my TRUE POSITION
Episodes
Rework Is Killing Your Margin: Here's How Top Shops Are Fixing It
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most shops aren't losing money on bad machining—they're losing it on bad execution. In this episode, Jim Carr sits down with Patrick Diggins from Al...
Who Packed Your Parachute? When the Supply Chain Breaks—But the Mission Doesn't
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when a critical aerospace part disappears—but the mission doesn't? In this episode, Jim sits down with Sam Thevanayagam, CEO of Parts L...
Three Generations, One Exit: What It Really Takes to Sell a Machine Shop (Part Two)
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this continuation of Three Generations, One Exit, we move past the idea of selling and into the reality of doing it. The conversations get tougher,...
Three Generations, One Exit: What It Really Takes to Sell a Machine Shop (Part 1)
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode hits home. I sat down with a close friend—a third-generation machine shop owner—who took his family business all the way through a pr...
Choosing the Wrong Automation Partner: A Shop Floor Story (Part 2)
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Automation didn't fail us—the wrong partner did. In Part 2 of this two-part series, Jim Carr and Ryan Carr finish the story behind a CNC automation ...
Choosing the Wrong Automation Partner: A Shop Floor Story (Part 1)
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Automation is supposed to make your shop faster, leaner, and more profitable. But what happens when the company you trust to retrofit your CNC turns o...
The Changing Landscape of Manufacturing
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After 4+ decades in manufacturing, I've seen this industry transform in ways most people never imagined. When I started, shops were running manual mil...
Manufacturing Sales Isn't What It Used to Be
07 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There was a time when machine shops could sit back and wait for RFQs to land in the inbox. If you ran a solid shop, the work showed up. That world is ...
If I Sold the Business Tomorrow…
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What would happen if I sold the business tomorrow? Not the valuation. Not the multiple. Not the wire transfer. What would I regret? In this episode, I...
Your 3 Uniques: The Difference Between a Commodity Shop and a Premium One
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most machine shops think they're unique. Most are wrong. In this episode, Jim breaks down the EOS concept of 3 Uniques and why they determine whether ...
Executive Throughput: Why Your Health Drives Your EBITDA
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most C-suite leaders track every metric inside their business — margin, throughput, OEE, cash flow. But almost none of them track the performance o...
Digital Is Fast. Relationships Are Slow.
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jim Carr breaks down why speed, tools, and constant updates don't build real relationships in manufacturing—especially in aerospace...
If You're Not Obsessing Over Cash Flow, You're Already in Trouble
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jim Carr breaks down how real small business owners actually keep the lights on—managing AR, AP, lines of credit, savings, and cred...
You Agreed to WHAT?! Flowdowns, AVLs, and the Silent Killers of Margin
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most manufacturing shops don't lose margin on the shop floor—they sign it away during contract review. In this episode, Jim Carr breaks down how cus...
Leadership Through Empowerment
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most leaders say they want empowered teams. What they really want is compliance without pushback. That mindset is exactly why so many manufacturing bu...
Why I'm Back at the Table: The Real ROI of Networking and Board Service
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Simple Marketing Fixes Every Shop Owner Should Do Before 2026
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If your marketing looks the same as it did last year, you're already behind. In this episode, Jim breaks down five simple, no-bullshit ways to clean u...
GD&T Isn't Harder — Manufacturing Just Got Less Forgiving
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
GD&T didn't get harder — manufacturing got less forgiving. Thirty years ago, drawings were guidance and experience filled the gaps. Today, drawings ...
End of 2025 Reflections: Five Decades of Precision, Perseverance, and Progress
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As 2025 comes to a close, CARR Machine & Tool marks 53 years in aerospace manufacturing — spanning three generations and five decades of grit, reinv...
Fixing Toxic Culture: The Blueprint, the Metrics, and the Reality
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we get brutally honest about toxic culture — what causes it, what sustains it, and what it really takes to fix it. I'm breaking dow...
Calibration Frequency: How to Set It, Prove It, and Defend It
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dig into one of the most misunderstood parts of any aerospace quality system: calibration frequency. I'm breaking down how to set ...
Relocation Regrets: When a New Hire Becomes a $30,000 Mistake
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think hiring from out of state is the answer to your talent shortage? Think again. Between relocation costs, lost productivity, and cultural misfires,...
Cut Chips, Not Profits: Managing Labor Like a Pro
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's be real — the fastest way to torch your profit isn't a bad part or a missed deadline. It's when your labor starts running you instead of the o...
When Branding Meets Blue Collar: Why Every Shop Needs a Marketing Engine
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most machine shops think marketing is fluff — that the work should speak for itself. But here's the truth: in 2025, if you're not telling your story...
Five Years After COVID - Where Manufacturing Was, and Where We're At
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's been five years since COVID flipped manufacturing on its head. Back then, it was all about survival — keeping the doors open and the machines r...
TRACTION, Re-Engaged: How Leadership Discipline Drives Growth at CARR Machine
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 2018, we implemented TRACTION for the first time — and like most small teams, we were figuring it out as we went. Fast forward to today, and CARR...
LinkedIn or Look-At-Me? How the World's Largest Job Network Lost Its Job
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
LinkedIn was built for professionals — a place to connect, learn, and grow careers. But somewhere along the way, it turned into a stage for personal...
From Day One to Year One: Building Loyalty Through Onboarding
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The first two weeks on the job set the tone for everything that follows. At CARR, we've built a structured onboarding playbook — with 5-day, 30-day,...
Is This the End of the Family-Owned Machine Shop?
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The family-owned machine shop — once the backbone of American manufacturing — is disappearing. Private equity is rolling up independents, successi...
Signals of Success: How I Spot Future Talent in Manufacturing
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Degrees don't impress me. GPAs don't build careers. The real signals that matter? Showing up, asking questions, taking pride in your work. In this epi...
Forget the Tuition Trap: Pathways into Precision Manufacturing
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
College debt is crushing a generation—but there's another way. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I break down the real pathways into precision ma...
The New Shop Class: Precision, Software, and Six-Figure Trajectories
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Forget the grimy stereotype—this is aerospace-grade, software-driven manufacturing. In Part 1 of The New Shop Class, I pull back the curtain on clea...
Book Deals or Bullshit? Exposing the Vanity Press Scam
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever get that email saying, 'We want to offer you a book deal'? Yeah…bullshit. These aren't publishers—they're predators. They target business own...
Margins, Mistakes, and the Machines That Made Us
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr by his CFO and business coach Dave Capkovitz, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to ev...
Artifact What? Why AS9100 Shops Need to Step Up Their Gage Game
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr uncovers the real story behind artifact parts in Gage R&R studies. Too many shops are cutting corners wh...
Leave of Absence or Exit Strategy?
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is that employee "taking time off"… or walking out quietly? In this episode, Jim Carr dissects the real motives behind employee leave. From legal ob...
Private Equity Wants a Piece...But What Happens After the Check Clears?
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
PE firms are circling job shops like vultures — waving fat checks and buzzwords like "scale" and "efficiency." But what happens after the champagne ...
Smart Specs, Dumb Risk: Ray-Ban Meta vs. ITAR Reality
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses stroll onto your ITAR-regulated shop floor? In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I unpack how one slick-l...
The Great Divide: Why Machinists Don't Belong in Quality
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Low-Mix, High-Volume: Our Big Shift — and What It's Teaching Me
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Too many part numbers. Too many changeovers. Too much chaos. For years, we ran a low-volume, high-mix job shop — and it was eating us alive. Until w...
Get Out and Kiss Babies: Why Your Customers Need to See Your Face
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You're the face of the shop — act like it. In this episode, Jim Carr unpacks why getting out of the office, shaking hands, and "kissing babies" isn'...
Leads, Lies, and Lanyards: The Real Cost of Exhibiting
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dropped $10K on a booth and walked away with a pocketful of business cards and no leads? You're not alone. In this gritty solo episode, I pull back th...
Receivables Redefined: Be Firm. Be Fair. Get Paid.
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you tired of chasing down payments like it's part of your job description? In this episode, Jim Carr strips down the BS and breaks down how to man...
Blueprints & Blood Pressure: Why GD&T Still Gets Misread
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why does GD&T still trip people up? In this episode, I break down the real reasons prints get misread — and how it leads to confusion, wasted time, ...
Talk Dirty to Me: The Language of the Trade
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From bird's nests to cowboy cuts, we're breakin' down the raw, unfiltered slang of the shop floor. It's gritty, it's funny, and yeah—we swear a litt...
Grit, Chips, and Change: Four Decades in the Game
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After 40 years in the game, Jim Carr asks the question no one wants to answer out loud: Was it easier to run a machine shop back then… or have the r...
How to Speak the 5 Love Languages of Business: In the Shop and Beyond
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do high fives, tool gifts, and 10-minute check-ins have in common? They're all ways to lead better on the shop floor. In this episode of My TRUE ...
Beyond Gravity's Big Advantage: Culture You Can Feel
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special Space Symposium episode, Jim Carr sits down with Oliver Grassmann, Executive Vice President of Beyond Gravity's Satellites division, t...
Grounded Leadership in Zero Gravity: A Conversation with Wesley Grove
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do satellites and shop floors have in common? Wesley Grove connects the dots. In this episode, we talk about real-world innovation, smart failu...
Inside the Coach's Corner: How EBITDA Guides Machine Shops to Thrive
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What's it really like to have a business coach in your shop's corner? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime business partners and coaches, Dave...
Small Shops, Big Data: AI That Doesn't Require a PhD
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI isn't just for the big guys anymore. In this episode, Jim Carr sits down with Akshat Thirani, President of Amper Technologies, to break down how sm...
The CFO That Knows Your Shop: Why Specialized Financial Strategy Matters
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if your CFO actually understood your machine shop? In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I sit down with Dave Capkovitz and Mike Watkins from EBIT...
Why Are Funding Companies Blowing Up My Phone?
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a small to midsize manufacturer like me, you know exactly what I'm talking about — constant calls, emails, and DMs from lenders promising ...
Why Modern Leaders Need to Sit in the Passenger Seat
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I'm talking about reverse shadowing — why it's time for owners, managers, and executives to follow the people o...
LinkedIn Without the Overload: A Manufacturer's Playbook
01 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like LinkedIn is more of a burden than a benefit? You're not alone. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, we're cutting through the noise and...
Breaking Down AS9100 & ISO 9001: Costs, Compliance, & Commitment
22 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thinking about getting ISO 9001 or AS9100 certified but not sure which one makes sense for your shop? In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I break dow...
Beyond the Selfie: The Power of a Pro Headshot & Bio
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you making the right first impression? If your bio is dull and your headshot is a blurry selfie, you're not doing yourself any favors. In this epi...
Pre-Retirement 101: What It Is & How to Prepare
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are You Ready for Pre-Retirement? As a multi-generational manufacturing business owner, stepping away from the day-to-day is easier said than done. Ha...
Lock It Down: Why Your Machine Shop Needs an NDA
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you protecting your shop's secrets, or leaving the door open for competitors to take your hard work? In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, explain ...
Overtime: Catalyst or Culture Killer?
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Overtime: Is it driving growth or quietly eroding your culture and profitability? In this episode, I reflect on decades of overtime practices at CARR ...
What Is Your Brand, and How Does It Affect Your Business?
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What's your brand? It's a question I was asked over a decade ago, and it changed how I approach both business and personal growth. In this episode, we...
2024: Another Year Leading a Machine Shop - In Review
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
2024 was a year of resilience, growth, and transformation for me personally and professionally. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I'm reflecting on...
Mastering Cash Flow in Manufacturing: Keep the Spread!
28 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I'm drilling into one of the most critical aspects of running a successful business: managing cash flow. I'll explain why understan...
Ooops! Let's Clarify the Cost of Some ERPs
21 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Yeppers…I messed up! In a previous episode, I threw out some numbers about ERP costs, and my good friend, Paul Van Metre from ProShop, hit me with...
Cut the Tank: Why Generating Nitrogen Gas Beats Buying
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I welcome Jayden Mackinnin from Fluid-Aire Dynamics to the my TRUE POSITION studio to discuss a cutting-edge solution that's transform...
Next Year Starts Now: Forecasting the 2025 Impact
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you ready to set your business up for success in 2025? In this episode we explore the critical decisions you need to make today to thrive tomorrow...
Doing the GEMBA-rena: Step into the Shop Floor Groove
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you ready to bust a move on the shop floor? In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, we're diving into the world of Gemba Walks—manufacturing's ulti...
Is Running Your Machine Shop a Lifestyle Business?
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I challenge you to take a hard look at your machine shop. Are you running it as a lifestyle business, content wit...
Automation in 2025: Day Hurn Interviews Jim Carr
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a fun twist for this episode, we flip the script! Day Hurn, Sales & Marketing Specialist at Robojob-USA, takes over the mic to interview me. We dis...
Behind the Tanks: Who's Really Responsible for Coolant Cleanouts?
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, we dive into one of those unglamorous but critical shop tasks: cleaning the coolant tanks. Who's responsible? Why...
The REAL Costs to Scale Your Manufacturing Company
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thinking about scaling your manufacturing business from $1M to $100M? In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I break down the real costs of growing a ma...
Do Today's Young People Really Understand Our Industry?
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk about the crucial question: Do today's young people really grasp the impact and intricacies of manufacturing? As Gen Z and Ge...
Re-Writing the Employee Handbook...Again!
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of True Position, we dive into the ever-evolving world of employee handbooks. We explore why this crucial document isn't just a formal...
Easy Tips to Automate Your Shop
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 83 of My True Position, I team up with special guest Michael Martin to reveal easy, effective, and economical tips for automating your mach...
Air Power: The Driving Force Behind Manufacturing Efficiency
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I'm joined by a special guest, Fred Garcia from Fluid-Aire Dynamics, to explore a crucial but often overlooked as...
Why Are Manufacturers Such Poor Communicators?
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, we're tackling a common frustration: why are manufacturers notorious for poor communication, from not returning c...
Why a Healthy Shop-Floor Environment Is Critical to Your Culture
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I share why a healthy shop-floor environment is more than just clean air and good lighting—it's the backbone of a strong company cul...
Passing the Torch: Why Succession Planning Can't Wait
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of my TRUE POSITION, we're tackling a conversation that every family-run business needs to have sooner rather than later: succession p...
How Inspection is Driving the Future of Manufacturing
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I'm diving deep into a critical shift happening in the manufacturing industry—how the future is leaning heavily toward being inspect...
Fraudsters Are Getting Better: Tips to Not Get Screwed
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I dive into a personal story of how we almost got scammed by a sly voicemail about our QuickBooks Online account. Scammers are gettin...
Why All The Interest in Buying Manufacturing Companies?
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the burgeoning trend of private equity firms snapping up manufacturing companies across America. What's dri...
Another IMTS: The Good, the Bad, and the Awesomeness
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready for an exciting deep dive into one of the biggest events in manufacturing technology! In this episode, we explore IMTS 2024, covering all th...
Is Marketing for Manufacturers All Smoke & Mirrors?
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I tackle a provocative question: Is marketing for manufacturers all smoke and mirrors? Join me as I share our marketing journey and t...
The Best and Worst States for...?
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of my TRUE POSITION we dive into the critical factors that make some states ideal—and others not so great—for relocating a manufac...
Generations of Success: The Fluid-Aire Design Story
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of "My TRUE POSITION," I sit down with the family behind Fluid-Aire Design, a local air compressor company that's been a corne...
The Value of Engaging with Your Team
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "My TRUE POSITION," I'm diving into one of the most vital aspects of leadership and organizational success: team engagement. Join m...
The Pain of Quoting for Free
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you tired of spending countless hours creating detailed quotes only to see potential clients walk away? Join me, Jim Carr, in this episode of "My ...
A Meeting of the MasterMinds
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a manufacturing leader looking to elevate your business to new heights? Join us for an exclusive mastermind event at the Pronk Studio in Green...
Inspection and Documentation in an Aerospace Environment
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me as I dive into the critical roles of documentation and inspection in aerospace manufacturing. Discover how these processes assist in ensuring ...
Tips on How to Machine With More Passion & Precision
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another insightful episode of "My TRUE POSITION!" I'm Jim Carr, and this week, I'm focusing on "Tips on How to Machine with More Passion & ...
Automation & Lights Out Machining: What I've Learned
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another insightful episode of "My True Position!" This week, we're diving into "Automation & Lights Out Machining: What I've Learned." Ov...
More Acronyms: SQRM and SQAM
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another insightful episode of my TRUE POSITION. Today, we dive into the often perplexing world of manufacturing acronyms. For small manufac...
Team Production Meetings: Why They're Important
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tune in to our latest episode as we delve into the pivotal role of team production meetings in shaping corporate culture and driving success! Join us ...
Hear It Again: College vs. Trades
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ready to tackle the age-old debate? Join me on the latest episode of 'College vs Trades' where we dig deep into the Machinist vs College dilemma! Fr...
Answering the Eight Questions: Core Values
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the power of defining your company's Core values in our latest episode! Join us as we delve into the significance of establishing Core values...
Finding Your Network: For All the Right Reasons
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Elevate Your Business Acumen with Networking! Connect, Collaborate, and Conquer with the power of networking. Expand your circle, exchange ideas, an...
Factory Focus: Fine-Tuning HR Practices for Manufacturing Compliance
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the latest episode of 'Shop Talk'! In this edition, we're diving deep into the heart of HR compliance and best practices tailored specifica...
The Big Move to a PEO: What I've Learned
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Jim from CARR Machine & Tool, Inc. as he shares key insights from their move to partner with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Discover...
Precision Pursuits: Engineering Corporate Growth; Financial, Mental, Physical Resilience
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Step into the realm of business mastery with 'Precision Pursuits: Engineering Corporate Growth' Explore the delicate fusion of financial finesse, me...
Beyond Limits: Exploring the Boundaries of Pushing Yourself
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we delve into the concept of pushing oneself in the world of business. While striving for success and pushing boundaries can yield fa...