Episodes

  • The cornerstone of a thriving organization lies within its leadership. In this episode, we have the privilege of hearing the insights of a seasoned leader from the manufacturing industry, who will impart two of his 11 fundamental principles for fostering a strong team to cultivate success.

    Our distinguished guest, Scott Spencer, served as the recent president of Island Abbey Food Sciences, with an impressive career of 25 years solely dedicated to leadership and executive-level positions within the manufacturing industry. Throughout this episode, Scott will generously share his remarkable journey – from his military background to his pivot into the manufacturing sector – and the deep beliefs that form the foundation of his guiding principles.

    Join us in warmly welcoming Scott Spencer!

    00:37 - Introduction: Scott Spencer

    01:16 - Career Background

    05:54 - Scott’s first leadership lesson

    08:08 - From military to supply chain

    12:00 - Scott’s recruiting background

    14:10 - Behind the leadership principles

    15:51 - The worst thing Scott did in his career

    18:32 - Servant leadership

    21:21 - The beginning of leadership

    24:00 - Leading by example

    27:29 - First leadership principle: Integrity

    30:58 - The power of ownership32:23 - Second leadership principle: “They” is the four-letter word

    36:55 - Closing

    Connect with Scott Spencer:

    · Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-spencer-14191a122/

    Connect with Christina Stroud:

    · Schedule a 15-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/office-hours

    · Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/

    · Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/

    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41ArPmp

    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3Nn4ZZo

    iHeart: https://ihr.fm/3NvdFgu

    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3Xp6mv7

    Amazon/Audible:https://bit.ly/46hsVGa

  • In this exciting episode, we meet Richard Morris, a skilled leader and mentor who transitioned from the automotive industry to the aerospace field with SpaceX! We'll explore Rich's remarkable journey and learn valuable lessons for building a successful career. Rich shares his career tips to help you reach new heights and achieve great success.

    Want a sneak peek? Here are a few tips from Rich: 1) Build your professional network in the field you're interested in. 2) Stay humble, look for ways to help others, and contribute to your workplace. 3) Recognize your strengths and focus on using them effectively, rather than dwelling on your weaknesses, as your strengths are where you can provide the most value.

    This episode demands your undivided attention. Without further ado, let’s extend a warm welcome to the remarkable Rich Morris!

    00:40 - Introduction: Rich Morris

    01:29 - Career Journey

    02:49 - BMW journey

    03:39 - What drew Rich to cars and rockets?

    05:20 - Generation of automotive professionals

    06:10 - MBA decision

    08:25 - Rich’s unintentional move

    11:37 - Career advice from Rich

    14:21 - The power of influence

    15:20 - Three (3) steps for a successful career

    17:48 - Importance of self-awareness

    20:30 - The humble leader

    22:40 - “Create and develop folks that are better than you and leave the organization in better shape than you found it”.

    23:11 - Closing

    Connect with Richard Morris:

    · Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-morris-15786124/

    Connect with Christina Stroud

    · Schedule a 15-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/office-hours

    · Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/

    · Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/

    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41ArPmp

    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3Nn4ZZo

    iHeart: https://ihr.fm/3NvdFgu

    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3Xp6mv7
    Amazon/Audible:https://bit.ly/46hsVGa

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  • Get ready to unlock the secrets of business success that @David Friedson (star emoji) has used throughout his career. In this episode of @Manufacturing365, we dive into David’s world, a visionary leader who is known for planning and being intentional with business decisions.

    David built his career in Supply Chain using techniques for keeping his organization intact despite bumps in the business and the industry. Contingency planning for all of the functions he is responsible for, as well as his team members, suppliers, vendors and customers is one of his greatest strengths.

    Listen to our conversation and pick up some gold nuggets that might help your career or your business. And learn about heliskiing!

    00:00 - Introduction: David Friedson

    02:57 - David's career history

    05:09 - Inxeption’s business

    05:28 - What drew David to Inxeption?

    08:01 - Supply chain as a career choice

    09:05 - Lessons from his career

    10:14 - The value and art of delegating

    14:30 - Managing team members’ why

    17:28 - Communication: how David sees it’s more than a team meeting

    18:42 - CoVid: David’s preparation and planning

    20:34 - Contingency planning

    28:43 - Balance career and personal life

    30:21 - Adventures

    34:11 - Three (3) tips for your career

    39:30 - Hiring talent

    40:47 - Taking risks is the key to advancing your career

    42:01 - David’s mantra in life – “Be the person in the arena!”

    43:22 - Closing

    Connect with David Friedson:

    David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dfriedson/ Inxeption’s website: https://inxeption.com/

    Connect with Christina Stroud

    Schedule a 30-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/30-minute-discovery-call Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/ Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/
  • Reno Deaton is the Executive Vice President at Greer Development Corporation (GDC). In his role, Reno supports recruiting new businesses, supporting a company’s development, and growing the city to ensure it is enticing for companies to consider making Greer, SC home.

    In today’s episode, Reno shares his story and the unique ways the GDC and the manufacturing community work hand in hand to grow and developthe upstate of South Carolina. In addition to supporting current manufacturing sites, The GDC has specifically created programs that are entrepreneur friendly so that no matter the size of your company, the GDC can help.

    This episode is perfect for anyone who is looking for ways to grow their business. Reno and his team at the GDC are shining examples of how a community and a manufacturing business can support each other.

    00:29 – Welcome Reno Deaton01:28 – Reno’s Career Story03:40 - Reno a distinct guest for Manufacturing 36505:25 - Greer an Economic Development Organization07:39 - Reno’s favorite project09:09 – Greer’s impact in South Carolina11:30 - Challenges and opportunities of working with 2 different counties13:54 - Strategic efforts in creating unique programs that recruit and support new business16:09 - The Entrepreneurship Innovation Play16:59 - The Bootcamp: a 2-day immersive experience

    22:35 – How to find a similar role as a career25:38 - End

    Connect with Reno Deaton

    · Reno’s email: [email protected]

    · Reno on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reno-deaton-bb4b6a7/

    · Greer Development’s website: https://greerdevelopment.com/

    Connect with Christina Stroud

    · Set up a 30-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/30-minute-discovery-call

    · Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/

    · Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/

  • Over the last decades, personnel departments have been replaced by Human Resources departments, and todays’ guest would like to see HR continue to evolve into a new, strategic function called People & Culture.

    In this Episode, Ashley Larochelle shares her experience in creating an intentional culture within a growing business. She knew that as her company was moving from a distribution focus to a manufacturing focus, that the people were the key to making the strategic change a success.

    Her business mindset helps her create new and innovate ways to ensure retention rates are high. Ashley created an incentive plan that worked for all employees, added benefits that were low cost to the company but high value to the employees, and focuses a lot of her time and effort in recruiting the best candidates who can add value to Thermacell.

    Listen as I chat with a forward-thinking HR professional who sets the bar high for all other HR Executives.

    00:00 - Introduction


    02:24 - Thermacell history

    03:40 - Why did you join Thermacell?

    05:12 – Ashely does not lead Thermacell as a traditional HR function

    08:36 - Ashley’s journey and accomplishments in Thermacell

    09:31 - Getting the right people on the bus

    10:30 - From Distribution center to Manufacturing

    11:31 - New incentive program for all employees

    12:49 - Key to why people thrive – attracting and retaining the right talent

    14:33 - The Human not the Resource

    16:05 – Be an employer that focuses on caring

    18:05 - Employees using time for Physical and Mental Health

    19:01 - The unique benefits Thermacell offers

    22:59 - The game changer

    24:33 - How did you get into HR?

    25:28 - Treating people as humans and not resources

    32:35- End

    Connect with Ashley Larochelle

    · Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-larochelle-5b655a53/

    · Thermacell’s website: https://www.thermacell.com/

    Connect with Christina Stroud

    · Set up a 30-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/30-minute-discovery-call

    · Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/

    · Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/

  • Episode Outline and Highlights:

    Many professionals in the manufacturing industry find themselves making challenging business and personal decisions in a fast-paced environment. Managers must balance their technical and their people responsibilities, decide if they want to manage global responsibilities, join a young, fast-growing a company, or take a leap and embark on an expatriate assignment. All these decisions are multi-faceted and should include considering the needs of the family involved.

    Clemens Schmitz-Justen built on his Engineering foundation and served in various Executive roles in global manufacturing and now owns an international consulting firm. He was also the Honorary Consul in South Carolina for Germany while after he was in South Carolina as Plant President for BMW Manufacturing.

    During this episode we discuss his fascinating career steps, how he managed the technical and people needs at the same time, and the pros and cons of moving internationally. Clemens shares stories and examples from his career and how his family was impacted by the choices made.

    00:30 - Welcome Clemens Schmitz-Justen
    02:10 - Clemens’ career story
    03:54 - Clemens becomes President of BMW Manufacturing
    05:15 - What Clemens is up to now
    06:54 - Large company versus startups?
    07:51 - Motivation and reflections
    09:25 - Why manufacturing as a career?
    13:01 - Challenges of manufacturing leaders: Balancing the technical and people side
    15:00 - Story of resilience and persistence and picking the right crowd
    16:14 - Creation of the Win-Win situation
    17:51 - “..a disadvantage for you may turn exactly the opposite way of your career…”
    18:30 - Engineering is a leadership tool
    19:05 - The hard part of the Engineering
    20:42 - Suggestions for engineers who want to lead people
    23:01 - Going international and how it impacts career and family
    32:53 - What is he doing now?
    39:30 - Life is too short - create a career you are happy with
    40:43 - End

    Connect with Clemens Schmitz-Justen

    · Clemens on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clemens-schmitz-justen-a5a4a721/

    · Clemens’ website: http://www.easc-group.com/

    · Clemens’ email address: [email protected]

    Connect with Christina Stroud

    · Set up a 30-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/30-minute-discovery-call

    · Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/

    · Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/

  • Welcome to Manufacturing 365 where we spend time learning from each other. We will hear from manufacturing rock stars, startup founders, thought leaders, and others, to support this platform’s purpose – We will share ideas, set examples, and be a little thought provoking in the manufacturing world.