A Practical Podcast

For results-driven manufacturers that want to become even better leaders and problem solvers anytime anywhere.

  • All
  • Continuous Improvement
  • HR Management
  • Leadership Development
  • Operations Management

Leading with a Vivid Vision

Brad Konik
Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #101

For those of you who have struggled with inconsistent results, turnover, or just need to make sure you’re on the same page as your leadership team, you’re going to love this conversation.

We’ve invited the CEO of Konik, Brad Konik, to talk about what he has done to establish a vivid vision for his company that is engaging and inspiring for his employees, clients and community.

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Training that Fits Your Culture

Monica Smith
Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #99

Failure to customize your training can result in people feeling left out, not willing to be open about real issues, or cultural roadblocks like the infamous “that’s not how we do it around here.” Avoid these issues and enjoy this week’s conversation with Monica Smith, as she shares what she’s done to help members successfully customize training… so you can too!

Download the Leader’s Guide

 

My Favorite Lesson Learned

Jeremy Blake, Monica Smith and Jim Drennen
Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #100

Enjoy this week’s special 100th episode featuring Manufacturers Alliance team members Jeremy Blake, Monica Smith, and Jim as they discuss their favorite lesson learned and how they keep growing.

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3 Behaviors that are Sabotaging Your Leadership

Kirby Sneen
Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #99

Becoming a successful senior leader is predicated on your ability to address emerging leadership challenges with new skills and strategies. The challenge I see most leaders face is that they went to school for engineering, operations, or supply chain management, not leadership. That’s why I want to break this problem down, look at some of the most common causes, and share what I’ve seen other successful executives do so that you can become a more strategic leader.

 

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2023 Manufacturer of the Year Winners

Jennifer Lindquist, Chris White, & Helen Swanson
Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #98

Every year we award three manufacturers for their dedication to developing a culture of continuous improvement and willingness to share their lessons learned with their peers. In this episode we’re talking to the 2023 Manufacturer of the Year Award Winners about their success, lessons learned, and looking forward to the future.

Register for the 2023 Manufacturer of the Year Awards

Developing Master Level Front Line Leaders

Todd Voit
Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #97

Front-line leaders have to be good at getting work done through the voluntary cooperation of others, but what does it take to master your ability to get high-quality products and services to the customer on time consistently? On this week’s episode Todd Voit, the Director of Continuous Improvement at the Bernard Group, shares what you can do to develop master-level front-line leaders.

Download the Leader’s Guide

Kata for High Performing Teams

Jill Hillyer
Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #96

Have you ever wondered how to get your team to stop pencil whipping and start problem solving? On this week’s episode Continuous Improvement Leader Jill Hillyer shares her experience with developing high performing teams with Kata!

Find a Peer Group

Monticello: Working, Living and Retiring Well

Angela Schumann & Jim Thares
Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #95

Have you ever experienced constraints to growth like access to talent, transportation, moving or going multi-site? Enjoy this week’s conversation with Angela Schumann & Jim Thares.

Questions about moving to Monticello? Contact Jim or Angela
Quality of Life one-pager
Learn about financial incentives

Selecting Your Next Green Belt Candidate 

Steve Drueen
Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #94

We all have limited time, energy and resources, but we also know that investing in people can unlock huge potential. Enjoy this week’s conversation with Continuous Improvement leader Steve Drueen as he shares his expertise on what you can do to Select Your next Green Belt Candidate.

Learn about Green Belt Certification

The Recruitment Revolution

Jim Mulrooney
Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #93

The challenge for most is being able to let go of those old recruitment practices and coming up with new ways to attract talent. Enjoy today’s episode featuring Jim Mulrooney with Bremer Bank, as he shares what he’s learned working with small business owners and how they’ve revolutionized recruitment.

Learn more about Bremer Bank