Workforce 4.0

In this conversation, Kence Anderson, Founder and CEO of Composable sits down with host, Ann Wyatt, to discusses the critical role of AI in manufacturing. From the looming retirement crisis to the critical need for preserving tribal knowledge, Kence shares why AI, machine teaching, and innovative workforce training are more essential than ever. He highlights how manufacturers can empower engineers and operators, ensure business continuity, and build a future-ready workforce. Kence shares insights on overcoming talent challenges and offers advice for tenured manufacturing executives on the best ways they can leverage AI for the future of work and advice for early career professionals navigating their paths in the industry, alike. In This Episode:-00:00: Introduction to Kence Anderson and Composable-02:51: The Importance of Preserving Tribal Knowledge-06:42: Empowering Engineers and Workforce Development-10:40: AI in Manufacturing: Bridging the Skills Gap-18:34: Business Continuity and Legacy in Manufacturing-22:29: Machine Teaching: A New Approach to Training-29:01: Overcoming Talent Challenges in Manufacturing-36:28: Kence's Journey and Advice for Early Career ProfessionalsMore About Kence:As our CEO and Founder of Composabl, Kence is a pioneering autonomous AI leveraging his deep expertise in the industrial sector. With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for teaching, Kence has authored the book, "Designing Autonomous AI," along with having developed courses for the University of Washington and the Association for Advancing Automation. Previously the Director of Autonomous AI Adoption at Microsoft and the lead customer engineer for Bonsai (acquired by Microsoft), Anderson has spearheaded the creation of over 200 autonomous AI systems for commercial applications. Anderson's unparalleled talent lies in integrating human expertise with AI principles, exemplified by the innovative multi-agent orchestration platform he has developed with the Machine Teaching Methodology as the foundation of the platform architecture. Motivated by the desire to empower the 100M industry machine engineers, Anderson and the Composabl team developed a groundbreaking no-code production-ready AI Agent Builder tool kit. This enables operators and engineers to build "Intelligent Agents" that the engineer can teach to solve nuanced and real-world problems that supersede the current capabilities of manufacturing floor automation. To learn more about Kence, connect with him here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this conversation, Ann Wyatt interviews John Robinson, founder of Bits To Atoms, about the challenges and opportunities in the manufacturing sector, particularly in talent acquisition and the impact of automation. John shares insights on the skills needed in the industry, the disconnect between education and workforce requirements, and innovative training solutions that align with market needs. The discussion emphasizes the importance of human talent in an increasingly automated world and the need for educational institutions to adapt to the evolving job landscape. In this conversation, John Robison discusses the disconnect between education and employment, emphasizing the need for a more seamless transition for students entering the workforce. He highlights innovative hiring campaigns, such as those by Anduril, and the importance of conveying a company's mission to attract talent. John shares his personal journey in founding Bits To Atoms, driven by the challenges he observed in the manufacturing sector. The discussion also covers the necessity of up-skilling the workforce through training programs and bootcamps to meet the demands of the evolving job market.In This Episode:-00:00: Introduction and Event Connections-02:32: John Robinson's Background and Company Overview-09:00: Skills in Demand Amidst Automation-16:18: The Skills Gap in Education and Workforce-20:54: Innovative Training Solutions for Employers-27:12: Bridging the Gap: Education and Employment-30:36: Innovative Hiring Campaigns: Lessons from Anduril-34:03: The Importance of Mission-Driven Work-37:44: Inspiration Behind Standard Data: A Personal Journey-46:51: Training for the Future: Upskilling the Workforce-54:42: Building a New Model: Bootcamps for Skills DevelopmentMore About John:As a Gen Z entrepreneur, John Robison values mission driven companies that are pushing the frontier of technology forward and accelerating the commercialization of scientific progress. In founding Bits To Atoms, John's goal is to to provide more people with the skills necessary to get roles with manufacturing companies that are accelerating the rebuilding of the U.S. Manufacturing capacity. To learn more about John, connect with him here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Anne Wyatt engages with the junior board of directors, Peyton and Aiden, discussing their experiences and excitement for the upcoming Automate 2025 event. The conversation explores their interests in robotics, 3D printing, and their aspirations in welding, highlighting the importance of youth involvement in manufacturing and STEM fields. In this engaging conversation, the girls discuss the importance of encouraging young talent- especially women, in the trades and manufacturing industries. They explore the excitement surrounding careers in electricity and automation, emphasizing safety and preparedness. The conversation highlights the bright futures of the younger generation in manufacturing, the significance of community and networking, and the need for more women in trades. You don't want to miss this special edition of Workforce 4.0.In This Episode:-00:00: Introduction to the Junior Board of Directors-07:01: Excitement for Automate 2025-12:49: Exploring 3D Printing and Creativity-20:01: Future Aspirations and Welding Dreams-22:40: Celebrating Young Talent in Trades-23:58: The Future of Women in Trades-26:33: Safety and Preparedness in Industrial Work-29:26: Bright Futures in Manufacturing-34:41: Encouraging Women in the Trades-36:37: Networking and Community in Automation-41:51: Inspiring the Next Generation-46:41: Looking Forward to Automate 2025More About #TheJrBoardOfDirectors:Peyton (age 11) and Aiden (age 10) are already thinking about the future of work today. These manufacturing sisters currently reside in Canada under the care of Hank Pruim. Already experimenting with their 3D Printer that they saved up money for and advancing their robotics and welding skills, both Peyton and Aiden have captured the hearts of many in the manufacturing community. To learn more about these two bright and upcoming rockstars, connect with Hank Pruim here.The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt speaks with Scott Silknitter, VP of Strategy at Motion Controls Robotics, Inc. about the entrepreneurial spirit, the importance of positivity, and navigating the changing landscape of manufacturing. They discuss strategies for near-shoring and re-shoring, the significance of building partnerships, and the need for tailored training to address the skills gap in the workforce. Scott emphasizes the importance of attitude in both personal and professional settings, and the need for companies to adapt to the evolving employment landscape. In this conversation, Scott Silknitter discusses the importance of strategic growth planning for companies, emphasizing the need for automation and technology, particularly AI, to enhance workforce efficiency and predictive maintenance in manufacturing. He highlights the significance of company culture and employee engagement, offering valuable advice for the new generation entering the workforce. The discussion also touches on the impact of AI innovations in supply chain management and the necessity of maintaining a positive outlook in the workplace.In This Episode:-00:00: Introduction to Scott Silknitter and Workforce 4.0-03:06: The Entrepreneurial Spirit and Overcoming Challenges-06:00: The Importance of Attitude in Karaoke and Life-09:07: Navigating Economic Changes in Manufacturing-11:46: Proactive Strategies for Near-shoring and Re-shoring-15:02: Building Partnerships for Sustainable Manufacturing-18:02: Addressing the Skills Gap in the Workforce-20:55: Tailored Training for Workforce Development-23:52: The Future of Employment and Employee Retention-25:26: Strategic Growth Planning for Companies-26:50: The Role of Automation in Workforce Efficiency-32:31: Predictive Maintenance and Its Impact-36:35: AI Innovations in Supply Chain Management-41:51: Advice for the New WorkforceMore About Scott:With over 25 years of diverse industry experience in Enterprise Business Development, Sales Management, Marketing and Operations, Scott is a patent holding, entrepreneurial leader who can formulate, implement, coach and drive strategies to achieve growth. Scott has diverse industry experience in robot automation, contract manufacturing, distribution, e-learning, and capital equipment sales and product development. Currently the VP of Strategic Development with Motion Controls Robotics, Scott's mission is to help his company and his company partners reach their full potential and deliver value to the industry at scale. Learn more about Scott here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt speaks with Mark Peters, CEO of Butterball, about the evolving landscape of workforce development. Mark emphasizes the significance of understanding employees' personal challenges and passions, advocating for a shift from an enterprise-centric to a people-centric mindset. The conversation also highlights the impact of nonprofits in supporting workforce stability and engagement. In this conversation, Mark discusses the evolving landscape of employee benefits, particularly the importance of investing in ongoing education for employees. He emphasizes the need for companies to be open to employee mobility and to create networks that support talent development, even if it means employees leave for other opportunities. Mark also introduces his upcoming book, 'The Retention Trap,' which challenges traditional views on talent retention and advocates for a more people-centric approach. In This Episode:-02:07: Navigating Business Growth Post-COVID-06:04: The Importance of Team Bonding and Culture-07:14: Building a Sustainable Workforce-12:45: Shifting from Individualism to Community Focus-21:53: The Role of Nonprofits in Workforce Development-25:24: Creating Symbiotic Relationships with Employees-28:27: Investing in Employee Education-33:59: Building Sustainable Workforce Networks-36:42: The Retention Trap: A New Perspective-42:41: Engaging Communities in Manufacturing-47:07: The Story Behind Every Product-51:19: Connecting with Mark PetersMore About Mark:Mark Peters is the CEO of Butterball Farms, founder of i-3 Leadership and Author of ‘The Source'. Mark is passionate about inspiring other leaders and entrepreneurs through his experience and insight into positively impacting people's lives. He has over 30 years of experience in providing solutions and innovation to customers as America's leading producer of value-added, culinary butter flavor solutions. Butterball Farms is a second-generation family business that began over sixty years ago. Mark took over the family business in 1995, and has dedicated his career to positively impacting the lives of those who work for him and his company. His book, ‘The Source', uses the power of collaboration to stabilize your workforce, impact communities and address today's most pressing business challenges. To learn more about Mark, connect with him here.The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

Manufacturing is back and according to this week's podcast guest, Filip Aronshtein, CoFounder of Dirac, it's time to get back to building great things. On this season finale of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Fil to discuss the future of American manufacturing and Fil's mission to revolutionize the way that we leverage CAD. Fil shares his journey from electrical engineering and robotics at Northrop Grumman to founding Dirac, a company that automates assembly work instructions for manufacturing with the help of AI. The conversation delves into the importance of preserving tribal knowledge, the role of technology in augmenting human labor, and the cultural shift needed to make manufacturing appealing to younger generations. Fil provides actionable steps to close the skills gap and emphasizes the need to change the public perception of manufacturing jobs.-00:35: Special Guest: Fil from Dirac-01:07: Fil's Background and Dirac's Mission-02:36: Challenges and Evolution in Manufacturing-04:42: The Empire State Building: A Symbol of American Greatness-06:36: Karaoke and Company Culture-07:52: The Future of Work and Technology's Role-15:10: Automation and Tribal Knowledge in Manufacturing-28:34: The Challenge of Training Others-29:38: The Potential For Partnerships Between Guilds and Labor Unions-31:59: The Stigma Around Skilled Trades-32:45: Personal Anecdotes and Career Paths-38:28: The Importance of Tribal Knowledge-43:08: Actionable Steps to Close the Skill Gap-47:48: The Bus Factor Concept-51:03: Making Manufacturing Cool Again-54:51: Contact Information and ConclusionMore About Filip:Filip Aronshtein is an avid believer that the foundation of the West was forged upon its capacity to build. And as the Founder and CEO of Dirac, Fil is a firm believer that empowering engineers with digital tools and combining digital work instructions with CAD will get us closer to building. To learn more about Fil and his mission, connect with him here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

Wouldn't it be great to have a central point of reference for Manufacturing Events and Manufacturing Voices in a decentralized world? Chris Stevens, Founder of Manufacturing Media certainly thought so and in this episode of Workforce 4.0, Chris sits down with host Ann Wyatt to share his new platform with other manufacturing leaders. During this episode, Chris also share his journey from high school shop floors to becoming a leader in medical manufacturing. The conversation continues as Chris and Ann also delve into the importance of automation, the role of problem-solving skills, and the value of trade shows for industry collaboration. Chris also announces his new initiative, 'The Home of Manufacturing,' a comprehensive list of trade shows and 'Voices of Manufacturing,' aimed at amplifying influential voices in the sector. Lastly, they discuss the future of work, the significance of having a plan, and the evolution of skills necessary for the next generation. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the advancements and challenges in the manufacturing world. In This Episode:-00:35: Meet Chris Stevens: A Manufacturing Innovator -04:12: The Evolution of Automation in Manufacturing -09:42: Future Skills and AI in Manufacturing -16:47: Launching the Home of Manufacturing -20:21: The Importance of Trade Shows in Manufacturing -22:19: The Power of Online Communities -23:01: Future of Manufacturing: Knowledge Sharing -25:25: Voices of Manufacturing: Building a Community -30:27: Skills for the Future Workforce -34:44: Innovations During COVID-19 -37:43: Planning for Future Disruptions -40:05: Connecting with Chris: Building NetworksMore About Chris Stevens:With a career spanning multiple manufacturing roles, Chris is a tenured professional dedicated to operational and business growth. A builder at heart and a strategist by nature, Chris has helped companies innovate, streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and drive sustainable success.Through a deep understanding of industry challenges and opportunities, Chris is committed to advancing manufacturing, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of the industry. Learn more about Chris here and be sure to check out all of the events and voices at the Home of MFG here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

What does piloting Apache helicopters and the future of work have in common? On this episode of Workforce 4.0, your host, Ann Wyatt sits down with former military Pilot and now Founder, Craig Coyle to discuss how his experience in the military is shaping the way that we engage the frontline workforce. Craig shares his extensive background, from flying Apaches in the U.S. Army to working in aerospace and defense. They discuss the importance of structured leadership development and the evolving role of frontline leaders in an increasingly automated landscape. The conversation also touches on the significance of community and mentorship, the challenges of transitioning from the military to corporate roles, and strategies for engaging younger generations and improving retention in the manufacturing industry.In This Episode:-00:35: Meet Craig Coyle: From Military Pilot to Workforce Innovator-01:01: Craig's Journey and Insights on Leadership-07:50: The Importance of Mission and Leadership in Manufacturing-14:04: Operation Lead: Empowering Frontline Leaders-14:31: The Future of Workforce and Technology-25:18: Training vs. Hiring: Building Effective Leaders-32:53: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders-38:52: Conclusion and How to Connect with CraigAbout Craig Coyle:A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and former U.S. Army Apache Pilot, Craig is no stranger to leadership in complex and demanding environments. After many years of active-duty service spanning across the globe, he transitioned to the corporate world where he quickly realized many similar leader development challenges existed. His passion for leadership and developing leaders led him to leave his job and found Operation Lead. Now he helps organizations discover the keys to engaged workforces and unlocked organizational potential through developing new leaders that thrive and win. Learn more and connect with Craig here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Vlad Romanoff, co-host of Manufacturing Hub and Managing Partner of JolTek, to discuss the evolving landscape of manufacturing careers. Vlad shares his journey from electrical engineering to content creation, emphasizing the importance of technical education and networking. Throughout this episode, Ann and Vlad delve into the challenges facing the manufacturing industry, including workforce shortages and the increasing complexity of technology. Vlad also shares personal anecdotes about overcoming workforce challenges and underscores the importance of maintaining professional relationships. The conversation highlights the critical role of technical content in up-skilling and supporting the future workforce. In This Episode: -00:32: Meet Vlad Romanoff: Manufacturing Expert -12:50: The Importance of Networking in Career Development -19:38: Overcoming Challenges in Technical Projects -23:11: Handling Key Personnel Departures -23:55: Building and Maintaining Relationships -27:07: The Future of Work and Manufacturing -32:49: Challenges in Talent Acquisition -39:40: Encouraging the Next Generation -43:15: Conclusion and Contact InformationMore About Vlad:Vladimir is the founder and managing partner of Joltek. With over a decade of experience in some of the largest manufacturers followed by start-up experience, he's an expert in manufacturing excellence, digital transformation, IT / OT convergence, and more. With over a decade of experience in some of the largest manufacturers followed by start-up experience, he's an expert in manufacturing excellence, digital transformation, IT / OT convergence, and more. Vlad also co-hosts the popular industry centric podcast called "Manufacturing Hub." To learn more about Vlad, connect with him here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

The future of work is electric! And in this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt welcomes Luis Narvaez, Factory Automation Marketing Specialist at Siemens, to discuss the latest advancements in industrial automation technology. Luis delves into the release of the new S7 1200 Gen 2 PLC from Siemens with enhanced features focused on safety, flexibility, and ease of use. Most importantly, Ann and Luis also unpack its impact on addressing the skills gap in the manufacturing industry. Luis also shares insights from his own career journey, underscoring the importance of networking, continued education, and curiosity. These two even manage to takl about rollercoasters, too! Tune in to learn more about how Siemens is innovating to make frontline manufacturing work more efficient and satisfying.In This Episode:-00:35: Meet Louis Narvaez from Siemens-01:21: Challenges in Workforce Development-02:52: The Role of PLCs in Manufacturing-08:54: The Evolution of PLC Technology-15:36: Addressing the Skills Gap-20:01: Introducing the S7 1200 G2 PLC-28:06: Introduction to Product Goals-28:24: Scalability and Engineering Tools-29:45: Training and Performance Enhancements-31:27: Safety Features and Flexibility-36:42: Innovative NFC Technology-39:26: Cybersecurity Considerations-41:23: Career Journey and Advice-55:11: Conclusion and Contact InformationMore About Luis Narvaez:Luis Narvaez is passionate about the technology that is advancing manufacturing. Whether it is IIoT-related, Cybersecurity, robotics or the latest simulation and modeling tools he is always interested in exploring how technology is improving the lives of people in manufacturing. Luis is currently the Product Manager with Siemens and a graduate of the University of Central Florida. To learn more about Luis, connect with him here.The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

What makes a brand memorable? And what does that have to do with not only selling a product- but recruiting top talent? On this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Emily Wilkins, Founder and CEO of Marketing Metal to discuss actionable ways that manufacturing companies can reach their target audience and their targeted talent. This conversation also touches on the importance and defining brand integrity in business, the value of networking, modern marketing strategies and even tips on how company's can leverage tools like Chat GPT for best business practices. Tune into this fun and enlightening conversation on how modern marketing strategies are not only here to tell your story, but share how rad your brand is to your customers and to talent, alike.In This Episode:-00:30: Meet Emily Wilkins- Marketing Rockstar-02:33: The Importance of Brand Integrity-06:05: Adventures at IMTS: Networking and Fun-08:50: Marketing Strategies for Small Manufacturers-12:36: Recruitment as a Marketing Function-16:33: Engaging the Next Generation Workforce-20:21: Client Interviews and Employee Stories-21:16: Ownership and Employee Satisfaction-22:32: Recruitment Marketing Strategies-25:23: Leveraging Technology in Recruitment-32:00: ADHD and Personal Productivity-34:15: Marketing Systems and Processes-35:25: Podcast and Trade Show Highlights-37:37: Conclusion and Contact InformationMore About Emily WilkinsEmily is the Founder and CEO of Marketing Metal and she's on a mission to help job shops crush their marketing by building them a Radical brand that's authentic to who they are and magnetic to those they want to attract. Her process empowers them to market their businesses simply and effectively without spending a fortune or wasting countless hours on social media. Emily uses her shiny disposition and sharp wit to help manufacturers source and shape their METAL–the stuff that makes their shop magnetic to the kinds of humans that they want to have around them. She asks hard questions and goes deep with her customers so that she can not only build them a Radical brand but help them OWN it and recognize their own Radicalness. To learn more about Emily, connect with her here.Grab your free download of her "Blueprint For A Radical Brand Message," as mentioned in this episode here.The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt converses with Mark Beckmann, Director of Manufacturing Industry Solutions at Microsoft, to explore the evolving role of AI in manufacturing and its transformative potential. This episode offers some great insight into practical applications of AI with a special emphasis on the concept of AI Agency as a growing trend for companies heading into 2025. Mark also discusses other big ideas such as AI democratization and adoption, AI skills for the future workforce and concerns about the longterm impact that AI will have on our everyday lives and the future of work for humans. In This Episode:-00:29: Mark Beckmann's Background and Role at Microsoft-03:14: Diving into AI and Future Trends-04:04: AI in Manufacturing and Task Automation-07:45: AI in HR and Performance Reviews-10:13: Career Opportunities and Skills in AI-12:54: Prompt Engineering Explained-17:00: AI Democratization and Business Impact-20:34: The Ubiquity of AI in Our Lives-21:31: AI in Manufacturing: Enhancing Efficiency-23:25: AI's Impact Beyond Manufacturing-26:35: AI in Healthcare: Transforming Patient Care-28:14: The Future of AI: Opportunities and Concerns-32:58: AI and Labor: A Symbiotic Relationship-34:57: Agriculture and AI: Feeding the Future-35:53: Conclusion and Contact InformationMore About Mark Beckmann:As a Director, Manufacturing Industry Solutions at Microsoft, Mark works with all manufacturers to consult with them on their Industry 4.0 and Digital Transformation Initiatives. In particular, helping them transform their innovation, operational excellence, supply chain, field and dealer management services to fuel their ability to grow and compete in the face of advances in technology and disruption. Mark frequently engages with and advises manufacturers on innovations related to the Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Manufacturing, Connected Products, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and the application of these technologies to address their manufacturing challenges. Mark frequently speaks at conferences and industry events on topics in manufacturing and leads Microsoft work with the Digital Manufacturing Design and Innovation Institute. Mark has worked in the Information Technology field for 38 years as a consultant, partner manager, sales and sales management positions. To learn more about Mark, connect with him here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this highly anticipated season opener of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Kevin Bowers, Vice President of Research at AMT, to explore the years hottest trends shaping the manufacturing landscape in 2025. This insightful discussion provides valuable perspectives for anyone in the manufacturing industry seeking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Join us as Kevin shares his hot takes on the impact of the CHIPS Act, the growing influence of Big Tech, sustainability in manufacturing and the potential impact that Trump era tariffs could bring to the industry at scale.In This Episode:-00:35: Meet Kevin Bowers from AMT-03:53: Kevin's Career Journey-05:52: The Role of AMT and Its Team-11:47: Manufacturing Trends and Insights-16:30: Leveraging Government Initiatives-19:30: AI and Automation for SMEs-26:01: Future of Work in Manufacturing-30:32: Top Trends Recap for 2025-34:48: Conclusion and Contact InformationAbout Kevin Bowers:Kevin is the association's Vice President of Research: With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing across sales, operations, training, and support, he understands all aspects of our members' businesses. He also led research for industrial equipment and field services at the Technology & Services Industry Association, where they focused on benchmarking, advisory, and consulting to improve members' business outcomes. Kevin's deep-rooted industry knowledge and technical expertise, combined with his experience in actionable research, make him uniquely qualified to take our Research and Consulting team at AMT to the next level. He also serves on the board of NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills). Kevin graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Japanese and spent several years living and working in Japan. To connect with Kevin, please do so here. Also be sure the check out the amazing research that AMT is doing through their AMT Research Services and as a special bonus, we're including the link to the specific article mentioned into today's episode, "Tariffs: They're A Big Deal."The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this season finale episode of Workforce 4.0, join your host, Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Co-Founder of TW Controls, Amber Wilborne. During this light hearted and inspiring conversation, Amber shares her journey of being a bona fide girl boss and reflects on critical ways that the manufacturing industry has evolved over the past few decades. Amber also shares some impactful lessons and insights for all the aspiring baby girl bosses in this industry and encourages us all to break up with the word competition and choose collaboration instead. Overall, this is a fun and engaging conversation that highlights the value of patience, resilience and the human aspect of leadership in the manufacturing sector that you don't want to miss!In This Episode:-01:35: Amber's Journey in Manufacturing-02:45: Impact of TW Controls' Educational Initiatives-03:44: Memorable Moments and Industry Influence-05:53: Karaoke Adventures and Personal Stories-10:23: Challenges and Changes in Manufacturing Culture-17:41: Mentorship and Apprenticeship Importance-20:10: Collaboration Over Competition-22:39: Calm Down, We're All Going to Chicago-23:08: The Future of Work, Works Together-23:32: Empowering Women in Manufacturing-24:27: The Importance of Failure-24:59: Our Stories Matter-26:17: Starting T.W. Controls-27:10: Ministry Work and Giving Back-30:16: Leadership and Philanthropy-37:51: Advice for Future Generations-40:33: Connecting with Amber-43:30: Season Finale and FarewellMore About Amber Wilborne:Amber and Tim have owned and operated TW Controls LLC since 2006. Both work with manufacturing companies offering training and education for the industry. Their company has worked in a variety of industries to improve access to clean water and sanitation, increase production of medical equipment, and improve skills to support manufacturing in the United States. Amber is involved in Rotary International helping her community and doing work internationally. Her and Tim, as well as their children, have served alongside each other since 2015. Amber and Tim have witnessed new wells being dug, maintenance on wells, helping with clean water and sanitation needs, as well helping with mothers and children in developing countries.Amber loves her manufacturing and Rotary community and will continue to serve in whatever capacity she is able to. Connect with Amber Wilborne here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

Raise your hand if you've ever felt victimized by job boards and boring job descriptions! We know a certain recruiter that sure has and on this episode of Workforce 4.0, join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Alison Danielson, CEO of Tallo, to discuss the platform's innovative approach to connecting job seekers and students with career opportunities. They delve into the unique data structure of Tallo, its user-friendly interface, and its focus on early talent aged 13 to 30. During the conversation, Allison also shares her own career journey, success stories and partnerships in manufacturing and workforce development agencies and breaking down workforce data. The conversation touches on challenges in awareness and exploration among young people and the evolving landscape of manufacturing careers. In This Episode:-02:19: Alison's Background and Tallo's Mission -04:23: Simplifying Job Descriptions and Skills Matching -07:30: Engaging Young Talent: Interests and Assessments -11:54: The Evolution and Future of Tallo -17:25: The Importance of Skills-Based Hiring -28:12: Leveraging Data for Workforce Development -35:53: Closing Remarks and Contact InformationMore About Allison Danielson:Allison's experience as a mentor and small business consultant has shown her the value of one-on-one support. Her experience leading large teams and initiatives has shown her the power of influencing outcomes at scale. Trajectories can change when even small interventions are delivered widely. That's why she's energized by the opportunity to help millions of young people discover and explore career paths, learn and earn meaningful credentials, and make connections to good jobs through a digital platform that brings all stakeholders to the table. Learn more about Tallo and connect with Allison here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

What valuable insights can be gained from "people data?" In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host, Ann Wyatt, sits down with the DE&I and Cultural Strategist of Philly Shipyard, Sophie Bierly, to take a closer look at how diversity in manufacturing is effecting everything from the products that we make to the people that buy them. Join them as they discuss the challenges of capturing and leveraging people data including employee and caregiving support. And be sure to stick around for the deep dive into exploring recruiting and retention strategies- highlighting the need for community engagement and flexibility in the workplace. Lastly, Sophie underscores the importance of transparency and honest communication in building a supportive and innovative work environment. Packed with insights and ideas, this episode provides practical go-to advice for businesses looking to implement effective DEI strategies and leveraging people data to enhance workforce performance and satisfaction.In This Episode:-01:08: Diving into DEI and People Data-08:55: The Importance of Caregiver Support-14:23: Challenges in Manufacturing Flexibility-18:38: Recruitment Strategies and Community Engagement-21:58: The Value of DEI in the Workforce-36:10: Future Predictions for Workforce and Flexibility-41:03: Conclusion and Contact InformationMore About Sophie Bierly:Sophie Bierly is dedicated to empowering historically marginalized and underrepresented communities at work. As DEI and Culture Strategist at Philly Shipyard, her work is driven by elevating employees' voices and collaborating with inter-organizational stakeholders. In her previous work, Sophie worked for the Kim Center for Social Balance, conducting workforce equity research and consulting with businesses across industries at the regional scale, creating the first ever LEAPS Report on Workplace Equity at the Regional level, with San Diego County. Sophie has a passion for using data to demonstrate the need and impact of DEI at workplaces. To learn more about Sophie, connect with her here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

From working his way up in a machine shop out of high school to advising companies on the best methods for training their workforce for the era of Industry 4.0, this week's guest on Workforce 4.0 has done it all! Join host, Ann Wyatt, as she sits down with the Executive Director of NIMS, Montez King to share his passion for workforce development in manufacturing. During this interview, Montez shares his background and his own career journey, best practices for preserving tribal knowledge and the role of data and metrics in the training of your frontline workforce. Throughout the conversation, Montez emphasizes the need for dynamic and technology-driven training frameworks to address skill gaps and ensure sustainable growth in the manufacturing industry. We even learn about Montez's personal journey from "journey person" to gaining national (and parental attention) through a magazine feature. You don't want to miss this special episode of Workforce 4.0. In This Episode: -03:23: Montez's Journey: From Apprentice to Expert -05:29: The Value of Hands-On Experience -17:06: Overcoming the Skills Gap in Manufacturing -19:52: Understanding Tribal Knowledge -21:07: Documenting Processes vs. Tribal Knowledge -22:18: Dynamic and Smart Technology in Training -25:48: The Role of Data in Training Decisions -29:29: Challenges in Training Implementation -38:34: The Importance of Company Culture in Training -41:07: Conclusion and Contact InformationMore About Montez:As Executive Director of NIMS, Montez leads the transformation of outdated training approaches, including osmosis training where employers simply expect new employees to soak in knowledge from their co-workers. His goal, instead, is to teach companies to change their cultures, establish credibility and erase complexity gaps in learning. Prior to joining NIMS, Montez led the training function for one of the world's largest OEM automotive parts manufacturers and served as a machinist apprentice at a major energy company. To learn more about Montez, connect with him here.The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

How do we make technology more accessible to our frontline manufacturing workforce? In this episode of Workforce 4.0, your host Ann Wyatt sits down with the Founder of Team Engine, Carlos Del Pozo as they talk shop on the importance of enabling and empowering your frontline workforce through technology. As the Founder of a small business and former military veteran, Carlos and Ann take a deep dive into the challenges between operational and HR leadership in recruiting and retaining talent, how AI can improve HR technology and the ultimate importance of creating a sustainable frontline workforce. This insightful conversation also sheds some light on re-shoring of American manufacturing, the future of blue-collar work and the multifaceted approach needed to address labor shortages.In This Episode:-06:05: The Importance of Workforce Development-11:10: Challenges in Recruiting and Retaining Talent-17:21: The Role of Technology in HR and Workforce Management-24:04: Leadership Lessons from the Military-28:39: Future Predictions for Technology and Workforce-37:57: Closing Thoughts and Contact InformationMore About Carlos Del Pozo:Carlos del Pozo is a co-founder of Team Engine, a text-first software platform that helps companies in industries with a distributed workforce (such as landscaping, construction and manufacturing) grow and retain their teams. Prior to founding Team Engine, Carlos served as an Infantry Officer in the US Army and grew up in a small business family in San Diego. He lives in Boulder, Colorado. To learn more about Carlos, connect with him here.The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

If there is one person in the manufacturing influencing community that knows how to make some noise- it's certainly Eddie Saunders! As one of the most authentic people on your social feeds, Eddie catches up with friend (and show host), Ann Wyatt during a truly fun conversation about the impact of authenticity. For years, Eddie has acted as a Creative Director and now owns his own marketing firm, Speak Friend. Today, Eddie shares with us the importance of being authentic to a company's brand and how to track that information with data. Furthermore, this episode delves into the evolution of marketing towards human-centric content, the role of data driven strategies and the benefits of leveraging your personal brand. Join us for this light hearted banner and always remember to "be a good human." In This Episode:-07:10: Authenticity and Personal Growth -12:05: Empathy and Industry Evolution -15:06: The Power of Authenticity in Branding-17:00: Industry Insights and Cross-Sector Strategies-18:12: Human-Centric Marketing Approaches-19:26: Challenges and Opportunities in Manufacturing Marketing-22:25: Leveraging Influencers and Social Platforms-24:57: Data-Driven Marketing and Automation Tools-29:49: Point of Contact Information More About Eddie Saunders:Describing himself as the "Chief Empathy Officer" of Speak Friend, Eddie has over 10 years of industrial marketing experience and demand generation experience. To date, Eddie's expertise is in crafting marketing campaigns that establish profound customer connections and he is committed to leading the conversation (and his team) on empathetic story-telling and customized narratives tailored to each of his clients. Learn more and connect with Eddie here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt interviews prominent manufacturing leader, Ashleigh Walters on lessons discovered through Ashleigh's book, "Leading with Grit and Grace." As these two southern girls unpack what it means to simultaneously "have grit and lead with grace," listeners of the show will learn more about the powerful impact that thoughtful leadership has on key topics such as recruitment, empowering your frontline workforce and succession planning. In This Episode:-05:35: The Inspiration Behind 'Grit and Grace'-08:05: The Role of Technology in Manufacturing-11:06: Marketing and Succession Planning in Manufacturing-14:30: Transitioning To An ESOP Company-16:45: The Impact of ESOP on Employees and Community-17:12: The Decision To Choose ESOP Over Private Equity-18:21: ESOP As A Recruitment and Retention Tool-22:00: Leadership and Cultural Change in Manufacturing -24:15: Continuous Improvement and Industry Evolution -27:23: Learning From Other Industries-28:36: Conclusion and Contact Information About Ashleigh Walters:Ashleigh and her family relocated to the Rust Belt town of Erie, Pennsylvania, in an attempt to revive her husband's family's 54-year-old business. She used the problem-solving skills she obtained while earning her BS in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University and was able to change the company culture by using a coach approach leadership style. Ashleigh regularly shares her story with fellow leaders and encourages them to "make things better" by continuously improving processes. To learn more about Ashleigh connect with her here. The Future of Work (And This Episode) Is Powered By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

As a former tennis instructor, Devin Leonard never imagined pre-pandemic that he would be working for a major systems integrator in the manufacturing industry. Fast forward to 2024, Devin now oversees Sales for the entire Southeastern United States for Igus Inc. In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Devin to talk about his own career journey and how Igus is providing preventative maintenance solutions designed for the advancement of careers and safety for the frontline workforce. Devin also talks about how you can meet some of the Igus crew this week at FABTECH.In This Episode:-04:43: Discussing Igus and FABTECH -07:13: Automation Solutions for Manufacturing Companies-11:23: Devin's Career Journey-17:44: The Impact of Technology for Safety for Frontline Workforces-19:37: Leveraging Technology For Training-25:14: Innovations in 3D Printing and Manufacturing -31:56: Thoughts on Renewable Energy-35:48: Conclusion and Point of ContactAbout Igus:igus GmbH, founded by Günter Blase on October 15, 1964, in a double garage in Cologne, Germany, develops and produces motion plastics. Initially a supplier of complex technical polymer components, igus introduced reinforced plastic cable carriers and injection-molded polymer bearings as core products by 1983 under the leadership of Frank Blase. These self-lubricating, high-performance polymers improve technology and reduce costs wherever things move, making igus the worldwide market leader in energy supplies, highly flexible cables, plain and linear bearings, and lead screw technology made of tribo-polymers. Connect with Devin here. The Future of Work (And This Episode) Is Powered By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt interviews Travis Miller, President of Miller Resource Group. They discuss Travis's unexpected journey from broadcast journalism to leading a family-owned executive search firm specializing in industrial technology, manufacturing, robotics, and automation. Travis shares insights on workforce development, rebranding manufacturing careers, the importance of networking, and the critical skills required in recruiting. They explore strategies for attracting younger generations to manufacturing, the impact of new technologies on the industry, and the importance of creating value for employees. The conversation emphasizes the need for companies to move quickly in the hiring process and adapt to technological changes to remain competitive. In This Episode: -01:28: Travis Miller's Journey from Journalism to Recruiting -06:20: The Value of Networking in Recruiting -15:49: Rebranding Manufacturing for the Younger Generation -24:15: Excitement for Robotics and Legos -26:56: Introducing Robotics to Kids -30:44: Creating Urgency in Recruitment -38:44: The Future of Work and Technology -40:11: Embracing AI in Recruitment -46:17: Conclusion and Contact InformationAbout Travis Miller:Recruiting has been a part of who Travis Miller is. As President of Miller Resource Group, Travis has always loved talking with people; hearing their stories about where they've been, where do they want to go, and how do they want to get there. Travis still gets to do that every day while helping companies do great things by bringing tremendously talented individuals to their organization. Learn more about Travis and connect with him here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt welcomes Soren Peters, CEO of HowToRobot. They delve into Soren's background, from IT to robotics, and discuss the importance of making technology accessible and mainstream in the manufacturing industry. Soren shares insights on community building in manufacturing, workforce development, and the future impact of technology on work. He also emphasizes the need for simpler adoption processes and training programs to ease the transition for workers. Join them for an engaging conversation on the future of automation and workforce transformation. In This Episode:-07:38: Building Community in Manufacturing -21:48: Leadership and Thought Leadership in Robotics -26:38: Humane Aspects of AI and Robotics -26:51: Debating Practicality and Ethics in Robotics -28:21: Factory Insights: The Importance of Windows -30:12: Leadership and Responsibility -34:30: The Future of Work with Technology -40:11: Workforce Development and Automation -47:56: Adoption and Accessibility of Robotics About Soren Peters:Søren Peters is the founder and co-CEO of the global automation advisory and market platform, HowToRobot, providing vendor-independent guidance to businesses looking to automate. A serial entrepreneur, Søren has previously founded, led, and successfully exited a series of companies in the IT industry. Søren was born and raised in Denmark where he founded HowToRobot. Today, he is spearheading HowToRobot's expansion in the United States and Europe, helping local manufacturers succeed in automation and find the right solutions and suppliers. Learn more about Soren and connect with him here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Paul Ryznar, CEO and Founder of Light Guide. They discuss the transformative impact of projection-based augmented reality technology in manufacturing. Paul shares his journey and insights into how technology can enhance productivity and quality on factory floors. Topics include the role of AI in manufacturing, the benefits of connected worker technology, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Paul also touches on the future of work and how innovative tools can empower workers and reduce stress- ultimately giving a higher quality of life to workforces around the world. Tune in to learn about the exciting advancements shaping the manufacturing industry. In This Episode:-01:29: The Magic of Light Guide Technology -04:01: Connected Worker Technology and Manufacturing Challenges -06:57: The Eureka Moment and Founding of Light Guide -09:14: Impact of Light Guide in Medical and Manufacturing Industries -10:11: Empowering the Workforce with Technology -22:06: The Future of Work: AI and AR in Manufacturing -36:16: Leadership and Community Impact More About Paul Ryznar:Engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur Paul Ryznar is the Founder, President, and CEO of Wixom, Mich.-based LightGuide, Inc. The technology uses proprietary software and high-powered projector systems to guide and confirm the completion of complex manual tasks from assembly to quality control to training. Prior to LightGuide's invention in 2005, he held senior management roles including Vice President of Operations positions at Detroit Diesel, Bosch, and Energy Conversion Devices—more than 30 years of manufacturing experience. To learn more about Paul, connect with him here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

According to this week's guest on Workforce 4.0, James Soto, sharing stories across the manufacturing industry isn't only mandatory for good marketing, it's mandatory for building a lasting workforce. This week, Ann Wyatt sits down with James (CEO of Industrial Strength Marketing) to learn more about how manufacturing companies can leverage the power of story telling to boost their recruitment initiatives and their legacy and impact that they can have on the future of work. Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, we also learn more about Jame's story from his time growing up around manufacturing to the origins of Manufacturing Day and his purpose behind founding Nashville Made. In This Episode: -01:27: James Soto's Journey in Manufacturing -03:05: The Impact of Manufacturing Day -04:42: The Importance of Manufacturing in Education -08:54: Leadership and Trends in Manufacturing -21:37: The Role of Makers in Modern Manufacturing -27:11: The Impact of Community Investment -36:51: The Importance of Core Values -43:02: Building a Career Tribe More About James Soto:With over 20 years of experience as the founder and CEO of Industrial Strength Marketing James is passionate about helping industrial companies transition from traditional to technology marketing. James leads an integrated marketing agency that specializes in the industrial sector, creating omnichannel storytelling that engages and inspires industrial audiences. James also founded INDUSTRIAL STUDIOS, a video-first studio that redefines what a manufacturing video can be and how it can impact perceptions of manufacturing. As a co-founder and board member of Nashville Made, James continues to support the growth and development of local manufacturing companies and makers, providing them with programming, education, event strategy, and connections to key stakeholders. James also works directly with them on community engagement, diversity, workforce development, and job training programs. To learn more about James, connect with him here.The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

How does Mission Design and Automation take the lead on retaining fresh talent for their growing workforce? On this episode of Workforce 4.0,, host Ann Wyatt interviews Ryan Lillibridge, (Vice President of the organization) as he shares best practices for fostering a collaborative work culture and Mission's key philosophy on taking care of each other (as well as the customer). Ryan also delves into his own extensive career in automation, what it's like to cover industries from aerospace to agriculture and the significance of curiosity, mentorship and continuous learning for career growth. Lastly, Ryan talks in depth on the role of technology in enhancing the employee experience and the future of manufacturing. In This Episode:-02:13: Company Philosophy: Taking Care of Each Other and the Customer -03:31: A Tour of Mission Design and Automation -07:06: Innovation and Leadership at Mission -13:43:: Building a Creative and Collaborative Company Culture -16:15: Ryan's Career Journey and Advice for Young Professionals -19:39: Fostering a Successful Environment for Interns -25:28: Technology's Impact on Employee Experience -32:23: Future Goals and Industry Impact More About Ryan Lillibridge:Ryan has over 19 years of experience in the automation industry, In his role as VP of Mission Design and Automation, Ryan oversees the business development, sales, and engineering teams, and ensures that they deliver high-quality and innovative products that meet their clients' needs and expectations. Ryan is passionate about creating solutions that improve efficiency, productivity, and quality in different industries, and he is always eager to learn new technologies and trends. Ryan values teamwork, collaboration, and diversity, and he strives to create a positive and inclusive work environment for Mission Design and Automation staff and stakeholders. Learn more about Ryan or connect with him here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

From building machines to building Apple iPhones, Roman Piszcz (Founder of Quotebeam) has a lot of experience in creating products and helping businesses find real solutions. It was from his personal passion for creating a better way for companies to purchase products. This week on Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Roman and Nikki Gonzales to discuss in more detail about his passion for entrepreneurship, what it means to hire "intraprenuers" and how start up companies can leverage the interviewing process to identify and hire leading talent. Roman and Nikki also share their unique perspectives on the benefits of remote work, how automation and machine learning apps empower people to focus on more meaningful work and why providing tools for ownership is crucial to organizational success in the digital era. In This Episode:-03:06 Roman's Journey and QuoteBeam's Origin -18:03 Exploring The Spirit of Entrepreneurship -29:59 Evaluating Candidates Via An Interviewing Question About Climate Change -31:03 Unlocking Interview Tactics To Assess Critical Thinking-31:56 Hiring Fresh Graduates: A Unique Approach -36:05 The Future of Workforce and Technology -38:57 The Evolution of Communication -55:47 Building and Retaining High-Performing Teams More About Roman Piszcz:Throughout his career, Roman always designed machines using two principles: simplicity and performance. These two principles brought about the inception of Quotebeam. Although the machines he was designing were using state-of-the-art technologies, Roman realized that the process of designing them was extremely fragmented and inefficient. Recognizing these engineering and procurement gaps in parts search, sourcing, and vendor collaboration marked his first efforts in automating these processes. During the five years before taking Quotebeam full time in early 2021, Roman led a team at Apple's iPhone & Core Technologies manufacturing operations. That experience amplified his belief of the importance of data transparency and supplier collaboration, and led to the beginning of Quotebeam as a company. Learn more and connect with Roman here. About Nikki Gonzales:Nikki has a unique mix of skills including growing SaaS startups and direct experience as a field Sales Engineer in industrial automation for Festo and Keyence. After a series of meetings over a few years from Silicon Valley to Seattle, a couple of babies, a global pandemic, and a move to Texas, finally the stars aligned for Nikki to join Quotebeam full time! She's always loved problem solving and building things, so it led to a career in engineering sales spanning technologies such as Machine Vision, Pneumatics & Mechatronics, Computational Electromagnetics, and AI & Data Analytics, to name a few. Learn more and connect with Nikki here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

In this season 5 opener of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt sits down with Jeff Kondel, Founder and Executive Director of ROOTS Education Company. They discuss Jeff's journey into robotics and his dedication to integrating advanced automation and robotics into educational systems, spanning from elementary schools to universities. Jeff shares insights on how Roots Education is bridging the gap between technology and meaningful work for students. Jeff also highlights impactful projects, like the use of robotics in health care and other applications for robotics beyond industrial use cases. Lastly, we hear more on career advice from Jeff for aspiring roboticist and engineers, alike. In This Episode:-03:51: The Origin Story of ROOTS Education -14:48 Robotics Applications Outside of Industrial Manufacturing -25:59 Collaboration in Workforce Development -27:13 Automation vs. Human Resources -34:50 Success Stories in Automation More About Jeffrey Kondel:With over 20 years of experience in Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics including Automotive, Medical Device and Food/Beverage, Jeff is passionate about bringing robotics training to all ages and assists manufacturers in achieving their goals to build efficient, data driven manufacturing operations. To serve the specific needs of Academia, ROOTS Engineering has created a product and curriculum to advance industrial skills in manufacturing using automation, with the goal of bridging the gap between local industry and the competencies of our future workforce. ROOTS Engineering works to bridge that gap by placing collaborative robots and training into academia, from middle school to advanced technical programs which help filter and prepare students for their future interests. To learn more about Jeff, connect with him here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

Is it truly the end of document as we know it? Bryan Bauw, COO of Pico MES thinks so and on this episode of Workforce 4.0, Ann Wyatt is in conversation on Bryan on how the future of work is being drastically changed through the adaption of technology for the dreaded documentation process. Bryan also shares his journey from starting as an industrial engineer to becoming a prominent figure on the manufacturing scene, the evolution and digitalization of manufacturing and the role of AI in the future of our favorite industry sector. In This Episode:-03:27 The Evolution of Manufacturing and Technology -07:20 Teaching and Networking in Manufacturing -11:05 Digitization in Manufacturing: The Future is Now -20:18 The Evolution of Automation Systems -21:24 Exploring the Differences: Automation vs. Robotics -22:53 AI in Manufacturing: Current and Future Applications -28:02 Industrial Automation and Robotics: Practical Implementations -31:46 Balancing Standardization and Innovation More About Bryan Bauw:Bryan Bauw is Chief Operating Officer of Pico MES, a software startup that helps manufacturers improve their productivity. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Alabama and a Strategic Advisor to venture-backed manufacturing startups. Bryan has nearly two decades of experience leading advanced manufacturing teams and product development in high-growth businesses, startups and VC investments.Prior to joining Pico MES, Bryan was Head of Manufacturing and Partner at Prime Movers Lab, Director of Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and Technology and General Manager at Collins Aerospace and held various manufacturing and business roles at GKN Aerospace. To learn more about Bryan, connect with him here.

In this episode of Workforce 4.0, host Ann Wyatt interviews Lori Harbor, Principal of Wipfli. Lori shares her journey into the manufacturing industry, ignited by her father, and her passion for revitalizing North American manufacturing. They discuss the importance of a strategic approach to HR, succession planning, and building a strong company culture. Lori emphasizes the role of technology and diversity in manufacturing, and the challenges of competing with other industries for talent. They also touch on the significance of community engagement and educating the younger generation about manufacturing careers. Lori highlights insights from her book, 'Tradition Meets Transformation,' and her efforts to raise awareness about the critical state of manufacturing in the U.S.In This Episode:-08:09 Challenges in Manufacturing and HR Integration-14:07 Succession Planning in Manufacturing-28:19 The Impact of Manufacturing on Local Economies-30:27 Challenges in the Manufacturing Sector-37:53 Building a Better Company Culture-44:13 Promoting Diversity in Manufacturing-49:20 Conclusion and Ways to ConnectMore About Laurie HarbourThroughout her distinguished career, Laurie has been instrumental in guiding companies through periods of transformation, leveraging her expertise in lean manufacturing, strategic planning, and organizational development to drive sustainable growth and competitiveness. Her insights into the evolving landscape of workforce management in the era of Industry 4.0 offer invaluable perspectives for businesses navigating the complexities of modern manufacturing. To date, Laurie is the Principal of Wipfli. To learn more about Laurie, connect with her here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

From rocking Warped Tour to rocking the way that we train the next generation of manufacturing talent, Peter Costa, CEO and Founder of Baltu Technologies, has always done things on his own terms. On this week's episode of Workforce 4.0, Peter sits down with Ann Wyatt to share more about how he took inspiration from YouTube and the way that he learned in a classroom setting and developed a unique training platform that is making manufacturing skills accessible for all. We also deep dive into Peter's love for music and physics and how that has shaped his concept of the evolution of the manufacturing workforce. In This Episode:-Peter shares his thoughts on how technology has impacted our daily lives and how the evolution of technology in manufacturing is becoming more embedded into the way that we work (~timestamp 13:05)-Peter shares his own story of how he was inspired by video learning throughout his college career and how he hopes that his shared experience impacts hands on learners of the manufacturing workforce (~timestamp 18:31)-Peter talks more in depth about the shrinking labor pool in manufacturing and how short term training solutions can provide a pathway for a more sustainable manufacturing workforce and local economies (~timestamp 27:59) More About Peter:Peter Costa is the CEO and co-founder of Baltu Technologies. He is a seasoned tech entrepreneur with a passion for employing technology to solve real-world problems. Early on he was exposed to computers, science, and technology, thanks to his father's work in designing and building supercomputers. This early immersion has shaped his professional pursuits and fostered a lifelong passion for innovation. At Baltu Technologies, Peter merges his diverse experiences to accelerate the development of a skilled workforce. As a recognized thought leader, Peter has spoken at conferences across the United States, Abu Dhabi, and China. Throughout his career, Peter's love for building things has evolved into a mission to create technological solutions that better people's lives, making him a driving force in using entrepreneurship and technology to help drive positive social impact. Connect and learn more about Peter here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

Creativity in manufacturing comes in all forms and for Paul Miklautsch, Soloprenuer at BOLDR Project Management, design thinking is a key part of creating strong processes and strong workforces. On this episode of Workforce 4.0, we learn more from Paul on the concept of design thinking and how implementing that strategy to your manufacturing business to build your team can lead to success in building a solid foundation for your workforce. Paul also shares more with host, Ann Wyatt, on what it means to be BOLD in manufacturing and how we can all make positive changes every day. In This Episode:- Paul shares how design thinking has become a must have business tool for not only creating a more efficient business, but also a more empowered and successful workforce (~timestamp 7:29)- Paul shares his own thoughts on how both individuals and businesses can be bold in manufacturing and how we can make incremental impacts through baby steps (~timestamp 12:44)-Paul talks in depth about the power of influence and how everyone in leadership is an industry influencer. He also shares his own tips on what successful influencing looks like and how it impacts your company culture (~timestamp 22:50)More About Paul:Paul believes that every product, every service, every experience should be purposeful and add value to customers. That's why he works with leaders at B2B manufacturing companies to help them focus and advocate for customers. Through the course of his career, Paul has discovered that the path to better innovation is through strong product management. Paul helps organizations understand the benefit of product management, add the role in their processes, and help professionally develop product managers to a higher standard of excellence. Maximizing your product management capabilities means maximizing the value you deliver customers through more purposeful innovation. Connect with Paul directly here to learn more. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

Culture is a hot topic in manufacturing and a topic that is near and dear to TCO Strategies owner and fellow podcaster, Jim Mayer';s heart. On this episode of Workforce 4.0, Ann Wyatt sits down with Jim for a one on one conversation on the impacts that culture has on your organization from a recruiting perspective as well as the financial impacts that poor culture can have on your organization. Most importantly, Jim offers real suggestions on how companies can improve their culture. In This Episode:-We learn more about how Jim helps companies shift their culture mindset and adopt healthy habits to create healthy cultures (~timestamp 16:56)-Jim shares how he works with his clients directly in order to create metrics for healthy and financially stable cultures (~timestamp 19:14)-Jim talks in depth on the value of transparency and how leading conversations through transparency have had positive effects on his client's employees (~27:43)More About Jim:In the manufacturing world, Jim is your go-to guy for turning 'just okay' workplaces into environments where everyone thrives. His journey began over 20 years ago in the skilled trades. Today, as the founder of TCO Strategies, he's all about helping manufacturers craft teams that don't just function but excel. Jim also hosts the very popular podcast, Manufacturing Culture Podcast. Learn more and connect with Jim here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

It all started when Amy Teal and Mike Franz met up for coffee. That's how the origin of ShopFloor Coffee was born. Now, with names like "Red Shop Towel" and "First Shift," ShopFloor Coffee is leveraging their workforce themed coffee and their passion for workforce development to give a portion of their proceeds back to keep fueling critical training programs to fight the skills gap. In this week's episode, join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with ShopFloor Coffee CoFounders, Amy Teal and Mike Franz to hear more about their passion for workforce development, how technology is already impacting the lives of our younger generations and how we can all make an impact in creating a better manufacturing future. In This Episode:-As an industry veteran of 3D printing, Amy gives us her thoughts on how 3D printing and additive manufacturing are going to continue to be a huge part of the future of manufacturing (~timestamp 9:18)-Amy and Mike talk in depth on the importance of their mission for ShopFloor Coffee and how they are continuing to partner with agencies like SkillsUSA, NCATC and Skill Up Arizona (~timestamp 15:17)-Amy and Mike share their thoughts on how we're innovating the way that we train our manufacturing workforce and how that is very different than years past (~timestamp 25:08)More About ShopFloor Coffee:"Not your regular coffee cult." At ShopFloor Coffee, we're more than just a coffee brand; we're on a mission to make a real impact in the world of manufacturing education. Our passion is to bridge the gap between industry needs and education, empowering the next generation of skilled professionals. Every cup you enjoy with us contributes to this mission. A portion of our proceeds is dedicated to supporting organizations committed to advancing manufacturing education. Together, we're shaping the future of this industry through knowledge, skills, and opportunity. Join us in this journey! Connect with our community of coffee lovers who are equally passionate about education and industry growth. Together, we can brew success, one sip at a time. To learn more visit ShopFloor Coffee. Or, connect with Amy Teal and Mike Franz directly. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

As the former CEO of BILSTEIN ThyssenKrupp, Fabian Schmahl not only understands the value of stakeholders, but the value of people. Today, Fabian acts as a Managing Partner for Bold Promises Delivered, and continues to advocate for Industry 4.0 and people over process. Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down for a one on one conversation with Fabian to learn more on what it means to win big for people through technology and how those win impact an organization's ROI at scale. In This Episode:-Fabian shares what it means to win as a CEO by explaining the key differences between "shareholder" and "stakeholder" and leveraging relationships between your community, partnering agencies and internal workforce to identify and eliminate lower value tasks (~timestamp 6:55)-We learn more on how Fabian successfully implemented culture changes and how manufacturing organizations can begin to initiate culture changes to improve recruiting efforts and retention rates (~timestamp 11:13)-With all of the buzz surrounding Industry 4.0, Fabian drops his best practices for separating good information from the noise and for manufacturing leadership interested in driving innovation through technology (~timestamp 25:20)More About Fabian Schmahl:Fabian is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of growing business excellence experience in the plastics, rubber and automotive industries. He began his career in 1997 as a Management Trainee at Thyssen Henschel Industrietechnik in Germany, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become Production Manager and Vice President in the United States. After later serving as Executive VP at HF Rubber Machinery, Fabian entered the Tier 1 automotive sector as President & CEO of thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN of America, Inc. where he led the development and manufacture of premium quality, high-performance automotive suspension solutions. During his 15+ year tenure at BILSTEIN, Fabian led the company through 5 major expansions, expanded its workforce by 600+ employees, and facilitated the planning, testing and plant-wide deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies. In 2015, he received the German-American Friendship Award on behalf of the German Ambassador recognizing outstanding service to German-American relations. In 2016, he was named in Cincy Magazine's 75/71 Business Hall of Fame, and in 2018 he received the Civic Leadership Award honoring Cincinnati leaders for “demonstrated leadership, professional achievement, and continuous, invaluable contributions to their community.” In 2020, he was inducted into the Greater Butler County Business Hall of Fame. Fabian remains committed to the advancement of Industry 4.0/5.0 and firmly believes "you must automate to innovate." Connect and learn more about Fabian here. The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

It all started in a cornfield. That is the how Mike White, Founder of Secchi.io, began his mission to create a solution that has been haunting the manufacturing HR world for decades- how do we let great workers do great work? On this Season 4 opener of Workforce 4.0, join your host Ann Wyatt as she talks one on one with Mike about the the day to day challenges that manufacturing HR executives are faced with, why that's important to recruiting and retention in our industry and why manufacturing operations should care. In this up front conversation between two people that love people and HR, we learn more about how utilizing gamification, incentives and easy to follow guidelines for our industry supervisors are shaping the way that we work- for the better! In This Episode:-Mike shares his passion for the frontline leader and offers challenges and solutions that allow HR to finally get out of the way of our frontline leadership and let great leaders lead (~timestamp 7:01)-We learn more about Mike's own career journey from playing sports growing up, to getting an early start in tech through a school web club and finally, how Mike ended up becoming the dynamic HR leader he is today- including leading 60+ manufacturing facilities across the globe (~timestamp 17:06)-Mike shares some of the results that he has had through popular HR strategies such as gamification and incentives and how we can improve retention rates and build stronger manufacturing cultures (~timestamp 23:07)More About Mike White:Mike is a Data-Driven Decision Maker who is passionate for data based decision-making utilizing six sigma methodology. His prior work experience includes results in recruitment, labor efficiency, training, consulting, and turnover reduction. As an HR Leadership and Business Partner with the responsibility of 60+ manufacturing facilities globally (including Fortune 500 brands), Mike has led a human resource team, including managers, supervisors, generalists, recruiters, trainers, coordinators, and operations managers. Mike holds a Master's Degree of Human Resources and Industrial Relations, and is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations. All of this has led Mike to become the founder of Secchi.io, where they provide clarity for HR professionals and frontline leaders to make data-driven performance decisions, simplified. By tracking more than just discipline, Secchi is a software that provides visibility of team performance, removes the barriers of administrative tasks, and increases productivity. To learn more about Mike, connect with him here.The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

How is a self described "serial entrepreneur" bringing her passion for business and creative design to the forefront of the robotics industry? This question and more is revealed on this week's episode of Workforce 4.0 as Kim Losey, Chief Growth Officer of Rapid Robotics sits down with Ann Wyatt to discuss the importance of creative design in business and how creativity is shaping the future of the way that we work. Joined by special guest co-host Ryan Treece, we uncover more about Kim's own career journey and more key insights that you don't want to miss! In This Episode:-Kim shares what her favorite use cases for implementing technology like robotics and advice for driving real business value by being genuine in creating solutions (~timestamp 13:34)-Kim talks in depth about her role as a being a creative entrepreneur and how her creative skills have led to her own successful career growth by learning to share the stories of others (~timestamp 25:51)-Kim shares her insights on the future of work and how remote monitoring will one day lead to more flexible work and the greater impact that will have on women in manufacturing and diversity recruiting (~timestamp 37:08)More About Kim Losey:Kim is a catalyst for business growth and impact with a deep appreciation for the power of a brand, She's passionate about leading diverse global teams and demonstrating exponential business growth through creative vision, strong strategic leadership, and insight-based global marketing programs. She's an innovative problem solver, a trusted business partner, and a champion for cross-functional collaboration with proven versatility across teams that span high creative to in-depth technical. With experience leading businesses large and small, across industries and consumer targets, she brings a persistent pursuit of awesome and inspiration to everything she does. Kim currently serves as the CGO for Rapid Robotics. To learn more about Kim, connect with her here. To learn more about Rapid Robotics, visit them here.The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

When it comes to the transformative power of technology and how tech is shaping the way that we work, Jack Nehlig, President of Phoenix Contact is far from a stranger. Conversely, Jack is quite the innovator in this space just as much as Phoenix Contact is continuing to innovate industrial automation. In this episode, join our host, Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Jack to talk more about how Jack is not only keeping his company's products at the center of solutions driven tech, but also how Jack is keeping his workforce centric to adopting technology day to day. Joined by guest co-host, Ryan Treece, this episode of Workforce 4.0 is one that you certainly don't want to miss!In This Episode:-Listen to how Jack shares how the impact of digitalization has only fueled his own determination in creating internal workforce development programs to up skill employees (~timestamp 22:27)- Jack shares what his inspiration and motivation is behind being one of manufacturing's most well known leaders and a "champion of the people" (~timestamp 30:47)-Learn what skills Jack is always recruiting for and how Phoenix Contact adopts transferrable skills (~timestamp 34:35)More About Jack Nehlig:Jack Nehlig was named President of Phoenix Contact USA in November of 2001. He is responsible for Phoenix Contact's operations in the United States, comprising the U.S. sales subsidiary and the Group Center of Competence for the Americas. In addition to his U.S. responsibilities, he became a member of the Phoenix Contact Group Executive Committee in 2016. ack serves on the Board of Governors of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). He holds a B.S. in Industrial Distribution from Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y., and an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix in Arizona. To learn more about Jack, connect with him here. See solutions provided by Phoenix Contact here.The Future of Work (and this Episode) Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

How is Augmented Reality going to shape the way that we work in manufacturing? On this week's episode of Workforce 4.0, our host Ann Wyatt sits down with Angela Ortiz to learn more about how work instructions are not only going digital, but impacting recruiting and retention strategies, addressing resource challenges and scaling and the impact that partnerships have on influencing career goals. In This Episode:-Angela shares how manufacturing companies are leveraging AI to assist in finding and capturing their triable knowledge repositories to revolutionize and define work instructions that will enable the next generation of the workforce (~timestamp 12:47)-Angela talks more in depth about how HR is influencing and leading impactful conversations with their manufacturing teams in order to drive and champion digital change for the frontline workforce and how this technology can play a critical role in recruiting, training and development (~timestamp 16:34)-Angela talks about the power of partnerships in manufacturing and how her own career journey in manufacturing has evolved from Business and Project Management into a successful CoFounder (~timestamp 19:36)More About Angela Ortiz:Angela is a strong heart-centered business professional with a passion for helping companies identify and solve their pressing challenges using AR and smart glass technology. Angela and Javier Ortiz created NewForge to be a comprehensive resource for onboarding, training, and implementing new processes and technology solutions for companies of all sizes. To learn more about Angela, connect with her here. This Episode of The Future of Work Is Brought To You By Secchi:Secchi is a revolutionary workforce engagement tool created for organizations to make data-driven frontline decisions in real-time. By measuring and combining multiple people-related lead indicators, Secchi provides in-the-moment visibility into individual frontline employee performance, team performance, engagement/turnover risks, and positive employee behaviors all while removing the traditional barriers of administrative burden on leaders. To learn more about Secchi, check them out here.

What's it like to be a robot boss and why is this an exciting new career of the future of work? Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Florian Pestoni, Co-Founder and CEO of InOrbit AI to learn more about how manufacturing companies and supply chain companies are utilizing cutting edge cloud technology to enable the workforce of the future. Joined by Ryan Treece as a guest co-host, Ryan and Ann go in depth with Florian to talk more about his experience as a Founder of multiple companies, his advice for the future of the workforce and some hot takes on pizza, music and what manufacturing jobs could look like in the next 10-15 years. In This Episode:-Florian and Ann share their mutual love for working with start up companies and Florian gives his unique perspective for members of the audience interested in what an average day looks like as a Founder (~timestamp 5:42)-Florian shares his top advice for candidates that are interested in working for a startup company and shares what that advice has in common with one of his passions- pizza (~timestamp 11:13)-Florian goes into detail more about what it will be like interacting with robots as our coworkers of the future and shares how that will impact every industry (~timestamp 26:36)More About Florian Pestoni:Florian is an accomplished business leader and author, with hands-on experience bringing innovative products to market. As InOrbit's CEO and co-founder, Florian leads strategy, fundraising and go-to-market activities. He is passionate about raising awareness around the new category of RobOps, sharing his compelling vision for the evolution of robotics and the future of work. He is also a co-founder of the Robot Operations Group, a community-led organization of experts in scaling robot deployments. Florian is an investor, advisor, board member, and mentor to young startup founders. To learn more about Florian, connect with him here. More About InOrbit AI: InOrbit is the leading provider of SaaS RobOps - DevOps for robotics. InOrbit offers a secure, scalable, cloud-based robot management and analytics platform that enables robotics companies and their customers to develop, deploy and operate smart robots at global scale. Our platform is designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing programs and other services, bringing RobOps to scale. InOrbit's mission is to enable a world where humans, robots and AI work together to drive radical productivity improvements and enable people to reach new heights. Learn more about InOrbit AI here.

Manufacturing careers are for everyone, especially creatives! In this episode, we dive into the intersection of manufacturing innovation and the perspectives of the Gen Z workforce. Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Jacob Sanchez, the MFGKid, for a dynamic conversation about the roles of creativity in the future of work, what Gen Z values in their career development and how we can continue to make an impact for the next generations.Featuring Ryan Treece as the guest co-host, tune in as we explore how Gen Z is revolutionizing manufacturing. From embracing emerging technologies to advocating for sustainability and diversity within the sector. Whether you're a seasoned industry professional or simply curious about the future of manufacturing, this episode promises to offer thought-provoking insights and inspiration.In This Episode:-Jacob shares his passion for the nonprofit program, FIRST Robotics and how he has seen this robotics competition impact kids of all ages at a deep level (~timestamp 9:44)-Jacob shares his insights on recruiting more members of the Gen Z workforce into the manufacturing industry by expressing what motivates them (~timestamp 18:57)-Jacob shares the one word that describes the Gen Z workforce and how being upfront with people and embracing empathy can help bridge the gap between the workforce generations (~timestamp 39:47)More About Jacob Sanchez:Jacob's passion for changing people's lives, no matter their age or experience, is why he stays connected with his industry and stays engaged with his community. Jacob began his career as an Application Engineer and has successfully grown his own brand to include hosting educational content for MSC, being featured at industry events and working exclusively as a digital creator. Jacob continues to bring his talent and passion for this industry to his clients by developing individualized winning social media strategies that improve company brands and speak to multiple generations. To learn more, connect with Jacob here.About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:How many times over the last few years have we heard the words, "supply chain" and what types of jobs can we expect to be trending amongst the future of the supply chain landscape? Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Tom Brouillette from OTIS Supply Chain Consulting as they answer this question and tackle some of the other topics related to this rapidly growing industry. In This Episode:-After spending decades in the Supply Chain Industry, Tom shares his thoughts on where the supply chain is heading over the next 10 years in beyond (~timestamp 8:06)-Tom speaks in depth about the importance of product and packaging sustainability and how we're embarking on the age of the circular economy (~timestamp 14:55)-Tom shares some advice for the younger generations of the workforce and how to ensure that you continue to grow personally and professionally (~timestamp 32:27)More About Tom Brouillette:Tom leads professional services and solutions for digital transformation focused on supply chain intelligence through advanced visibility analytics. With over 15 years of experience in supply chain management, logistics, and technology, he has the expertise and vision to help clients achieve their unique business objectives and priorities by developing and implementing resilient and agile strategic roadmaps that deliver value, efficiency, and innovation based on regular evaluation of market and industry disruptions and changing priorities. To learn more, connect with Tom here.More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:When Ryan Treece began pursing his educational path at Western Michigan University, he had a very limited scope of what career opportunities actually existed in the world of manufacturing outside of engineering roles. Flash forward a decade later and Ryan has certainly earned his role as a Business Development Manager of his company, Telit. Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down for a deep dive on Ryan's own career journey through manufacturing on this exciting season 3 opener of Workforce 4.0. Learn more about this self identified "Nerdy IOT Guy's" own personal relationship with how he incorporates data into his health, how he found his calling and how he continues to inspire others. Also hear more about what it means to him to be featured as a top Industry 4.0 Influencer.In This Episode:-Ryan shares how he was recruited out of school for his first manufacturing job and how the allure of selling lasers caught his attention straight away (~time stamp 12:28)-Ryan talks in depth about his personal health journey and how technology has helped him be successful in his career, how he shares that as an Industry 4.0 Influencer and how manufacturers can also think of technology aiding their human workforce in innovative ways (~timestamp 19:28)-We talk briefly about how small and medium sized manufacturers can incorporate their legacy machinery and assets into new and emerging technology (~timestamp 19:28)More About Ryan Treece:Ryan Treece brings 14 years of experience in Industrial Automation & Manufacturing to his role as the Chair of the Cloud & Edge Technical Committee for ISA's Smart Manufacturing & IIoT Division. In addition to his leadership at ISA, he is a Co-Founder of the Industry 4.0 Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the technological future of manufacturing. Serving as the Business Development Manager for Telit Cinterion's IIoT Edge & Cloud Software Platforms division, Ryan is a key figure in the implementation of cutting-edge Industry 4.0 solutions. To learn more about Ryan, connect with him here. More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:Launched in 2016, KTECH has awarded more than 300 certifications. In 16 weeks KTECH students earn 4 industry recognized certifications to meet the increasing demands of our manufacturing rich community. KTECH is meeting a need in the non-profit sector that no other organization is serving, connecting people to careers. Taking Kids to Love from grassroots to a global outreach has landed Lee on the list of the 500 Most Influential CEO's in the World. Lee has been named an “Angel in Adoption” by Congress and honored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for her adoption awareness efforts. Kids to Love was named the Women-Owned Business of the year with the Huntsville – Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Lee has also been honored by the Alabama Broadcaster's Association for her journalistic contributions and was named one of 2017 Women Who Shape The State. 2019 Entrepreneur of the year in Huntsville, 2019 Non Profit Executive of the Year and 2020 Woman of Impact Honoree.In This Episode:-Lee drops her pro tip for those interested in starting their own non profit training program in their local area and credits the power of networking to KTECH's continued success (~time stamp 11:58)-Lee talks about being comfortable being a disruptor in the training space and how KTECH's success story is one for the underdogs (~timestamp 13:02)-In addition to providing advanced technical skills to underserved children, Lee also shares how they incorporate their training initiatives with soft skills development as part of their Life Lab (~time stamp 13:02) More About Lee Marshall:Lee Marshall's purpose and passion is to advocate for youth living in foster care. Lee was born into foster care and adopted at the age of 2, so she knows firsthand the difference adoption can make. Through her Kids to Love Foundation, which meets the needs of foster children, Lee is changing the trajectory of young lives. Connect with Lee to learn more here. More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:When I first met Mike Yost through the Industry 4.0 Club, I remember being so inspired by his passion for people his commitment to making sure that they're the focus of all digital transformation. After learning more about his work through his own nonprofit, IGBYS and his work regionally, nationally and globally, I can personally testify that Mike Yost is the manufacturing man! Mike's tenure with manufacturing nonprofits exceeds those ventures. He has also been involved with organizations such as MESA and continues to support the work carried out through CESMII. Through all of his endeavors, his main mission continues to be connecting industry experts, solution providers and just people of the manufacturing community and developing connections far deeper than any internet stream.In This Episode:-It's been said many times that your "network is your net worth," and Mike Yost is no exception to this rule. Learn more about how Mike has built and leverage his own network to not only develop his leadership skills, but also to advance the manufacturing industry as a whole. (~timestamp 10:39)-Mike shares why his continued support in the Industry 4.0 Club is crucial to the education and knowledge sharing of the manufacturing industry. Mike goes on to provide key advice in the importance of educating each other and practicing active listening of our network providers. (~timestamp 15:30)-Mike shares his hot take on digital transformation and why the moment for implementing technology with people at the center of this process in more of our manufacturing facilities is critical to the continued success of our industry (~timestamp 16:34)More About Mike Yost:Mike Yost is a trusted IT/OT leader, messenger, advisor with 30+ years of industrial, commercial and leadership experience in Industrial Automation/Software. In short, he grew up with software on the plant floor and help scale its impact throughout the business. Mike is passionate spokesman and speaker, skilled at message creation, adaptation and delivery. Mike is also dedicated to helping manufacturers compete, leveraging modern software solutions to drive performance. Connect and learn more about Mike here.More About Industry 4.0 Club:Industry 4.0 Club is a dynamic, growth-oriented community that brings together professionals from diverse backgrounds to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation within the realm of Industry 4.0.Our members include practitioners, technology providers, consultants, and thought leaders united by their passion for the advancement of smart manufacturing solutions. By hosting engaging events, insightful discussions, and providing a platform for networking, we empower our members to forge connections, learn from one another, and shape the future of sustainable and efficient manufacturing practices. Learn more about the work Industry 4.0 Club is facilitating here.

Episode Notes:It's hard to imagine someone more passionate about technology and workforce development in the manufacturing community than the one and only Will Healy! Will has made his own identity as "Will I Automate" on numerous social platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn and Tik Tok. His dedication to the industry through serving on panels about technology, product marketing and workforce development have also lead to most of us thinking of him as our big bro. Always eager to help and always informative and educational, Will joins our host, Ann Wyatt for in depth look at how investing in technology is driving value as an investment in our manufacturing workforce, too.In This Episode:-Will gives us his industry insights into what he feels like are the biggest technology disrupters for the manufacturing industry and how they are aiding in bridging the workforce talent gap (~timestamp 7:02)-Will shares his thoughts on how manufacturing companies will need to be more versatile and agile in their training techniques (~timestamp 14:31)-Will shares his passion for evangelizing the manufacturing industry and shares tips on how manufacturing industry partners such as NAM, AMEP and other local area organizations are critical to driving success in creating a future talent pipeline (~timestamp 18:52)More About Will Healy:Will is passionate about people-centric technology, helping others find value in automation, building our talent pipeline and working to improve manufacturing productivity. When we work together, Will brings innovative automation concepts, proven solutions and fresh workforce insights that can dramatically change how you work, raising your competitive position. Will does this from the US in the Cincinnati/NKY metro but loves to travel and see how stuff is made around the world. To learn more about Will, connect with him here.More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:This week on Workforce 4.0, we are extremely honored to be hosting Mike Nager, with the Solution Center of Festo Didactic. Mike is not only a 3x published author but a 4x Top IIOT and Industry 4.0 Influencer and has some solid experience in leading the way when it comes to Digital Transformation and smart manufacturing. A champion of workforce development, Mike has long been advocating for diversity in the manufacturing workforce and finding solutions to overcome the impending skills gap.In This Episode:-Mike shares his own experiences working within a multigenerational workforce but gently reminds us all that the key to success is overcoming road blocks by finding new and innovative paths with emerging technology (~timestamp 15:36)-Mike describes the realistic outcome of Industry 4.0 and how we, as consumers, are already experiencing Industry 4.0 manufacturing within our own communities (~timestamp 20:54)-Mike shares his passion for sharing the exciting opportunities offered through manufacturing careers with younger generations by discussing his why behind authoring his children's book, "All About Smart Manufacturing" (~timestamp 22:30)More About Mike Nager:For years Mike worked in Sales and Marketing for some of the most innovative industry controls companies in the world. He has helped manufacturers to optimize their operations, heading towards Industry 4.0 before we had the term for it. He currently enables hundreds of US manufacturers to become more efficient and profitable to successfully compete worldwide against best-of-class competitors. Connect with Mike here, to learn more! More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:If "The Fearless Frontline" is not gracing your bookshelf as a valuable blueprint for frontline workforce design, this episode is sure to be a treat! Ann Wyatt sits down with the nationally acclaimed and top ranked business book, Ray Attiyah to learn more about the origin story for the book's inception and how the #fearlessfactory in Cincinnati, OH brought "The Fearless Frontline" to life.In This Episode:-Ray begins our conversation unpacking what he defines as a "fearless culture" and a "fearless" frontline and shares deep insights into how to nurture that culture within your own organization (~timestamp 5:08)-Ray shares his top tool for jobseekers that are interested in assessing future employment opportunities by critically analyzing design thinking as an HR function (~timestamp 12:45)-Ray shares his absolute trademark for assessing an industry top performer for hiring managers with in the manufacturing industry (~timestamp 30:31)More About Ray Attiyah:Inspired by his desire to train and seek break through improvements Ray founded Definity Partners (formerly Midwest Manufacturing Solutions/MMS) in 1996 and is currently the Chief Innovation Officer. Ray is also an accomplished author having written several articles for various industry journals and having launched his first book in March of 2013 entitled The Fearless Front Line: The Key to Liberating Leaders to Improve and Grow Their Business. To learn more about Ray, connect with him here.More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:This week on Workforce 4.0, Ann Wyatt sits down with the VP of Marketing of Dexterity, Michael Perry. Join us for this conversation on breaking down how Michael's experience in the robotics industry has brought new perspectives on what happens when a little bit of technology is mixed with a little bit of creativity from our human workforce in manufacturing.In This Episode:-Michael gives his hot take on how automation is supplementing automation and freeing your human workforce for "more meaningful work" (~timestamp 11:16)-Michael gives us his powerful feedback on how companies interested in increasing automation within their facilities can successfully do so with their human workforce alongside cutting edge technology (~timestamp 20:30)-Michael gets candid on how the robotics industry is constantly evolving their design efforts in order to better accomodate the humans working alongside them, operating them and repairing them (~timestamp 27:43)More About Michael Perry:Michael works with companies, creators, and innovators across the world to deploy cutting-edge mobile robots. He is currently the VP of Marketing for Dexterity Robots and is a long time robotics enthusiast. To connect with Michael click here.More About Dexterity:Dexterity helps people thrive and grow by freeing them to do work that humans do best. For warehouse robotics, we focus on AI, machine learning, and platform-based robotic intelligence to make warehouses more productive, efficient, and safe. Learn more about Dexterity here.More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:When it comes to all things Industry 4.0, digital twins are at the top of a lot of talking points. So is the impending manufacturing skills gap and the supply chain. This week on Workforce 4.0, we sit down with CoFounder of SwipeGuide, Willemijn Schneyder, to have a more in depth conversation about how technology is creating more sustainability for our people and our processes in the world of manufacturing. In This Episode:-Women everywhere get some inspirational words of wisdom as we discover what keeps Willemijn focused and how we can all learn to speak kinder to our younger selves (~timestamp 1:49)- Willemijn offers value advice as she shares feedback from the minds of the frontline workforce and how our priorities are shifting when it comes to the way that we work in a post Covid world (~timestamp 6:12)-Learn more about the mission behind Willemijn's company, SwipeGuide, to bring more equity to the frontline workforce as a whole and why that is crucial to the future of work (~timestamp 32:53)More About Willemijn Schneyder:Willemijn is the Proud Founder & CEO of SwipeGuide. She is an innovator, entrepreneur, technologist, curiosist, and positivist. She is bringing simplicity in a world where complexity is assumed. Willemijn is a profound believer in the transformative power that comes from democratizing knowledge with crowdsourced technologies. Leveling the playing field and creating access is the cornerstone of creating a more inclusive and sustainable society. To learn more about Willemijn, connect with her here.More About SwipeGuide:We started SwipeGuide in 2015 to make it easier for frontline teams to work, learn, share and improve what they know. From our modest beginnings, we've grown into a multinational crew of digital natives on a mission: to build a future-proof frontline "how-to" platform that actually helps people get work done.The clear-cut platform lets you coordinate instructions, checklists, and training to standardize 50 different ways of doing the same thing. Share best practices across teams to drive efficiency and continuous improvement. Crowdsourced expertise keeps every process running: SwipeGuide captures the know-how of the best to remove the guesswork from the rest. Learn more about solutions provided by SwipeGuide here.More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:As the CEO of Raven, Martin Cloake knows a few things about digital transformation and continuous improvement. As a CoFounder of the Industry 4.0 Club, Ann has personally had the pleasure of working with Martin on hosting numerous conversations centering around people, process and culture. Join Ann as she interviews Martin in more in depth about how the frontline workforce is the most valuable asset to business value for manufacturing operations.In This Episode:-Martin shares his unique career that led him to becoming the CEO of Raven.AI and he shares his thoughts on the importance of manufacturing as a business of people (~timestamp 4:56)-Martin provides key insights into how companies can assess their readiness for implementation of digital transformation and industry 4.0 technology (~timestamp 12:52)-Martin delves into how to share the value of digital transformation and leading change management efforts for integrating technology into your organizations frontline workforce (~timestamp 22:05)More About Raven.ai:Raven.ai's mission is to set a new standard of work for the smart factory and its people, as the one source of truth that powers Industry 4.0 tech stacks throughout factories. Learn more about the industry 4.0 solutions provided by Raven.ai here.More About Martin Cloake:Martin is an experienced executive and award winning technology entrepreneur with a background in Manufacturing, Data Science, IP and Operations Management. He holds multiple patents and am a Mechanical Engineering graduate from McGill university in Montreal, Quebec. He publishes articles and posts regularly on the topics of Industry 4.0, Leadership, Manufacturing and Augmented Management. And, as he proudly and accurately suggests- is a decent follow (and a good guy). To connect and learn more about Martin, click here.More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts