How Manufacturers Improve

Hosted by Kirby Sneen

Business Management

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Welcome to How Manufacturers Improve, a Manufacturers Alliance podcast, where we help everyone who works in manufacturing become a better leader and problem solver so all manufacturers can remain competitive.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 18, 2026Episode 18122 min

Why Having the Best Products Isn't Enough

Having the best product on the market doesn't guarantee sales. In this episode, Kirby talks with Jen Roth, CEO of Blue Sparq Marketing, about an effective marketing strategy for manufacturers. Jen explains the full-funnel demand generation approach her team uses with manufacturing clients, why voice-of-customer research uncovers what really wins deals, how AI is reshaping search behavior, and why aligning sales and marketing around a shared strategy is the key to predictable, sustainable growth. If your manufacturing company has a great product but inconsistent results, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for closing the awareness gap! ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Attend a Community Group: https://www.mfrall.com/community/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610

August 4, 2026Episode 18022 min

Why Good Employees Stop Caring

In this episode, Betsy Roisen, Senior HR Manager at The Bernard Group, shares how manufacturing leaders can spot the early signs of disengagement, connect daily work to the bigger mission, and give employees the influence they need to stay invested. Listeners will walk away with practical ways to build trust, close the feedback loop, and prevent burnout before it starts. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Attend a Community Group: https://www.mfrall.com/community/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

July 21, 2026Episode 17927 min

Why Your Improvements Slowly Die

In this episode, Jeremiah Johnson, Global Lean Leader at Boston Scientific, joins Kirby to break down exactly why hard-won gains slowly disappear and what it takes to stop the backslide for good. Jeremiah brings a hard-earned perspective that goes far beyond the factory floor! ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Attend a Community Group: https://www.mfrall.com/community/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

July 7, 2026Episode 17824 min

Why the Same Problems Keep Coming Back

In this episode, Nathan Hole, Continuous Improvement Leader, reveals why manufacturers keep solving the wrong problems, and the mindset shifts that lead to root causes that actually stick. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Attend a Community Group: https://www.mfrall.com/community/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

June 23, 2026Episode 17723 min

Why Managers Wait Too Long to Address Bad Behavior

In this episode, Kirby Sneen & Monica Smith break down why managers avoid addressing bad behavior and the practical steps to act faster, stay consistent, and protect team culture. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Guest at a Community Group: https://www.mfrall.com/community/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

June 9, 2026Episode 17622 min

Habits That Manufacturing Leaders Must Master

In this episode, Pete Wolf, President of Robinson Rubber Products, breaks down the leadership habits manufacturing leaders must master to stay focused, build culture, and drive consistent results. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

May 26, 2026Episode 17528 min

Claims That Cost Manufacturers the Most (And How to Prevent Them)

In this episode, Steve Chismar and Zach Upgren of North Risk Partners break down the insurance claims that cost manufacturers the most, and the practical steps to prevent them before they strike. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

May 12, 2026Episode 17425 min

Project Management for Manufacturers

In this episode, manufacturing executive Rodd Joos breaks down how to prioritize the right projects, manage scope, build stronger teams, and use Scrum and Fibonacci sequencing to deliver faster. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

April 28, 2026Episode 17325 min

Capturing Tribal Knowledge

In this episode, Curt Gosser, Director of Operations at Farmers Union Industries, shares how manufacturers can stop losing tribal knowledge and build systems that keep critical process knowledge in the plant. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

April 14, 2026Episode 17228 min

AI Do's & Don'ts

In this episode, Angie Wittke, CEO of BlueNet, shares AI security essentials for manufacturers, reveals why automating chaos fails, and explains the foundation-first approach to implementation. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw