skills gap. Modern Technology in EducationTony emphasizes a critical difference between many U.S. trade schools and international programs: while manual machining has value for understanding machine vibration and what can/can't be programmed, many

    34 min
  5. Tradition Meets Discovery: Strategic Innovation for Manufacturers with Bruce Vojak

    FEB 2

    Tradition Meets Discovery: Strategic Innovation for Manufacturers with Bruce Vojak

    In this thought-provoking episode, Lisa Ryan welcomes Bruce Vojak, a leading authority on strategic innovation with a unique combination of deep and broad experience. As a business advisor, board member, senior fellow with The Conference Board, and author of two highly regarded books on innovation published by Stanford University Press, Bruce helps mature companies in mature industries survive and thrive in an increasingly volatile, complex, and ambiguous world. Bruce shares his journey from engineer and techie to innovation strategist, sparked by his fascination with remarkable innovators—not their processes or cultures, but the people themselves. This curiosity led him to decades of research exploring the question: "How do they know what to do?" His work focuses specifically on mature manufacturing companies, making his insights particularly relevant for today's industrial leaders. What Is Innovation?Bruce clarifies a common misconception: innovation isn't just creativity or something new—it must have financial impact and marketplace value. While many manufacturers focus on lean implementations, Six Sigma, or equipment upgrades, true innovation changes the basis of competition in an industry. It creates advantages or protects against disadvantages in transformative ways. He illustrates this with compelling examples: The Carrot Evolution: From knife peeling to safety peelers, then to Oxo's ergonomic design and finally pre-peeled baby carrots that increased overall consumptionMoneyball: How the Oakland Athletics revolutionized baseball team optimization using sabermetrics instead of gut feelings The lesson? Innovation exists in every industry, you just need to start looking for it by asking questions you didn't think you needed to ask. The Greatest Risk: Not InnovatingFor manufacturers at the maturity stage of their lifecycle, the biggest danger is retreating to familiar ways of doing things without questioning unarticulated assumptions. Bruce emphasizes that the real risk isn't making big innovation investments—it's failing to ask the right questions at all. He frames innovation investment through two financial lenses: Insurance: Protection against being blindsided by market changesOptions: Opportunities for future growth beyond the "bond-like" steady returns of optimized manufacturing operations Both require relatively small initial investments, often just time and attention, but provide critical protection and opportunity. Navigating Rapid Technological ChangeWith AI and other technologies transforming business at lightning speed, Bruce advises companies to focus on three critical elements: Internal Alignment: Both strategic and tacticalStrategic: Are we really going to invest in innovation?Tactical: What about this specific idea or problem?Alignment failures can derail innovation even at individual contributor levelsSimple Processes: Especially for small and mid-sized companiesDon't need elaborate systemsFocus on incremental, poker-like betsEmphasize learning cycles over "failing fast"Innovation Exemplars: People who see patterns before othersNot just idea generators, but individuals who navigate organizations to get buy-inExamples include Tom Osborne at Procter & Gamble (feminine hygiene products) and Nancy Doss (Oil of Olay transformation)Often "the most important people you've never heard of"—not always the CEO or owner Creating Innovation-Friendly CultureBruce and Lisa explore the tension between fear of change and the need for psychological safety. Key insights include: Learning Over Failing: Reframe "fail fast" as "learn quickly"—small bets teach you about applications and opportunities you'd never considerBridging Generations: Combine the "tradition" of experienced workers with the "tradition" of digital-native younger employees to unlock discovery potentialManaging Resistance: Sometimes alignment requires marginalizing those who simply won't get on board, but winning people over winsomely should always be the first approach The conversation emphasizes that even in an automated, technology-driven world, people and culture remain at the heart of successful innovation. Real-World Innovation ExamplesBruce shares powerful examples of innovation exemplars in action: West Tech Automation Solutions: A mid-sized manufacturer that accepted a radical request to collaborate with competitors in a virtual room, creating new business models and ongoing revenue streamsSteve Jobs and Apple: Taking off-the-shelf technology and transforming it through design perspective and deep understanding of human needs These examples prove that you don't need to be a Silicon Valley entrepreneur to innovate—mature manufacturers can achieve remarkable results by putting their minds to it. Getting Started with InnovationBruce's approach begins with assessment: Start with informal confidential conversations to discuss your situationConduct formal assessments with leadership teams or functional groups to identify hangups and efficienciesWork through workshops and ongoing advisory relationshipsFocus on both owners/presidents and the innovation exemplars within the organization His guarantee? You'll learn whether there's something to act on or defend against—delivering both the "option" for growth and "insurance" against disruption. Actionable Takeaways for ListenersRedefine Innovation for Your Organization Move beyond incremental improvements like lean and Six Sigma. Ask: What could change the basis of competition in our industry? What advantages can we create or disadvantages can we avoid?Question Your Assumptions Identify and challenge your unarticulated assumptions. Ask questions you didn't think you needed to ask—that's where breakthrough opportunities hide.Start with Small Bets Don't make massive innovation investments. Use incremental, poker-like bets that minimize risk while maximizing learning opportunities.Find Your Innovation Exemplars Identify the people in your organization who see patterns before others and can navigate the company to get ideas implemented. They're often not in the C-suite.Secure Strategic and Tactical Alignment Get clear organizational commitment at two levels: (a) Will we invest in innovation at all? and (b) What about this specific idea? Address misalignment quickly and directly.Create Learning Cycles, Not Failure Cycles Replace "fail fast" with "learn quickly." Each small experiment should teach you something valuable, even if the original hypothesis doesn't pan out.li...

    24 min
  6. Innovation, AI, and the Future of Manufacturing with Joshua Tarbutton

    JAN 26

    Innovation, AI, and the Future of Manufacturing with Joshua Tarbutton

    In this insightful episode, Lisa Ryan welcomes Dr. Joshua Tarbutton—Chairman and Chief Innovator at Bravo Team, an engineering firm specializing in custom automation solutions for manufacturers facing tough challenges. The conversation tracks Joshua Tarbutton's journey from childhood curiosity with Light Brights and exposure to structural engineering via his father, through military service, academia, and ultimately into entrepreneurship and innovation in manufacturing. The episode tackles the urgent push for automation in manufacturing, driven by rising costs, supply chain instability, and workforce challenges. Joshua Tarbutton reflects on how fear and control can impede leadership decisions, and points out the importance of moving beyond blame and understanding the deeper social and economic forces at play. A major theme is reskilling the workforce in response to automation. Joshua Tarbutton highlights the pressures at the lower end of the labor pool—jobs that are tough to automate and have high turnover—and notes the necessity of upskilling those in roles most likely to be displaced by technology. He emphasizes a need for earlier cultivation of manufacturing interest and skills in young people, advocating for more proactive outreach beyond "manufacturing month." For companies lacking robust R&D departments, Joshua Tarbutton suggests an experiment-focused, risk-decreasing approach—start small, test hypotheses, and find the right experts to guide implementation. He cautions leaders to seek out genuinely knowledgeable advisors rather than relying solely on titles. AI and large language models are discussed as powerful tools for manufacturers at every scale. Joshua Tarbutton sees AI as both a knowledge accelerator and a supportive "smart friend," especially for leadership looking to execute better and maintain margins. Both speakers explore workplace culture, emphasizing that even in an automated world, people and teams remain the heart of innovation. Creating environments where it's safe to fail and learn, and supporting open, honest communication across teams and departments, are crucial for successful transformation. Joshua Tarbutton closes by outlining Bravo Team's approach: solving tough, high-value problems for clients through clever engineering and collaboration, supporting innovation from machine design to full product development. Actionable Takeaways for ListenersAutomate Strategically: Don't rush into automation out of fear—carefully assess timing, ROI, and reskill your workforce to maximize benefit and minimize disruption.Invest in People Early: Start cultivating interest and skill in manufacturing at a young age. Partner with schools and programs for real hands-on exposure beyond industry holidays.De-Risk Innovation: Before committing big budgets, run small, targeted experiments to prove out new ideas. This minimizes financial and technical risk in automation and R&D projects.Find the Right Experts: The right solutions depend on the right people, not just credentials. Seek out advisors and partners who prioritize transparency and a proven track record.Leverage AI for Competitive Edge: Use AI and language models to access knowledge, troubleshoot challenges, and support leadership decisions. Treat AI as a resource for innovation and execution.Prioritize Workplace Culture: Foster psychological safety for your teams to test, fail, and learn. Support open communication between financial and technical roles to keep projects aligned and teams motivated.Ownership and Honest Conversations: Break down silos and create space for honest dialogue around budgets, strategy, and goals—even if this means rethinking how information is shared across your organization.Maintain Clarity in Project Management: Set clear definitions of success and checkpoints for teams. Celebrate progress and create regular "vistas" so employees feel recognized and motivated. Connect with Bravo TeamWant to learn more or see if Bravo Team can help your business tackle tough challenges? Visit Bravo Team Tech for videos and case studies, check out Joshua Tarbutton's personal website, or explore innovations like BravoWalk, the team's engineered dog collar solution. For more episodes, insights, and actionable strategies, stay tuned to the Manufacturers Network Podcast with Lisa Ryan.

    32 min
  7. From Data to Drive: Why People, Not Tech, Will Power Manufacturing’s Next Leap with Vince Sassano

    JAN 19

    From Data to Drive: Why People, Not Tech, Will Power Manufacturing’s Next Leap with Vince Sassano

    Manufacturing’s next big leap won’t come from machines, it’ll come from mindset. In this episode of The Manufacturers Network, Lisa Ryan talks with Vince Sassano, President of Strategic Performance Company and creator of Proto Track, about how manufacturers can build trust in data, connect generations, and drive meaningful change on the shop floor. With more than 30 years at the intersection of technology and operations, Vince explains how AI, automation, and analytics only work when people do. He shares what happens when leaders stop treating digital transformation like a software install and start treating it like a human one. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the real barrier to AI adoption isn’t tech—it’s fear of losing control.How generational mindsets shape how fast teams adapt to change.What it takes to move from a 10% gain in productivity to 30%—and why that leap starts with culture.The difference between data and trusted data, and why both matter.How to connect culture to hard metrics like throughput, retention, and profit.Why turnover is now a more critical KPI than margin. Action Steps for Manufacturers: Lead with people. Culture drives capability; tech follows.Clarify KPIs. Make sure everyone—from operators to execs—knows what success looks like.Build trust in data. Transparency beats dashboards.Invest in cross-training. Multi-skilled teams adapt faster than machines.Reframe “productivity.” Faster isn’t better unless it’s smarter. Listen now to learn why the future of manufacturing belongs to leaders who combine data discipline with human courage.

    22 min
  8. Unlocking Sales Efficiency & Process Alignment with Moustafa Moursy

    JAN 12

    Unlocking Sales Efficiency & Process Alignment with Moustafa Moursy

    In this episode, Lisa Ryan sits down with Moustafa Moursy, founder of Push Analytics and a top-tier HubSpot agency partner, to break down what’s really holding manufacturers back from operational excellence, and how to fix it. Drawing on his hands-on manufacturing background and expertise in sales and project management, Moustafa Moursy reveals the most common process traps, why data-driven operations matter, and how aligning tools with culture can give your business a serious edge. Key Topics Covered: - Why manufacturing companies must treat their business processes like their product lines—with clear inputs, outputs, and controls - The real culprit behind ineffective sales processes (hint: it’s not just paperwork or CRM overload!) - How to strike the perfect balance between over-complicating and under-complicating systems, especially for sales teams - The importance of stakeholder involvement when designing or revamping business processes - Ways successful manufacturers build robust supply and value chain relationships - The most overlooked opportunities for digital transformation in manufacturing - How manufacturers routinely leave money on the table—and simple strategies to capture it - Why culture, not just technology, is crucial for real transformation Actionable Takeaways: 1. Map Your Processes First: Don’t jump straight to adopting new tools; start by zooming out and mapping your current workflows, obstacles, and business goals. 2. Engage Key Stakeholders: Involve the people actually using the system, especially sales reps, in the design and refinement of your processes to drive buy-in and better results. 3. Find Your CRM Sweet Spot: Focus on the CRM features that directly support your goals—instead of chasing 100% utilization, identify the tools your team really needs. 4. Follow Up Relentlessly: Make quoting and order follow-up a non-negotiable habit; most revenue leaks happen because opportunities fall between the cracks. 5. Build Process-Centric Culture: Remember, the best technology won’t help unless your team is trained, supported, and committed to continuous process improvement. 6. Connect Sales and Production: Create seamless handoffs between sales and post-sales/project management to prevent friction and ensure great customer experiences. Resources & Contact: To learn more or connect with Moustafa Moursy Resources & Contact: To learn more or connect with Moustafa Moursy and the Push Analytics team, email hello@pushanalytics.com and mention The Manufacturers Network Podcast. Tune in and discover how process alignment and smart technology adoption can drive your manufacturing business forward—one actionable step at a time!and the Push Analytics team, email hello@pushanalytics.com and mention The Manufacturers Network Podcast.

    26 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The Manufacturers’ Network is where manufacturing leaders, plant managers, and industry innovators come to talk straight about what’s working and what’s not, on the shop floor and beyond. Each week, host Lisa Ryan sits down with people who live and breathe this business: operations executives, HR directors, engineers, and founders who are building stronger teams and smarter systems in the face of nonstop change. Listeners gain real-world insights on: • Employee retention and workforce engagement • Automation, AI, and the future of skilled trades • Supply chain and operations leadership • Safety, sustainability, and company culture that lasts If you’re tired of generic “leadership talk” and want practical conversations from people who get it, this podcast is for you. New episodes drop every Monday and are short enough for your commute, sharp enough to shape your week. Subscribe and be part of the conversation that’s connecting manufacturers across industries, one story at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Ryan
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    210
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Lisa Ryan
  • Show Website
    The Manufacturers Network