Marketing’s Role in Manufacturing

Christine Olson

Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #141

Learn from Christine Olson, Marketing Manager at Midwest Rubber, as she outlines how manufacturers can integrate marketing to bridge the gap between technical processes and customer relationships. Gain practical strategies to align marketing with operations, utilize customer feedback for continuous improvement, and craft compelling stories that emphasize quality and expertise. This episode delivers actionable takeaways to drive collaboration, enhance processes, and build stronger customer connections.

Podcast Resources:

Join our Sales & Marketing Peer Group to share ideas and benchmark with other Manufacturers
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Shaping Culture, Talent, and Strategy

Steve Zweber and Russ Soukup

Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #140

Listen to this executive panel discussion replay from the 2024 Peer Group Mega Meeting featuring Steve Zweber, VP of Global Print Manufacturing, Operations & Distribution at Thomson Reuters, and Russ Soukup, President and CEO of Advanced Volumetric Alliance.

Together, they share their perspectives on economic trends, the evolving role of AI in manufacturing, strategies for recruiting and retaining top talent, and implementing operational excellence across teams. From navigating labor shortages to leveraging AI for efficiency and innovation, this episode offers actionable insights for manufacturers aiming to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced industry.

Podcast Resources:
• Peer Groups – Find Your Peer Group to start benchmarking, networking, and learning best practices alongside fellow manufacturers
• 5 Behaviors Sabotaging Senior Leadership

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Facilitation Skills from One of the Best

Bob Dummer

Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #139

Struggling with unproductive meetings that waste time and fail to move your team forward? Learn Facilitation Skills from One of the Best with Bob Dummer, an experienced manufacturing leader. In this episode, Bob shares actionable tips to help you facilitate meetings that drive engagement, encourage participation, and lead to clear decisions and action steps. Learn how to overcome common challenges like getting stuck in analysis paralysis, managing off-track discussions, and ensuring everyone has a voice. Transform your meetings into a powerful tool for achieving your goals.

Podcast Resources:
• Peer Groups
• Toastmasters International

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Top Takeaways of 2024

Kirby Sneen, Jeremy Blake, and Monica Smith

Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #138

This week, Kirby Sneen, Jeremy Blake, and Monica Smith share their favorite episodes from the year, biggest lessons learned in 2024, and what you can look forward to from the Manufacturers Alliance in 2025!

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How To Speed up Lean Using Data You Already Have

Vivek Saxena

Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #137

Vivek Saxena, Founder & CEO of Factory Twin walks you through how his small manufacturing clients are leveraging the data already in their systems to drive process improvement and get better results. Learn why the current way of practicing lean is slow, the barriers to going digital, and how you can speed up the pace of improvement.

Visit FactoryTwin

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How to Reduce Conflict by Improving Collaboration

Jody O'Neil

Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #136

Silos, poor listening skills, and even cultural differences can be some of the bigger challenges any leader in manufacturing faces when trying to get everyone on the same page. In this episode, Jody O’Neil shares how to foster a collaborative environment to counter these challenges and reduce potential conflict in the workplace.

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Manufacturing’s Outlook

Laurie Harbour

Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #135.5

Industry expert Laurie Harbour, partner with Wipfli, delves into the outlook of manufacturing. In this episode, Laurie shares key insights on the current instability in the industry, emerging trends to watch, and the barriers manufacturers must overcome to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Wipfli’s Website

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Removing Variation From Your Process

Matt Evans

Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #135

Matt Evans, Quality Manager at Unimatic Precision Machining, shares practical strategies for removing variation from your processes. Learn about mistake-proofing, leveraging control charts, and creating accurate standards to improve consistency and overall quality.

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The Top 5 Problems CI Leaders Face

Bob Dummer

Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #134

Gain insights on how to overcome continuous improvement challenges so that you can effectively manage improvements. In this episode, Bob Dummer explores the top 5 challenges CI leaders face, including resistance to change, sustainment, and access to data.

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Unleashing the Power of Problem-Solving

Eugene Arrington

Manufacturers Alliance Podcast Ep. #133.5

In this bonus episode, we’re sharing a replay of one of your favorites, featuring Eugene Arrington. Learn how to overcome fire fighting, make time for problem-solving, and overcome the tendency to jump to conclusions.

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