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my TRUE POSITION
Manufacturing Professionals will receive immediate and actionable insight into high-level issues of running a small to mid-sized manufacturing company. All communicated in an easy-to-digest 20 minutes by your expert podcaster and second-generation business owner, Jim Carr.
Episodes
my TRUE POSITIONKeeping the Conditions Healthy on the Shop Floor
Listen, maintaining a healthy machine shop environment offers dual benefits for businesses. First, it boosts efficiency by preventing accidents, optimizing…
my TRUE POSITIONAre You Ready to Retire?
Is retirement in your future? Are you sure this is something you want to do? What are the circumstances around your decision? Are you financially able to…
my TRUE POSITIONNew Year, New Goals
Are you ready for the New Year? Ready to lose some weight, get back in the gym, be a better spouse, increase sales by 50%, get better efficiency from your…
my TRUE POSITIONGaining Extreme Value From Your MEP
Are you moving your facility into a larger facility and want advice on how to set it up? How about looking for professional services to grow your business? In…
my TRUE POSITIONSafety on the Shop Floor: Why It's Important
Ever have a near-miss in your shop? Ever have to file a Workers Compensation claim? It's not fun and can really affect your insurance rating. In this episode…
my TRUE POSITIONWe're Only Quoting the Job Not Machining It
Quoting a machined part isn't easy, you can spend too much time and still get it wrong. In this episode I'll share some tips on what I've learned quoting jobs…
my TRUE POSITIONCreating Data Packages for an AS9100 Machine Shop
Are you thinking about implementing AS9100 to ramp up your brand and take your business to the next level? Think it's easy to create and assemble an AS9102…
my TRUE POSITIONEmployment Agreements: Why They're Important
Think Employment Agreements are silly? Don't think they're necessary for your small business? Just more work for you? In this episode of my TRUE POSITION I…
my TRUE POSITIONBuying Equipment on Speculation: Right or Wrong?
Ever wonder WHEN is the right time to buy new machinery? Are you hearing from your customer's that significant new business is in the queue? Are you debating…
my TRUE POSITIONWriting a Resume 101 and Tips on Interviewing
Are you ready for a new career? Been some time since you updated your resume? On this episode I share with you what I, and other HR personnel look for on a…
my TRUE POSITIONMarketing for Manufacturers: It's Not All Smoke and Mirrors
Have your marketing efforts faded? Still print paper line cards to prospect? Have you reviewed your digital media presence and how is Artificial Intelligence…
my TRUE POSITIONScaling Your Business: Risk vs. Reward
Is the thought of tripling your sales tripling your blood pressure? Are you worried about the financial impact of growing your business? How about the HR…
my TRUE POSITIONManaging the EBITDA
Not excited about digging into the numbers? Finance not your thing? Do you know what your gross margin is? Or, how about your EBITDA? On this episode of my…
my TRUE POSITIONManufacturing Leaders Leading
Where is the manufacturing industry going? It certainly is a much smaller community of late. Think you want to give back but don't think you're "educated"…
my TRUE POSITIONOptimizing Value-Add Services From Your Vendors
Are you cutting your bar stock in house? Think you're saving money? How about water jet, laser or routing services to remove the material closer to a near-net…
my TRUE POSITIONImplementing EOS With an Implementer
Is your business flat? Feeling burnt out? Have you lost your fire? Don't worry, it's a common thing for business executives and owners. On this episode I chat…
my TRUE POSITIONCrafting a Culture for Your Machine Shop
What are Core Values? How about Mission and Vision Statements? Do you really need them to lead a successful business or is it just all smoke and mirrors? Well…
my TRUE POSITIONAS9100 Certification: Is It Worth It?
Does AS9100 credentialing bring in more business? What is the true cost for implementation? Does your company have the infrastructure to maintain the certs? Is…
my TRUE POSITIONRecession Blues: Are We or Aren't We?
Some people say we're in a recession, some are saying we're heading for one and others are having record growth. What is up with this economy? On this episode…
my TRUE POSITIONDPAs Rated Purchase Orders: Risky Business?
Is your company ITAR compliant? Do you have AS9100 credentialing? Do you do Department of Defense Work? Are you accepting DPAs-rated Purchase Orders and do you…
my TRUE POSITIONIndustrial Real Estate: Lessons Learned
Ready to move your machine shop? Are you going to buy or lease? How many square feet do you think you need? How many docks? What are the restrictions for…
my TRUE POSITIONI Was Wrong: 5 Axis CNC Machining Rocks
Still waiting to buy a 5 axis machine? Is it the cost that scares you? Or the technology upgrade? Are you concerned you won't find someone to run it or is it a…
my TRUE POSITIONImplementing Margin Time for Yourself
Are you feeling overworked? Feeling uninspired? Has your energy level diminished and you're just not "into" your job lately? Don't worry, as hurried business…
my TRUE POSITIONNurturing Future Champions in Manufacturing
Does the thought of six figure debt for an education stress you out? Are you looking for a career that can offer fast advancement based on performance? How…
my TRUE POSITIONNepotism or Nonsense?
Are you working at a company with multiple family members? Do you feel like they're getting preferential treatment? Are they abusing their privilege? On this…
my TRUE POSITIONWar Room Meetings: Do They Help or Hinder?
Do you like process and planning? Are you afraid of change? Does your team collaborate well? Well War Room meetings might be just the ticket for your company.
my TRUE POSITIONTraction With Traction: How We Blasted Off!
Are you serious about growing your business? Are you ready for change? Do you want to run your company on just one operating system? Well this week on my TRUE…
my TRUE POSITIONLosing a Multi-Million Dollar Customer Over a Social Post
Do you have signed NDAs in place with your customers? Do you actually read them? Do you really know what you're signing or maybe you're not even signing them…
my TRUE POSITIONBIG(er) Manufacturing Associations: What's the Difference?
In a series of episodes highlighting different manufacturing associations this week we talk to Mark Denzler, the President and CEO of Illinois Manufacturers'…
my TRUE POSITIONThe Effectiveness of Performance Reviews
Do you think Annual Employee Performance Reviews are effective? What about six in the first year? On this episode of my TRUE POSITION I share my experiences…
my TRUE POSITIONWhat Is Pay by the Minute? Changing an Old School Philosophy
Are you still using an old-school payroll management system? Well this week on my TRUE POSITION I share my experiences moving to a Pay by the Minute pay system…
my TRUE POSITIONHow to Get the Most of Your Manufacturing Association
Do you think you don't have time to be involved in an Association? Is there any value? What about the ROI? In this episode I'm going to give you those answers.
my TRUE POSITIONManufacturing Success: Two Young Sisters Show Us How to Run a Business After a Loss
What would you do if suddenly, within one day, were thrown into a new role like running the business? One day you're an employee and the next day the boss -…
my TRUE POSITIONWhat to Look for When Choosing and Joining a Manufacturing Association
Have you ever wondered what association will bring you the biggest ROI? On this episode I interview my friend Kathly Gilmore, President of the Valley…
my TRUE POSITIONBuying a Machine Shop: Desirable or Detrimental?
If you've ever dreamed of buying a machine shop, then this episode will be just the ticket for you. I interviewed Bill Angsten of ANPEC Industries. Bill shares…
my TRUE POSITIONManufacturing: Tall Tales From the Shop Floor
If you're like me you know the pains of growing up in a small, closely-held manufacturing company. Where there is no accountability, process or guardrails. You…
my TRUE POSITIONBeware of the Opportunist
Are you at a networking event and someone is overly friendly? Are they invading your space and immediately your best friend? Do they try and make you feel good…
my TRUE POSITIONWhy Good Communication Is Key
Are you scared of communicating? Does the thought of telling a vendor their quality is awful? How about telling a customer that you quoted the job incorrectly…
my TRUE POSITIONWar Room Meetings: Do They Help or Hinder?
Is your manufacturing company on a path for growth? Do you like process and planning? Are you afraid of change? Does your team collaborate well? Well War Room…
my TRUE POSITIONTaking on Debt: Is It Worth It?
Did you grow up in a family owned business learning that a thriving company should be debt free? Is that a good approach to growing your business? Is it even…
my TRUE POSITIONParting Ways With a 21 Year Employee
One of the top three hardest things I've had to do in my career was to terminate a veteran employee. An employee who I worked with for 21 years. I knew him…
my TRUE POSITIONCYBER Fraud: It's Only A Matter of Time
Do you get random texts from "Amazon" saying they can't deliver your product, or how about your credit card has been compromised and you need to call or click…
my TRUE POSITIONManufacturing Leaders: Unite!
What happens when a foursome of manufacturing leaders get together for an open conversation about the future of manufacturing? Issues they're having right now?…
my TRUE POSITIONBeing the Policeman: Implementing Disciplinary Actions
Does the thought of writing someone up give you anxiety? How about having to tell someone they need to correct an action or there is a potential of…
my TRUE POSITIONSAFETY in the SHOP and $AVE
Do your insurance rates continue to skyrocket? Is it because of excessive workers compensation claims? On this episode of my TRUE POSITION I'm bringing in a…
my TRUE POSITIONMoving the Machine Shop After 40 Years
When is the right time to move your business? There are so many reasons. Future growth is probably the biggest, with taxes, infrastructure, cost, and even a…
my TRUE POSITIONBest Practices for Borrowing Money in an Inflationary Economy with Ty Willis
How does a growing machine shop continue to buy CNC equipment when interest rates are double what they were 12 months ago? Will inflation continue to rise and…
my TRUE POSITIONContinuing on in the Family Business When Dad Has a Girlfriend
So it's in the early 90's and I'm recently married, with a couple of kids, a house with a mortgage, two kids (and one on the way) and a minivan and coupe car…

