MakingChips

📣 The Boring Bar Newsletter is now on LinkedIn! Tune in each week to find links to all of our episodes in one convenient place and get short introductions to each episode. We'll also routinely share interesting content, manufacturing news, and BIG updates. What else should we include? Let us know in the comments 👇 Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Mike Payne Paul Van Metre

Can you spot the difference? 🔍 Which picture looks more like your shop, or your expectations? 🤔 It is well established and often discussed that one of the root causes of the labor gap is the image manufacturing has had for a long time. So, I tried a little experiment 🔬 Image one AI prompt: “Create an image of Santa in a CNC shop” Image two AI prompt: “Create an image of Santa in a CNC shop that is modern and has implemented advanced manufacturing, automation, etc. “ The difference seemed stark to me. Most days, maybe not all, I am proud to say Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication looks more like image 2. And in my experience, I see a lot more shops that resemble image two than image one. Notice Santa even looks happier in the 2nd photo? 🎅 Image is clearly a problem...even with AI. What can we do to shift this perception? 1️⃣ Showcase Modern Tech → Highlight the use of automation and advanced machinery in your operations. 🚀 (Shoutout to the entire crew at TITANS of CNC MACHINING 2️⃣ Promote Skill Development → Emphasize the opportunities for learning and growth within the industry. 📚 (Shoutout to Titan Gilroy) 3️⃣ Share Success Stories → Tell stories of innovation and progress in manufacturing. 🌟(Shoutout to all my MakingChips buddies and the other amazing podcasts advocating the #MetalworkingNation week in and week out!) 4️⃣ Engage with Youth → Partner with schools to introduce students to modern manufacturing. 👩🏫(Shoutout to Gabriel Kooyers) 5️⃣ Leverage Social Media → Use platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, X, etc to share real-time updates and insights. 💻 (Shoutout to Nush Ahmed!) And shoutout to hundreds more, these were just the first people that popped in my head as I typed those. There is such a lively community working to promote and advocate for the #MetalworkingNation that it would be impossible to hit them all! To bridge the labor/skills gap (or the productivity gap as my friend Al Whatmough describes), we must continue to actively change the discussion around manufacturing...and maybe we need to teach AI what we do too! Let’s paint a new picture of this industry. 🎨 Merry Christmas! 🎄 #BuyTheNumbers #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #MakingChips MakingChips MakingSparks Machine Shop Mastery Lights Out Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose

In this special episode of MakingChips, we reflect on our favorite moments of 2024—the ones that made us laugh, the ones that brought a tear to our eyes, and the ones that remind us why we’re so proud to be part of the manufacturing community. We dive into the topics that matter most: ⚙️ How to transfer tribal knowledge to the next generation ⚙️ Why implementing AI isn’t just an option anymore—it’s a competitive edge for the future ⚙️ How building a culture of care and support can transform your team and your business ⚙️ The incredible ripple effect of manufacturing: creating stability for our country, our communities, and our families ⚙️ The importance of managing vendor relationships for long-term success ⚙️ What it means to lead with integrity, trust, and purpose in a fast-changing world You’ll also get an inside look at each show in the MakingChips family, hear some exciting announcements, and discover what’s next for MakingChips. Let’s celebrate the wins, embrace the challenges, and look ahead to an even brighter future 🍻 What are you grateful for in 2024? What are you looking forward to? We want to know! 👇 Mike Payne Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Jennifer Dubose Matthew Nix Casey Voelker

🚨 A bank—and a banker—shouldn’t be an obstacle that you need to overcome to get what your business needs 👇 They should be a trusted partner in your business’s success  🙌 🤔 Ask yourself: ✅ Does your banker truly understand your business? ✅ Do they know your industry, financial picture, and goals? ✅ Are they actively helping you grow? ✨ As Jace Dawson shares on the latest episode of Buy the Numbers: “The best bankers are the ones cultivating relationships between transactions. They genuinely care about understanding your business.” 👊 A strong relationship with your banker makes securing financing, managing cashflow, and planning for growth easier. Pro Tip: Don’t wait for a crisis to connect with your banker. Build that relationship now! Want to learn how to make your bank work for you? Tune in to Episode #6 of Buy the Numbers for actionable insights. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/dq5EHsUS #BusinessTips #Manufacturing #Cashflow #BankingRelationship #Entrepreneurship #BuyTheNumbersPodcast Mike Payne Nick Goellner Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Paul Van Metre Jennifer Dubose

BIG things happened this week, from celebrating 10 years of MakingChips to three new episodes...read our weekly recap for more 👇 Mike Payne Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Paul Van Metre Nick Goellner Matthew Nix Casey Voelker

🎉 I’m thrilled to share that a new episode of Buy the Numbers that just released this morning! I had the pleasure of sitting down with my good friend and banker, Jace Dawson, to discuss how manufacturing businesses can effectively manage cash flow, secure financing, and grow strategically by leveraging traditional banking solutions. 💼💡 Manufacturing is an incredibly capital-intensive industry, and managing cash flow is not just critical to success—it’s essential for survival! Whether you’re navigating equipment purchases, labor costs, or long payment terms, the right financial strategies can make all the difference for your manufacturing business. 🎧 Tune in on your favorite podcast player and don’t forget to follow, rate, and review if you enjoy it! Your support and feedback mean a lot to me! #BuyTheNumbers #GrowingValue #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #MakingChips MakingChips MakingSparks Machine Shop Mastery Lights Out Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose

Now is the time to revolutionize customer service in manufacturing 🔥 Read the article and let us know—what are you doing so that your service outsells your sales? Paul Van Metre Nick Goellner Mike Payne Jason Zenger 🎤💥

Matthew Bush found a problem and set out to solve it 💪 Hear how his forward-thinking mentality is changing the industry in the latest episode of MakingSparks! Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Nick Goellner Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Mike Payne Paul Van Metre

🎙️ Why should you care about MakingChips turning 10? Because it has played a pivotal role in shaping an industry and countless careers, including mine. Jason Zenger 🎤💥, Nick Goellner, and Jim Carr started something truly special. They created a platform that has not only equipped and inspired countless manufacturing professionals but also fostered a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. I still remember when I first stumbled upon MakingChips. Having just acquired Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication and coming from the private equity world, I was desperate to learn everything I could about the manufacturing industry. I had heard of podcasts but had never listened to one. Enter Jason, Nick, and Jim! I quickly binged about 100 episodes in just a few months, gaining invaluable knowledge about the #MetalworkingNation. Their insights and passion for manufacturing resonated with me, and little did I know, this was the beginning of a journey that would lead me to become part of this amazing family. 🎧 Fast forward a few months, and I was introduced to Paul Van Metre and ProShop ERP on an episode...this lee to a decision that literally changed the trajectory of my career in manufacturing. A few years later, I had the pleasure of meeting Matthew Nix and Casey Voelker. Now, with Jennifer Dubose on the team, the journey continues. The countless people I've met through MakingChips have become some of my closest friends...true friends, not just work colleagues! 💙 Now, I’m thoroughly immersed in all that MakingChips stands for. The knowledge I've gained and the connections I've made through this community have been invaluable. Thank you, Jason, Nick, and Jim, for your vision and dedication. You built not just a podcast, but a home for all of us in the manufacturing sector. Here’s to the next 10 years of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning! 💪 💬 Do you have a favorite moment or episode from MakingChips? 👇 Buy the Numbers Lights Out Machine Shop Mastery MakingSparks #MakingChips #10YearAnniversary #ManufacturingCommunity #Gratitude #Innovation #PodcastFamily #BuyTheNumbers #Finance #Manufacturing #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth

10 Years?! MakingChips has been equipping and inspiring the metalworking nation for 10 years 🎉 👏 🔥 You’ll hear some of the many ways we’re celebrating our 10 years of podcasting over the next few weeks… But let’s celebrate today 🥳 Let us know—what was your favorite moment from the last 10 years of MakingChips? 👇 👉 Bonus points if you go back and listen to something from 2014 😉 Jason Zenger 🎤💥Nick Goellner Mike Payne Paul Van Metre Casey Voelker Matthew Nix #MakingChips #MakingSparks #LightsOut #BuyTheNumbers #MetalworkingNation #ManufacturingLeaders #Manufacturing