Workforce 4.0 Ann K. Wyatt

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 manufacturing scene, the evolution and digitalization of manufacturing and the role of AI in the future of our favorite industry sector.
In This Episode:
-03:27 The Evolution of Manufacturing and Technology
-07:20 Teaching and Networking in Manufacturing
-11:05 Digitization in Manufacturing: The Future is Now
-20:18 The Evolution of Automation Systems
-21:24 Exploring the Differences: Automation vs. Robotics
-22:53 AI in Manufacturing: Current and Future Applications
-28:02 Industrial Automation and Robotics: Practical Implementations
-31:46 Balancing Standardization and Innovation
More About Bryan Bauw:
Bryan Bauw is Chief Operating Officer of Pico MES, a software startup that helps manufacturers improve their productivity. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Alabama and a Strategic Advisor to venture-backed manufacturing startups. Bryan has nearly two decades of experience leading advanced manufacturing teams and product development in high-growth businesses, startups and VC investments.
Prior to joining Pico MES, Bryan was Head of Manufacturing and Partner at Prime Movers Lab, Director of Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and Technology and General Manager at Collins Aerospace and held various manufacturing and business roles at GKN Aerospace. To learn more about Bryan, connect with him here.
The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:
Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

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 diversity in manufacturing, and the challenges of competing with other industries for talent. They also touch on the significance of community engagement and educating the younger generation about manufacturing careers. Lori highlights insights from her book, 'Tradition Meets Transformation,' and her efforts to raise awareness about the critical state of manufacturing in the U.S.
In This Episode:
-08:09 Challenges in Manufacturing and HR Integration
-14:07 Succession Planning in Manufacturing
-28:19 The Impact of Manufacturing on Local Economies
-30:27 Challenges in the Manufacturing Sector
-37:53 Building a Better Company Culture
-44:13 Promoting Diversity in Manufacturing
-49:20 Conclusion and Ways to Connect
More About Laurie Harbour
Throughout her distinguished career, Laurie has been instrumental in guiding companies through periods of transformation, leveraging her expertise in lean manufacturing, strategic planning, and organizational development to drive sustainable growth and competitiveness. Her insights into the evolving landscape of workforce management in the era of Industry 4.0 offer invaluable perspectives for businesses navigating the complexities of modern manufacturing. To date, Laurie is the Principal of Wipfli. To learn more about Laurie, connect with her here.
The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:
Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

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 training platform that is making manufacturing skills accessible for all. We also deep dive into Peter's love for music and physics and how that has shaped his concept of the evolution of the manufacturing workforce.
In This Episode:
-Peter shares his thoughts on how technology has impacted our daily lives and how the evolution of technology in manufacturing is becoming more embedded into the way that we work (~timestamp 13:05)
-Peter shares his own story of how he was inspired by video learning throughout his college career and how he hopes that his shared experience impacts hands on learners of the manufacturing workforce (~timestamp 18:31)
-Peter talks more in depth about the shrinking labor pool in manufacturing and how short term training solutions can provide a pathway for a more sustainable manufacturing workforce and local economies (~timestamp 27:59)
More About Peter:
Peter Costa is the CEO and co-founder of Baltu Technologies. He is a seasoned tech entrepreneur with a passion for employing technology to solve real-world problems. Early on he was exposed to computers, science, and technology, thanks to his father's work in designing and building supercomputers. This early immersion has shaped his professional pursuits and fostered a lifelong passion for innovation. At Baltu Technologies, Peter merges his diverse experiences to accelerate the development of a skilled workforce. As a recognized thought leader, Peter has spoken at conferences across the United States, Abu Dhabi, and China. Throughout his career, Peter's love for building things has evolved into a mission to create technological solutions that better people's lives, making him a driving force in using entrepreneurship and technology to help drive positive social impact. Connect and learn more about Peter here.
The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:
Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

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 building a solid foundation for your workforce. Paul also shares more with host, Ann Wyatt, on what it means to be BOLD in manufacturing and how we can all make positive changes every day.
In This Episode:
- Paul shares how design thinking has become a must have business tool for not only creating a more efficient business, but also a more empowered and successful workforce (~timestamp 7:29)
- Paul shares his own thoughts on how both individuals and businesses can be bold in manufacturing and how we can make incremental impacts through baby steps (~timestamp 12:44)
-Paul talks in depth about the power of influence and how everyone in leadership is an industry influencer. He also shares his own tips on what successful influencing looks like and how it impacts your company culture (~timestamp 22:50)
More About Paul:
Paul believes that every product, every service, every experience should be purposeful and add value to customers. That’s why he works with leaders at B2B manufacturing companies to help them focus and advocate for customers. Through the course of his career, Paul has discovered that the path to better innovation is through strong product management. Paul helps organizations understand the benefit of product management, add the role in their processes, and help professionally develop product managers to a higher standard of excellence. Maximizing your product management capabilities means maximizing the value you deliver customers through more purposeful innovation. Connect with Paul directly here to learn more.
The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:
Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

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. Most importantly, Jim offers real suggestions on how companies can improve their culture.
In This Episode:
-We learn more about how Jim helps companies shift their culture mindset and adopt healthy habits to create healthy cultures (~timestamp 16:56)
-Jim shares how he works with his clients directly in order to create metrics for healthy and financially stable cultures (~timestamp 19:14)
-Jim talks in depth on the value of transparency and how leading conversations through transparency have had positive effects on his client's employees (~27:43)
More About Jim:
In the manufacturing world, Jim is your go-to guy for turning 'just okay' workplaces into environments where everyone thrives. His journey began over 20 years ago in the skilled trades. Today, as the founder of TCO Strategies, he's all about helping manufacturers craft teams that don't just function but excel. Jim also hosts the very popular podcast, Manufacturing Culture Podcast. Learn more and connect with Jim here.
The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:
Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

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 episode, join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with ShopFloor Coffee CoFounders, Amy Teal and Mike Franz to hear more about their passion for workforce development, how technology is already impacting the lives of our younger generations and how we can all make an impact in creating a better manufacturing future.
In This Episode:
-As an industry veteran of 3D printing, Amy gives us her thoughts on how 3D printing and additive manufacturing are going to continue to be a huge part of the future of manufacturing (~timestamp 9:18)
-Amy and Mike talk in depth on the importance of their mission for ShopFloor Coffee and how they are continuing to partner with agencies like SkillsUSA, NCATC and Skill Up Arizona (~timestamp 15:17)
-Amy and Mike share their thoughts on how we're innovating the way that we train our manufacturing workforce and how that is very different than years past (~timestamp 25:08)
More About ShopFloor Coffee:
"Not your regular coffee cult." At ShopFloor Coffee, we're more than just a coffee brand; we're on a mission to make a real impact in the world of manufacturing education. Our passion is to bridge the gap between industry needs and education, empowering the next generation of skilled professionals. Every cup you enjoy with us contributes to this mission. A portion of our proceeds is dedicated to supporting organizations committed to advancing manufacturing education. Together, we're shaping the future of this industry through knowledge, skills, and opportunity. Join us in this journey! Connect with our community of coffee lovers who are equally passionate about education and industry growth. Together, we can brew success, one sip at a time. To learn more visit ShopFloor Coffee. Or, connect with Amy Teal and Mike Franz directly.
The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:
Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.