Conquering Chaos: A Show for Manufacturing Leaders

One of the most compelling reasons to digitize your operations is the access you get to new data points that were previously uncapturable. New data points bring new visibility. New visibility brings new insight. And new insight brings new innovation. But what data points are needed? And are these insights reserved for certain roles? Or can data be a powerful in-the-moment companion to everyone within manufacturing operations?Today's guest, John Klein, Business System Leader at American Axle and Manufacturing joined to give insight on how new data points combined with powerful visualizations and connected worker technology has enabled people at all levels within their operations to drive innovations.Join as we discuss the: power of frontline activity data importance of custom dashboards for data visualizationThe challenges of data collecting through papernew way of connected work for frontline manufacturing operations Scaling with analytics

In a very special episode this week, we're joined by two experts from the manufacturing industry who are using Parsable to power their digitalization efforts — Jim Carroll, Director of Land and Environment at Holcim, and Steve Switzer, Plant Manager at CEMEX. What's unique about this conversation is that these two leaders from two competing organizations have found common ground in their effort to improve the day-to-day experiences for their frontline workers. By sharing their experiences and exploring common problems that need to be solved, they're helping drive innovation within the industry.Join as we discuss: Factors driving digitalization on the frontlinesThe inefficiencies that occur when using paper-based processesFinding and implementing a digitalization toolThe power of partnering with ParsableResults and impacts they've accomplished with their team

Many manufacturers and industrial operations are facing a number of disruptions. There's workforce disruption, technological disruption, consumer disruption, and supply chain disruption. While there are a number of options for mitigating the impact of each, reshoring stands out as a critical way to minimize supply chain interruptions. In today's episode, we are joined by Alberto Villarreal, the Founder and managing Director of Nepanoa, who shares how Mexico's proximity, young workforce, and skilled labor make it the ideal location for manufacturers looking to reshore or localize aspects of their operations or supply chain. .  Join as we discuss:  What makes Mexico an ideal location for mitigating supply chain disruption Common misconceptions about establishing operations in Mexico Obstacles you'll face and ways to overcome them How technology helps you get up and running faster Results and ROI based other organizations have achieved

Cloud-based ERP, you've probably heard of it but are you implementing it effectively for your teams? In today's episode, we're joined by Kerrie Jordan, Vice President of Product Management for Epicor's Data Platform shared the insights on that survey and how cloud-based ERP systems can be effective in solving a significant amount of pain points manufacturers using on-prem and hybrid ERP solutions experience..   Join as we discuss  Epicor's manufacturing insights survey and report The power of cloud-based ERP  Common misconceptions about cloud-based ERPs  How to mitigate disruption during a migration to the cloud Establishing the ROI on migrating to a cloud-based ERP. You can read the survey results at this link: 

ERP. If you got it, you probably don't love it. But you know you need it. When it comes to ERP systems, many manufacturers have a love/hate relationship with their solution..  But why? At the end of the day, it is absolutely critical for managing what you produce. Is it caused by gaps in the solution? Shortcomings in the implementation? Shortsightedness in the vendor? What is the root cause of the pain? In today's episode, Paul Tedford, CEO at Synergy Resources, shared his insight on how manufacturers can get the most out of their ERP system, from selection to implementation and beyond. If you feel some of the love and hate for your own ERP system, this episode is for you. .  Join us as we discuss: The evolution of the ERP system   Addressing and fixing the gaps in most ERP implementations  The future of ERP systems  And we ask a special question to Paul based on the classic hit from Naughty By Nature. Take a listen to find out if Paul is down with ERP.

Mitigating risk in manufacturing is a tall task for many companies — especially these days. Everything from supply chain, workforce retention and inflation can hinder a company's profitability without warning.  How can a well lead company mitigate these risks without disrupting the flow of production?  In today's episode, Dan Burgos, President and CEO of Alphanova Consulting, shared how companies can identify these constraints, embrace them and continuously improve from them.  Join us as we discuss: Making continuous manufacturing improvements to mitigate risks Creating efficiency in common areas to combat inflation  Reasons why lean implementations fail  Best practices for efficient product flow  Leaders creating a positive and engaging workplace  Check out Dan's blog on 10 Reasons Lean Transformations Fail   Is your business stacking-up with world-class performance? Take the self-assessment test now!   Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

We're in a period of time where everyone is struggling to do more with less. That pressure impacts everyone at all levels — CEO, management, and the frontlines. But what if you had a blueprint for achieving more without expanding resources?  If you tap into the talent, skills, and creativity of your greatest asset — your people — you could accomplish quite a lot. There are issues that occur in manufacturing that go unreported because frontline workers don't feel like they're being heard by leadership. From quality and safety issues to facility improvements, there's a sentiment that any feedback will just get lost in a black hole.  There is difficulty attracting and retaining talent. And that's impacting the ability for manufacturers to meet customer demands. In today's episode, Thomas Shorma, Chief Executive Officer at WCCO Belting, joins us to share how his team was able to increase throughput by 20%, retain talent, and create an environment where anyone within an organization can contribute to the growth of the company. Join us as we discuss: Getting 20% more for 20% Encouraging your workforce to share ideas and feedback Developing internal training programs for different skillsets

Your customers are not just the end consumer, your customers are all around you. They are the employees who help grow the business and the partners you work with to create sustainable products.  And if you aren't meeting all of your customer's true needs, you're in for some rough times. We speak with John Gossett, US Sales Director at Smurfit Kappa, in this episode to learn more about how he adopted a customer service mindset and the impact it's had on his ability to enable others to make and sustain change. Join us as we discuss: Which customers you may be overlooking How to identify your customers' true needs Enabling your customers to accomplish their goals

In today's episode, Bob Seaman, Director of Innovation and Product Development at D.G.Yuengling & Son, joins to share his journey from the nuclear biz to the brewing biz, going from craft brewer to master brewer, and the lessons he's learned along the way from major brewers like MolsonCoors and Yuengling.  We talk about the thousands of possibilities and things that could go wrong when packaging beer and how he empowers his workforce to take ownership for solving problems. Join us as we discuss: Becoming a brewmaster Managing risk on a production line Empowering people within the organization

Our host Josh Santo and the rest of the Conquering Chaos team are going on a short break for the summer but we'll be back with more conversations with leaders who are Conquering Chaos.  While we're gone, visit our new LinkedIn Page for the Conquering Chaos podcast and revisit some of our top episodes.  See you at the end of summer! Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

There is a lot of talk out there in the world about how digital transformation is a people focused transformation, but the application of that seems to get lost. In order for manufacturers to thrive in the factory of the future, we need to place our focus on the user experience and putting people first. In today's episode, we speak to Dr. Stefan Kozielski, Associate Director Of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at Boston Consulting Group, about his experience advising manufacturing leaders and what manufacturers need to do to get started on a people focused journey to the factory of the future? Join us as we discuss: A Realistic Approach to Digital Transformation  Leadership & Psychological Safety Making a Focus On People the Future  Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Is your Lean implementation a failure? Here's a controversial take — it very well may be. Many manufacturers halfheartedly try to go lean, but overlook critical components of the philosophy. But when done right, manufacturers can make a huge impact. So what does right look like? Bill Neeve, President at Cycle Time Management Inc, joins the show to discuss the principles of lean management and how to make it work for your company. We discuss: Why lean management often appears to fail Principles of effective lean management Implementing a lean scoreboard Training opportunities in lean management Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Manufacturers experience a multitude of challenges today from issues with the supply chain and material availability to talent recruitment and retention. How can manufacturers remain competitive in this challenging climate? Pavel Kuviarzin, Organizational Excellence Expert at Future State Engineering, joins the show to share advice and best practices gleaned from 20 years of experience working with manufacturers to achieve breakthrough operational improvements. We discuss: What manufacturers should prioritize to improve production Obstacles that get in the way of optimizing flow KPIs to focus on What people get wrong about flow and how to fix it Resources mentioned during the podcast: The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Overcoming the everyday chaos inside a manufacturing organization requires some degree of change.  The bad news? Most people don't like change. Jim de Vries, Founder & Managing Director at Enhance International Group, has helped countless organizations navigate change and achieve organizational excellence. He shares why culture is so important to driving change and how to create a culture that supports a resilient enterprise. We discuss: 4 types of workplace cultures The impact of a poor workplace culture How to shift the culture at your workplace Resources we mentioned during the podcast: Managing My Plant: A Millennial Manufacturer on Care, Culture, & Creativity w/ Sarah Dale  Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Recruiting and retention come up a lot on this show, and for good reason. They are top of mind for leaders across the manufacturing industry. But Tony Lopez, Vice President of Operations, Manufacturing and Logistics Services at PRIDE Industries, explains that there is one often overlooked group that could help solve manufacturing's workforce issues—workers with disabilities. Tony breaks down the many ways that manufacturing organizations benefit from employing this untapped labor market. We discuss: How PRIDE Industries helps persons with disabilities and manufacturers What constitutes a disability and how that may be different than what you're thinking Misperceptions around employing persons with disabilities How the cultural impact plays into recruitment, onboarding, and training The triple bottom line and ESG Resources mentioned during the podcast: Worker Retention – It's Not Rocket Surgery w/ Jim Parker Build a Local Talent Supply Chain w/ Gregg Chamberlain Millennials on Manufacturing w/ Jake Hall Email Tony: tony.lopez@prideindustries.com Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Machine learning and AI are critical to the future of manufacturing operations. To get you up to speed on the topic, we spend this episode explaining how they work, and showcasing the incredible ways in which industrial companies are implementing them into workflows. And we've got the perfect guide: Prateek Joshi, CEO of Plutoshift. A machine learning expert, he has written 13 books on the subject. Today, he's bringing AI to industrial organizations around the world via a data platform that monitors physical infrastructure. We discuss: What AI is and how it works How to get started with AI AI use cases in manufacturing Why Prateek transitioned from tech to focusing on industrial organizations Subscribe to Prateek's weekly newsletter. Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

We've talked a lot on this show about the challenges manufacturers face when it comes to recruiting and retaining workers. What if manufacturers did more to appeal to the foreign-born talent pool—a segment that made up 19% of the manufacturing workforce in 2018? Would that help solve our workforce shortage? In this episode, Wendy Pease, Language Translation Expert and the CEO at Rapport International, joins the show to discuss how manufacturers today can attract, engage, and retain local members of foreign-born communities. We discuss: The importance of embracing foreign-born communities in today's workforce How Boston Centerless became fully staffed by attracting local foreign-born workers Best practices for successful operations across a diverse workforce Where to meet with community leaders and recruit foreign-born workers  Mentioned during the podcast: Managing My Plant: A Millennial Manufacturer on Care, Culture & Creativity w/ Sarah Dale Worker Retention – It's Not Rocket Surgery w/ Jim Parker The Next Gen of Industrial Leaders w/ Paula O'Driscoll and Anthony Loy Meet the Next Gen of Manufacturers: Tu Cao Build a Local Talent Supply Chain w/ Gregg Chamberlain  Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Increasingly, companies are investing in ESG initiatives (environmental, social, and governance). Partly, it's due to a realization of the impact of climate change and a recognition that something has to change. But promising to make a change and actually making that change are two very different things. What are the practical steps you can take as a company to start developing more sustainable product offerings? Dave McLain, Director of Sustainability at Printpack, shares lessons how his team has helped identify & implement changes to signature products and provides advice for establishing a culture of sustainability within your organization. We discuss: 4 P's of Printpack corporate social responsibility How the definition of sustainability differs among customers Printpack's process for developing sustainable products Getting buy-in for sustainability initiatives Advice for companies considering making changes to product offerings  Mentioned during the podcast: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended on It  Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

In today's world, socioeconomic changes are happening at an increasing rate, which means manufacturing organizations must constantly adapt to keep up. Hyobin Sung, Director of Learning Solutions at STANLEY X. Their work revolves around innovating for the future of work, including developing solutions to attract, retain, and empower the makers workforce.  In this episode, she explains what her team does, why innovation is so important, and how organizations can attract more diverse talent.  We discuss: The mission and verticals of STANLEY X What businesses can do to attract more diverse talent Innovations launched by the Talent Solutions team  Misconceptions about skilled trades Mentioned during the podcast: Ep. 7: Digital Innovation from Unlikely Sources w/ Tope Sadiku  Ep. 17: People Solve Problems w/ Jamie Flinchbaugh  Ep. 18: Worker Retention – It's Not Rocket Surgery w/ Jim Parker  Ep. 20: Supply Jane & FIFO: Getting Younger Generations Interested in Supply Chain w/ Megan Preston Meyer  Connect w/ STANLEY X   Join the Future of Work Council  Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

In this episode, we chat with Sarah Dale, Plant General Manager at International Paper, about how she landed in manufacturing, how she leads her team, and what organizations can do to recruit and retain the next generation of manufacturing. We discuss: How to address common millennial misconceptions about the industry Ideas for retaining a millennial workforce Why care is at the center of Sarah's leadership style How to tap into creativity at work Sarah's new venture: Captive Clean Mentioned during the podcast: Ep. 5: Millennials on Manufacturing w/ Jake Hall  Ep. 13: Women in Manufacturing: Recruitment and Retention w/ Allison Grealis  Ep. 18: Worker Retention – It's Not Rocket Surgery w/ Jim Parker  Ep. 17: People Solve Problems w/ Jamie Flinchbaugh  Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Continuous improvement is the backbone of an organization's longevity.  Without innovation and an incentive for change, the risk of collapse climbs. But it's not enough to implement a change — you must equip workers at all levels with the knowledge, skills, and expertise required to sustain change. Ray Ardahji, Managing Director at MICHIANA LEAN TECH, LLC, knows this better than anyone after over 30 years of helping companies pivot and grow into new systems. He is also passionate about employee engagement and has built reliable processes to support the crucial elements of successful transitions. How does he do it? In this episode, we discuss:  What people get wrong about Continuous improvement The Formula for Change Implementing and sustaining new systems/process Learn more about Ray's mission and services at MICHIANA LEAN TECH, LLC and check out his breakdown of the Eight X Factors Recommended for A Successful Outcome. Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Data is essential to the supply chain process, but it's not everything. It's a tool to be leveraged by the people who ultimately make the decisions. After all, data without business context is meaningless, or even worse, misleading. Megan Preston Meyer, writer and publisher at Preston Meyer Publishing, is an expert in supply chain analytics and a proponent of finding the right balance between data and insight. She's also a key player in attracting the next generation to manufacturing.  How is she doing it? A children's book series that follows the adventures of Supply Jane and her dog FIFO.  In this episode, we discuss: The role of analytics in the supply chain What many people working in supply chain get wrong Best practices for dealing with data How story can attract younger generations to supply chain careers Learn more about the adventures of Supply Jane and FIFO at https://supply-jane.mailchimpsites.com Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

During this prolonged labor shortage in the manufacturing industry, there's been a lot of talking ABOUT frontline workers, but not a lot of talking TO frontline workers.  Recently, Parsable sought to fix that. In this episode (adapted from a previously recorded webinar), Jaime Urquidi, Manufacturing Industry Lead at Parsable, joins host Josh Santo to break down the results from a survey that reached 1,400 self-identified frontline manufacturing workers across five different countries. We discuss: Why we need to invest in more digital tools for frontline workers The consistency of inefficient workflows and communication processes How the pandemic has given frontline workers a greater sense of pride about their jobs Mentioned during the episode: International Frontline Workers Survey Webinar   Find out what frontline manufacturing workers want Gen Z's Perception of Manufacturing  Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

It's no secret that manufacturing and industrial organizations are struggling to recruit and retain millennials and Gen Z workers. As an aging workforce nears retirement, it has become an urgent issue with companies scrambling to fill these positions. So the million dollar question is: How can we attract the next generation to manufacturing? To answer it, we're talking to Tu Cao, Operational Excellence Deputy Manager at Olam. She's a member of this new generation, and in this episode, she shares what piqued her interest in manufacturing and what the industry needs to understand in order to bring in a younger workforce. Topics covered: How to get more kids interested in becoming builders Misperceptions about working in manufacturing Advice for anyone interested in pursuing a manufacturing career Advice for companies looking to attract young workers Check out the resources below for more information: Visit www.parsable.com/podcast to join our mailing list. Use Parsable risk-free for 30 days . Take a look at our Demo to learn more about Parsable. Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

No matter what buzzword is being used to describe it—from the great resignation to the grey tsunami—the fact of the matter is that many industries are struggling to recruit and retain frontline workers. Manufacturers are struggling to meet the demands of today with less resources than yesterday. The focus of this episode is on what you can do about it. Jim Parker, Corporat e Director Quality & Operational Excellence at Inline Plastic , joins the show to talk about the employee engagement initiative he recently led and the employee retention tactics every manufacturer can take back to their factories. We discuss: Leading an initiative focused on employee engagement Uncovering areas to improve in employee data 4 key areas to focus efforts The impact of engagement efforts  Check out the resources below for more information: Visit www.parsable.com/podcast to join our mailing list. Use Parsable risk-free for 30 days . Take a look at our Demo to learn more about Parsable. Jocko Podcast  Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin  Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Have you ever wondered what you need to do to empower your people to use their creativity and unique perspective to tackle issues and implement sustainable solutions? If you have, this is the episode you've been waiting for. Jamie Flinchbaugh, Founder of JFlinch and Co-Founder of the Lean Learning Center and author of the book People Solve Problems, joins the show to explain what organizations need to have in place to make that vision a reality. We discuss: Clearly defining the problem that needs to be solved Shaping and measuring a culture of problem-solving The value of coaching Check out the resources below for more information: Visit www.parsable.com/podcast to join our mailing list. Use Parsable risk-free for 30 days . Take a look at our Demo to learn more about Parsable. The World Economic Forum People Solve Problems by Jamie Flinchbaugh  Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Internally, retaining talent requires you to invest in reskilling and upskilling with a culture of continuous learning in short and convenient increments. Externally, recruiting new talent requires you to partner with universities to train for the skills we need and making the industry even more attractive with digital transformation. In this episode, we have a conversation about building the next generation of industrial leaders with two fantastic guests: Paula O'Driscoll, Director of Engineering Strategic Technologies for The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson  Anthony Loy, VP, Smart and Sustainable Industrial Transformation in Schneider Electric  Check out the resources below for more information: Visit www.parsable.com/podcast to join our mailing list. Use Parsable risk-free for 30 days . Take a look at our Demo to learn more about Parsable. The World Economic Forum  Topics we covered: Evaluating the skills gap in light of the fourth Industrial Revolution Strategies for upskilling and reskilling the workforce How to adapt recruitment to bridge the skills gap Creating a culture of continuous learning Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for [Conquering Chaos] in your favorite podcast player.

In this increasingly connected world, data plays an integral role in understanding and improving businesses. People analytics, in particular, uses data to improve how businesses leverage the creativity and talents of their people. In this episode, Dr. Fabrizio Salvador, Professor of Operations Management - IE Business School, shares how people analytics helps organizations deploy their personnel more effectively and ensures they are doing more of what they do best. What manufacturers can learn from people analytics may surprise you. Check out the resources below for more information: Visit www.parsable.com/podcast to join our mailing list. Use Parsable risk-free for 30 days . Take a look at our Demo to learn more about Parsable. We discuss: What people analytics is What people get wrong about it How to operationalize it Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for [Conquering Chaos] in your favorite podcast player.

Everything in manufacturing is in the process of moving from bits into bytes as part of the digital transformation. Welcome to Industry 4.0 — an era in which operations are getting digitized and net new revenue streams are being generated off of this influx of new data. Don Meier , Deloitte Catalyst Innovation Manager at Deloitte Consulting , joins the show to share his thoughts on how all of this new technology supports day-to-day operations and how his team tracks emerging trends. We discuss: The digital transformation and Industry 4.0 Getting out of pilot purgatory Tracking emerging technology Building vs buying a solution Check out the resources below for more information: Visit www.parsable.com/podcast to join our mailing list. Use Parsable risk-free for 30 days. Take a look at our Demo to learn more about Parsable. Reach out to Deloitte's Catalyst Energy Resources and Industrials Team at DeloitteCatalyst@deloitte.com. To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to Conquering Chaos on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or your preferred podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

Manufacturing has had a damaging perception—one where the industry is male-dominated and potentially physically dangerous. Despite the modernization of the industry, more attention must be directed to marketing these changes. Only then will the industry see new employee talent, both men and women, enter the field. Allison Grealis, President of Women in Manufacturing, joins the show to discuss strategies for modernizing manufacturing and closing the gap between men and women in the industry. What was talked about: Current Obstacles for Women in Manufacturing Dispelling Damaging Perspectives & Modernizing Manufacturing Investing in Training Diversity in the Workplace Aiding Creativity Details on Women in Manufacturing Information about Moms in Manufacturing Check out the resources below for more information: Visit www.parsable.com/podcast to join our mailing list. Use Parsable risk-free for 30 days. Take a look at our Demo to learn more about Parsable. WomeninManufacturing.org Hear Her Story podcast Moms in manufacturing event WiM Works Career Center To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to Conquering Chaos on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

Making a supply chain 100% traceable is no easy task—requiring multiple standards and certifications within the business in order to prepare for the future. Those businesses that jump at the chance to improve their traceability will have a large advantage over their competitors. Despite the advantage, many traditional organizational models are not set up for this transition. Hernan Saenz, Global Head, Performance Improvement Practice at Bain & Company, joins the show to discuss best practices for improving supply chain traceability: - Obsolete Supply Chain Traceability Strategies - Steps to Making a Digitally Traceable Supply Chain - Obstacles to Improving the Supply Chain Traceability - Collaborating on Traceability Efforts Check out the resource below for more information: - Performance Improvement Services at Bain To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to Conquering Chaos on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

When we think of a successful team, we often think of group cohesion and aligned goals and values, but according to Jonathan Griffiths, Director of Focus on the Process, that's not enough. Understanding purpose and getting behind the mission to improve every day is what truly constitutes a successful team. On this episode we talked about: - Lean leadership - Continuous improvement methodology - Why continuous improvement fails OPTIONAL: Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-griffiths-a9014812/ - https://www.fotpltd.co.uk/

Building tomorrow's manufacturing workforce, according to Gregg Chamberlain, HR Talent Consultant and Founder of 3 Echo Consulting, will start locally. On this episode of Conquering Chaos, Gregg joins us to discuss the importance of changing the education system to foster a system of aspiring, forward-thinking manufacturers. What we talked about: - Gregg's journey from the military to HR - Covid's impact on the manufacturing industry - Integrating modern technologies into educational programs Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-chamberlain/ - https://3echoconsulting.com/ Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for [Conquering Chaos] in your favorite podcast player.

It's a common misconception that sustainability and ESG are only about risk mitigation. In reality, they're also about value creation. Today's guests, Abby Davidson, Vice President, North America at Corporate Citizenship, and Carol Casazza Herman, Managing Director at Casazza Herman LLC, explain why as they join the show to share all you need to know about sustainability and ESG. We discuss: - The meanings of sustainability and ESG - Why sustainability and ESG are smart business practices - How to take steps to improve sustainability and ESG in your business Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos: A Show for Manufacturing Leaders in your favorite podcast player.

If your understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) comes from sci-fi movies like iRobot and… well, AI, then you should tune in to this episode. Willem Sundblad, Founder & CEO of Oden Technologies and an expert in smart manufacturing, joins us to break down what AI actually is, what it isn't, and what it can do to improve your organization. We discuss: - How AI and machine learning (ML) speed up tedious processes - The difference between supervised and unsupervised ML - What people get wrong about AI and ML - What needs to be in place to implement AI and ML at scale Email Willem at willem@oden.io and Josh at josh@parsable.com. Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos: A Show for Manufacturing Leaders in your favorite podcast player.

Through different practices, disciplines, and hobbies, you start to uncover certain things that tend to be true. These truths can be applicable to so many facets of life. And by dedicating yourself to uncovering a particular truth, what you discover can then be used for other people. In this episode of Conquering Chaos, I talk with Tope Sadiku, Global Head of Digital Employee Experience at The KraftHeinz Company, about how to find and fuel innovation from sources you may have considered unlikely. We also talked about: - Using learnings from disparate places to solve problems at work. - Uncovering and sourcing truth with curiosity. - Discovering innovation through diversity. - Connecting people to sources of digital information. Never miss an episode of Conquering Chaos! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

When your organization is experiencing a merger or acquisition, what aspects do you prioritize? Technology? Business continuity? Safety standards? Didier Moleres, VP of Global Operations at Bimbo QSR, says your first priority should be your people. Period. In addition to tips for putting people and culture first during a merger, Didier shares… - Why people are the most important element in overall change management - How to standardize a safety culture across 8 countries - How “living” data helps organizations be more proactive Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos: A Show for Manufacturing Leaders in your favorite podcast player.

There are misperceptions about manufacturing — that it’s dark, dirty, and dangerous; an aging industry with no prestige — and these misperceptions push younger generations away from manufacturing work. Jake Hall, AKA The Manufacturing Millennial, joins the show to talk about what the industry needs to do to challenge the status quo and attract young talent. Jake shares: - The origin story of The Manufacturing Millennial - Negative myths about manufacturing vs reality - How new technology can attract younger generations to manufacturing - How to identify what changes need to be made and implement them successfully Sign up for the webinar: How to Attract and Retain Gen Z and Millennial Manufacturing Workers. Email Josh at josh@parsable.com. Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos: A Show for Manufacturing Leaders in your favorite podcast player.

It’s one thing to know you’re sedentary, but it’s another thing altogether when your Apple Watch tells you that you’ve only taken 900 steps today. Data can be a huge motivator for change — but not by itself. You need to get the right data in front of the right people to get things moving. In this episode of Conquering Chaos, I interview Brian Piotrowski, Vice President & General Manager - Pipeline & Industrial Materials at CMC Materials, about using data during change management. What we talked about: - Strategy and tips for making data mean something - Change management should focus on people and culture - Advice: Don’t track more than 10 data points - Decision making processes based on fact vs. emotion Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos: A Show for Manufacturing Leaders in your favorite podcast player.

It’s overwhelming thinking about the new technologies you want to implement along with the solutions that still haven’t proven their value to your organization yet. Pause for a second and remember that you can’t boil the ocean. Andi Le, Electronic & Imaging CIO at DuPont, joins us in this episode to discuss the Now, New, and Next in digital innovation. She also covers… - How DuPont prioritized technology initiatives in 2020 and moving forward - Tips on proving the value of new technology in your organization - How DuPont manages risk when investing in new technology - The importance of digital heroes in your organization Never miss an episode of Conquering Chaos! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

You know the old saying: “The only constant in life is change.” The same goes for business. And the only risk greater than investing in change — digital transformation or otherwise — is avoiding change. In this episode, we speak with Antonio Parra, the VP of Global Digital Transformation and Data & Analytics at Grupo Bimbo, about… - Why digital transformation needs to be unique to the organization - Why the change mentality has to go beyond your product - How to build an organization for change - Advice for organizations just beginning their digital transformation journey Never miss an episode of Conquering Chaos! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To many organizations, becoming more sustainable looks like more dollars being spent. In reality, it’s just the opposite. In this inaugural episode of Conquering Chaos, we’re joined by the CEO of Parsable and a member of the World Economic Forum, Lawrence Whittle. Lawrence shares why sustainability can be used as your competitive advantage, as well as… - How sustainability is impacting shifting work dynamics - The impact of sustainability on production - How reducing waste improves ROI - Small changes you can make now to drive a culture of sustainability Never miss an episode of Conquering Chaos! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Welcome to Conquering Chaos: A Show for Manufacturing Leaders, brought to you by Parsable! For more info, check out parsable.com or send a message to josh@parsable.com.