my TRUE POSITION

Engineering a CNC Machine Shop: What Two Friends Learned

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Embark on a captivating journey with Brad and Pete, two engineers whose bond as colleagues blossomed into a dynamic partnership, ultimately leading th...

Rebranding Your Company: What, Why, and How?

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Curious about rebranding your business? Join me, a seasoned business executive in manufacturing, as I delve into the dynamic world of rebranding a man...

Planning for 2024: Financial, Staffing, Equipment, Budgeting and More!

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready to elevate your business strategies for 2024 with the latest episode of "My TRUE POSITION"! Join me as I delve into the essential pillars of...

It's True: We're Really Paperless!

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Exciting news, folks! CARR Machine & Tool, Inc. has boldly stepped into the future like a streamlined, paperless pacesetter! Say goodbye to paper jams...

Don't Be Fooled: It's Not Easy to Start a Machine Shop

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Embarking on the journey of launching a machine shop entails navigating through substantial challenges. The initial hurdle lies in the considerable st...

Anguish, Agony and Lessons Learned :The 2008 Great Recession

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The 2008 Recession hit hard—jobs vanished, homes were lost, and dreams shattered. Triggered by the housing market crash, it brought widespread econo...

Keeping the Conditions Healthy on the Shop Floor

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listen, maintaining a healthy machine shop environment offers dual benefits for businesses. First, it boosts efficiency by preventing accidents, optim...

Are You Ready to Retire?

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is retirement in your future? Are you sure this is something you want to do? What are the circumstances around your decision? Are you financially able...

New Year, New Goals

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready for the New Year? Ready to lose some weight, get back in the gym, be a better spouse, increase sales by 50%, get better efficiency from ...

Gaining Extreme Value From Your MEP

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you moving your facility into a larger facility and want advice on how to set it up? How about looking for professional services to grow your busi...

Safety on the Shop Floor: Why It's Important

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever have a near-miss in your shop? Ever have to file a Workers Compensation claim? It's not fun and can really affect your insurance rating. In this ...

We're Only Quoting the Job Not Machining It

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Quoting a machined part isn't easy, you can spend too much time and still get it wrong. In this episode I'll share some tips on what I've learned quot...

Creating Data Packages for an AS9100 Machine Shop

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you thinking about implementing AS9100 to ramp up your brand and take your business to the next level? Think it's easy to create and assemble an A...

Employment Agreements: Why They're Important

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Think Employment Agreements are silly? Don't think they're necessary for your small business? Just more work for you? In this episode of my TRUE POSIT...

Buying Equipment on Speculation: Right or Wrong?

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder WHEN is the right time to buy new machinery? Are you hearing from your customer's that significant new business is in the queue? Are you d...

Writing a Resume 101 and Tips on Interviewing

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready for a new career? Been some time since you updated your resume? On this episode I share with you what I, and other HR personnel look for...

Marketing for Manufacturers: It's Not All Smoke and Mirrors

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have your marketing efforts faded? Still print paper line cards to prospect? Have you reviewed your digital media presence and how is Artificial Intel...

Scaling Your Business: Risk vs. Reward

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is the thought of tripling your sales tripling your blood pressure? Are you worried about the financial impact of growing your business? How about the...

Managing the EBITDA

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not excited about digging into the numbers? Finance not your thing? Do you know what your gross margin is? Or, how about your EBITDA? On this episode ...

Manufacturing Leaders Leading

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Where is the manufacturing industry going? It certainly is a much smaller community of late. Think you want to give back but don't think you're "educa...

Optimizing Value-Add Services From Your Vendors

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you cutting your bar stock in house? Think you're saving money? How about water jet, laser or routing services to remove the material closer to a ...

Implementing EOS With an Implementer

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is your business flat? Feeling burnt out? Have you lost your fire? Don't worry, it's a common thing for business executives and owners. On this episod...

Crafting a Culture for Your Machine Shop

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What are Core Values? How about Mission and Vision Statements? Do you really need them to lead a successful business or is it just all smoke and mirro...

AS9100 Certification: Is It Worth It?

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does AS9100 credentialing bring in more business? What is the true cost for implementation? Does your company have the infrastructure to maintain the ...

Recession Blues: Are We or Aren't We?

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Some people say we're in a recession, some are saying we're heading for one and others are having record growth. What is up with this economy? On this...

DPAs Rated Purchase Orders: Risky Business?

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is your company ITAR compliant? Do you have AS9100 credentialing? Do you do Department of Defense Work? Are you accepting DPAs-rated Purchase Orders a...

Industrial Real Estate: Lessons Learned

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ready to move your machine shop? Are you going to buy or lease? How many square feet do you think you need? How many docks? What are the restrictions ...

I Was Wrong: 5 Axis CNC Machining Rocks

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Still waiting to buy a 5 axis machine? Is it the cost that scares you? Or the technology upgrade? Are you concerned you won't find someone to run it o...

Implementing Margin Time for Yourself

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you feeling overworked? Feeling uninspired?  Has your energy level diminished and you're just not "into" your job lately? Don't worry, as hurried...

Nurturing Future Champions in Manufacturing

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does the thought of six figure debt for an education stress you out? Are you looking for a career that can offer fast advancement based on performance...

Nepotism or Nonsense?

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you working at a company with multiple family members? Do you feel like they're getting preferential treatment? Are they abusing their privilege? ...

War Room Meetings: Do They Help or Hinder?

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you like process and planning? Are you afraid of change? Does your team collaborate well? Well War Room meetings might be just the ticket for your ...

Traction With Traction: How We Blasted Off!

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you serious about growing your business? Are you ready for change? Do you want to run your company on just one operating system? Well this week on...

Losing a Multi-Million Dollar Customer Over a Social Post

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have signed NDAs in place with your customers? Do you actually read them? Do you really know what you're signing or maybe you're not even signi...

BIG(er) Manufacturing Associations: What's the Difference?

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a series of episodes highlighting different manufacturing associations this week we talk to Mark Denzler, the President and CEO of Illinois Manufac...

The Effectiveness of Performance Reviews

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you think Annual Employee Performance Reviews are effective? What about six in the first year? On this episode of my TRUE POSITION I share my exper...

What Is Pay by the Minute? Changing an Old School Philosophy

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you still using an old-school payroll management system? Well this week on my TRUE POSITION I share my experiences moving to a Pay by the Minute p...

How to Get the Most of Your Manufacturing Association

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you think you don't have time to be involved in an Association? Is there any value? What about the ROI? In this episode I'm going to give you those...

Manufacturing Success: Two Young Sisters Show Us How to Run a Business After a Loss

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What would you do if suddenly, within one day, were thrown into a new role like running the business? One day you're an employee and the next day the ...

What to Look for When Choosing and Joining a Manufacturing Association

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered what association will bring you the biggest ROI? On this episode I interview my friend Kathly Gilmore, President of the Valley ...

Buying a Machine Shop: Desirable or Detrimental?

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever dreamed of buying a machine shop, then this episode will be just the ticket for you. I interviewed Bill Angsten of ANPEC Industries. Bi...

Manufacturing: Tall Tales From the Shop Floor

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you're like me you know the pains of growing up in a small, closely-held manufacturing company. Where there is no accountability, process or guardr...

Beware of the Opportunist

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you at a networking event and someone is overly friendly? Are they invading your space and immediately your best friend? Do they try and make you ...

Why Good Communication Is Key

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you scared of communicating? Does the thought of telling a vendor their quality is awful? How about telling a customer that you quoted the job inc...

War Room Meetings: Do They Help or Hinder?

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is your manufacturing company on a path for growth? Do you like process and planning? Are you afraid of change? Does your team collaborate well? Well ...

Taking on Debt: Is It Worth It?

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you grow up in a family owned business learning that a thriving company should be debt free? Is that a good approach to growing your business? Is ...

Parting Ways With a 21 Year Employee

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the top three hardest things I've had to do in my career was to terminate a veteran employee. An employee who I worked with for 21 years. I kne...

CYBER Fraud: It's Only A Matter of Time

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you get random texts from "Amazon" saying they can't deliver your product, or how about your credit card has been compromised and you need to call ...

Manufacturing Leaders: Unite!

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when a foursome of manufacturing leaders get together for an open conversation about the future of manufacturing? Issues they're having r...

Being the Policeman: Implementing Disciplinary Actions

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does the thought of writing someone up give you anxiety? How about having to tell someone they need to correct an action or there is a potential of te...

SAFETY in the SHOP and $AVE

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do your insurance rates continue to skyrocket? Is it because of excessive workers compensation claims? On this episode of my TRUE POSITION I'm bringin...

Moving the Machine Shop After 40 Years

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When is the right time to move your business? There are so many reasons. Future growth is probably the biggest, with taxes, infrastructure, cost, and ...

Best Practices for Borrowing Money in an Inflationary Economy with Ty Willis

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How does a growing machine shop continue to buy CNC equipment when interest rates are double what they were 12 months ago? Will inflation continue to ...

Continuing on in the Family Business When Dad Has a Girlfriend

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So it's in the early 90's and I'm recently married, with a couple of kids, a house with a mortgage, two kids (and one on the way) and a minivan and co...

Organic Growth vs Acquisition: What Direction to Take

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Remembering Reverse Auctions: Are They Making a Comeback?

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas