Jim Van Slyke

❌ FIVE MANUFACTURING MYTHS❌ As I shared previously (https://lnkd.in/dVKMKi8r) I recently spoke at The City Club of Cleveland on the so-called demise of manufacturing and the myths that hold us back from our full potential. (You can watch the speech here: https://lnkd.in/dQSsKpwQ) I’m sharing the five myths in a series of posts... Here's MYTH #3...Manufacturing is our past NOT our future. Been there done that, we need something new. Really? Why are we so obsessed with new? Back to the Superman theme that inspired my City Club speech…. Superman was the first superhero, debuting in 1938. Hundreds of shiny new heroes have graced the big and small screens since then, but we haven’t thrown out Superman. 13 movies, 15 TV shows, thousands of comic books. Superman will never go extinct, and neither will manufacturing. Northeast Ohio was built on manufacturing. It’s in our DNA. For the past 100 years, even in the worst of times manufacturing has always been the single largest driver of Northeast Ohio’s economy. We don’t need a new “superhero" industry. We just need to invest in the one we have. And we can’t be constrained by what we THINK manufacturing is. Yes, we still make more airplane and truck parts than any other state. Yes, we do all the traditional things. But innovation is also in our DNA. We were the Silicon Valley of the steel age. And that’s who we can be again. The next medical marvel could be invented and made here. Water could be cleaner and safer because of technology we’re pioneering here. EVs could be more affordable because we make the parts more efficiently, right here. Virtually all the advances we need in our world right now involve manufacturing. Why would we want to move away from this? When you watch the news and see all the jobs and companies we’ve attracted and grown here with incentives…80% of all those incentives go to manufacturing and manufacturing-related companies. Manufacturing is very much our future. Here’s Lincoln Electric’s Past CEO and Executive Chairman Chris Mapes on the opportunity he sees in front of us. MYTH #4 coming next! #smartmanufacturing #makeitbetterohio #industry40 #northeastohio MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network

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❌ FIVE MANUFACTURING MYTHS❌ As I shared previously (https://lnkd.in/dVKMKi8r) I recently spoke at The City Club of Cleveland on the so-called demise of manufacturing and the myths that hold us back. (You can watch the speech here: https://lnkd.in/dQSsKpwQ) I’m sharing the myths in a series of posts... Here's the last myth standing, #5...Economic development agencies are going to save us. Maybe you think you haven’t heard this one. But I can’t tell you the number of times in the past 15 years I’ve heard “Why isn’t this organization doing that?” or “They dropped the ball – that’s why we didn’t get that company.” On and on… These organizations are important, no question. I wouldn’t be running one if I didn’t think so. But it’s not economic development agencies that are going to save us, it’s the way we DO economic development. No organization or campaign or government pot of gold is going to get this done alone. The problems we face are so massive, the opportunities so complex, that no one company, no single deal, no individual leader or nonprofit can do it. That’s the leadership conundrum. The only way to transform our economy is to come together in powerful partnerships and make things happen. Easy to say, hard to do. Our economic development sandbox is incredibly overcrowded. There are 86 different organizations!  Far more per capita than similar size cities. Every one of them is doing good things. But in the last 15 years I’ve seen three main failure modes… One, we chase windmills and sometimes invest in bad ideas. Two, we don’t sustain our focus for long enough. And three, we don’t focus enough period–because we’re doing 86 different things! We all know this way of doing economic development is not sustainable. But the good news is…we’re seeing positive change happening. In the last two years I estimate we’ve seen double the number of organizations collaborating in coalitions, alliances, and clusters. MAGNET merged with EDGE, another economic development organization, last year. Case Western Reserve University, Greater Cleveland Partnership and dozens of other organizations are working together on a $160 million opportunity to make Cleveland a hub of sustainable manufacturing. Akron’s Polymer Industry Cluster secured $50 million to create more sustainable rubbers and plastics. On the workforce side, dozens of manufacturers, nonprofits and community groups created the Workforce Connect Manufacturing Sector Partnership - Cuyahoga County to fix broken workforce systems. Amazingly, in the last two years, this group helped 1,500 people get into manufacturing–mostly people of color. They closed the talent gap by 50%–something no one else has been able to do. Partnerships are where power, and potential, come to life. Here’s Andrew Jackson, President of Elsons International talking about how we are exponentially stronger together! #smartmanufacturing #makeitbetterohio MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network

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❌ FIVE MANUFACTURING MYTHS❌ As I shared previously (https://lnkd.in/dVKMKi8r) I recently spoke at The City Club of Cleveland on the so-called demise of manufacturing and the myths that hold us back from reaching our full potential. (You can watch the speech here: https://lnkd.in/dQSsKpwQ). I’m sharing the five myths in a series of posts... Here's MYTH #2...Manufacturing jobs are dead-end jobs that we’re pushing all our black and brown kids into. This one hurts me when I hear it. There’s nothing dead-end about most manufacturing jobs. There’s enormous opportunity here. These are jobs with strong career progression that don’t require an expensive 4-year degree. And many companies will even train you for free in whatever job you want. It’s true not all manufacturing jobs are high-tech, clean, and sparkly. Some are boring and repetitive – but so are some jobs at Amazon and Target. It’s true all manufacturing jobs don’t start at high wages, but the average salary is still $70,000. And overall wages are getting much more competitive. Locally, entry level salaries have gone up an average of 18% over the past two years. This is great, but we know they need to go even higher. Manufacturing has always been a social elevator, lifting people from poverty to prosperity. But historically it’s white males who’ve benefited most from this. Our industry is over 80% white and over 70% male. Our factories should look more like our communities. We don’t push anyone into manufacturing – we simply try to ensure the opportunities of manufacturing are open to everyone. But there are barriers – many of them historic, systemic, race-based, and ingrained – they include everything from lack of childcare to lack of transportation, from lack of awareness to lack of trust that manufacturing is, in fact, a great career and not one that’s going to lay you off tomorrow. But you don’t have to take my word for this. Here’s a clip from Deonia Duncan, a graduate of one of MAGNET’s programs – Early College, Early Career. We provided mentorship, transportation and removed all the barriers so she could get a job at Lincoln Electric. Manufacturing wasn’t a dead end. It changed Deonia’s life. And this is something we hear from people every single day. MYTH #3 coming next! #smartmanufacturing #makeitbetterohio #industry40 #northeastohio MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network

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❌ FIVE MANUFACTURING MYTHS❌ As I shared previously (https://lnkd.in/dVKMKi8r) I recently spoke at The City Club of Cleveland on the so-called demise of manufacturing and the myths that hold us back from reaching our full potential. (You can watch the speech here: https://lnkd.in/dQSsKpwQ) I’m sharing the five myths in a series of posts... Here's MYTH #4...There’s a silver bullet for Northeast Ohio. Something sitting just outside where we can see. If only we were San Francisco or Austin or my personal favorite – Pittsburgh – if we had done what they did, when they did it – then things would be better.  If only we focused on Health IT – tech eds and meds, that would do it. Or the biggie – if only we’d gotten Intel that would have saved us. Yes, Intel is the largest single private sector company investment in the history of Ohio. It’s going to create a lot of jobs and do a lot of good. But it’s still not a silver bullet. Systemic change and economic development are difficult, messy, and take a long time. We need a continuous string of base hits and even walks on issue after issue. We need sustained energy over decades. Think about Intel – to make that deal happen Les Wexner developed the communities around it 30 years ago. The journey will outlast every single one of us, and we must keep passing the baton. I wasn’t even born when community leaders came together to form MAGNET to grow manufacturing. And in 2024 we’re celebrating our 40th anniversary! We just keep reinventing ourselves and our impact. Back to the theme of my speech, even Superman has died and been reborn six times. He doesn’t give up and we don’t either. Here’s Kevin Johnson, a manufacturing tech leader, with his take on what reinventing manufacturing should look like. Our future is not one thing – it’s a unique combination of several things (with manufacturing as the foundation) that no other region can steal or duplicate. There is no silver bullet. The only "secret" is sustained focus on these engines of growth over decades. MYTH #5 coming next! #smartmanufacturing #makeitbetterohio #industry40 #northeastohio MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network

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❌ FIVE MANUFACTURING MYTHS❌ As I shared previously (https://lnkd.in/dVKMKi8r) I recently spoke at The City Club of Cleveland on the so-called demise of manufacturing and the myths that hold us back from reaching our full potential. (You can watch the speech here: https://lnkd.in/dQSsKpwQ) MYTH #1...AI and robots are going to take all the manufacturing jobs. REALITY: AI and robots are going to keep our jobs here. MYTH #2...Manufacturing jobs are dead-end jobs that we’re pushing all our black and brown kids into. REALITY: Manufacturing jobs change lives. MYTH #3...Manufacturing is our past NOT our future. REALITY: Manufacturing is our future and that’s where we need to focus. MYTH #4...There’s a silver bullet for Northeast Ohio. REALITY: The only "silver bullet" is decades of reinvention, resilience, and really hard work. MYTH #5... Economic development agencies are going to save us. REALITY: Powerful partnerships will save us. And there you have it…five manufacturing myths BUSTED. I hope this also debunks the granddaddy of all myths: manufacturing is dead. For all you Hamilton fans out there…the death of manufacturing has indeed been greatly exaggerated. :-) It’s true, there’s been a cloud of suspicion hanging over the industry since the tough times decades ago. But it’s time to let that go. It’s time to trust manufacturing again. Four years ago, I spoke at the City Club just weeks before the pandemic hit. I made the case for why Northeast Ohio had earned the right to hope. Despite all we’ve been through, today I have even more hope for our future. WHY? Because we survived crisis after crisis. Because we continue to thrive. We’ve proved we have everything we need to lead in smart manufacturing, we just need to do more of it. But none of us can do it alone. There’s no superman here. And shooting just wrapped on the movie, so there’s not even a superman on the streets of Cleveland anymore. We are the heroes. We need to come together. Save our future. And refuse to let anything hold us back. As superman famously said… "There is a superhero in all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape." It’s time for all of us to put on our metaphorical capes and get to work! Together, we can make manufacturing better. And that will make life better for everyone who lives here. (And big thanks to everyone who followed along with this series of posts! I appreciate all your comments and shares!) #smartmanufacturing #makeitbetterohio #industry40 #northeastohio MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network

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Excellent insights shared by subject matter expert Dave Rizzardo from the Maryland World Class Consortia, Ltd. In this article Dave dives into strategies to boost engagement and highlights the crucial role of a safe environment in fostering teamwork and collaboration. It is a worthwhile read and should be on every leaders desk. Pass this article around your leadership team and see the results first hand. #Engagement #Teamwork #Collaboration

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As we embark on introducing lean systems within our company, we discovered a compelling podcast featuring George Stalk, the author of "Competing Against Time." This book is a must-read for all Apple executives, as recommended by CEO Tim Cook. Stalk emphasizes that organizational speed and efficiency should be valued just as highly as cost and quality, positioning time as a crucial strategic asset. Several notable companies have successfully harnessed the principles of time-based competition to secure a competitive edge: 1. Toyota: Known for its exemplary lean manufacturing practices and the Toyota Production System, Toyota focuses on eliminating waste, optimizing workflows, and minimizing cycle times. 2. Amazon: Renowned for its swift order fulfillment and delivery speed, Amazon has developed an extensive logistics network that includes cutting-edge warehousing technologies and a dedicated fleet of delivery vehicles. Amazon Prime, in particular, showcases rapid delivery as a key competitive advantage. 3. Zara: By expertly synchronizing design, production, and retail operations, Zara can swiftly react to fashion trends and consumer demands, achieving a significantly shorter time-to-market compared to traditional fashion retailers. 4. McDonald's: Through its innovative "Made for You" kitchen system, McDonald's has drastically reduced food preparation times, enabling faster service without sacrificing quality. These companies demonstrate that enhancing speed and efficiency in various operational areas can lead to improved customer service, reduced costs, and a formidable market position.  

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Studies show that most manufacturers attempt to improve their performance but the overwhelming majority fail to get significant results from their efforts. The problem lies more in the mindset of the leaders than the actual execution of their efforts. I recently sat down with @Joe Sullivan from the Manufacturing Executive Podcast and discussed why most manufacturers fail at continuous improvement and how to succeed. Watch this clip to learn more. #lean #leadership #culturechange #privateequity #manufacturing #alphanovaconsulting #operations #leanmanufacturing

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Strategy in the Modern Age of Manufacturing Stop hiding behind your stats and manage to the REAL production numbers. Read the blog article: https://lnkd.in/gzYquVdV

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In this episode of the Leadership In Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding interviews Eric Gleason, a seasoned professional in the manufacturing industry. Eric shares valuable insights into the importance of mentorship, the challenge of technical knowledge in the industry, and the significance of networking and connecting with knowledgeable experts. Key Points Covered: 1. Importance of mentorship: Eric emphasizes the value of mentorship in the manufacturing industry for career advancement and skill development. 2. Challenge of technical knowledge: The discussion delves into the barrier posed by the heavy technical nature of the industry, especially for those with non-technical backgrounds, and questions whether this acts as a deterrent for entry into the field. 3. Focus on networking and connecting: Eric encourages newcomers to focus on connecting with specialists and experts in the industry, rather than solely trying to possess all-encompassing technical knowledge. 4. Embracing a supportive role: The recommendation is to become a connector and facilitator of knowledge exchange within the industry, rather than striving to be the sole repository of information. This episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for individuals starting their careers in the manufacturing industry, as well as those seeking to enhance their leadership skills and industry knowledge. https://lnkd.in/g6ZrTJgg https://lnkd.in/gWSE3dWV

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🌟 LinkedIn Contest: Share Your #ManufacturingSuccessStory 🌟 Are you proud of a manufacturing success story? Whether it's improving efficiency, boosting productivity, or overcoming challenges, I want to hear it! To participate: Share your manufacturing success story in the comments below using #ManufacturingSuccessStory. Tag friends who might have interesting stories to share. Follow my profile and share this post. The most compelling story will win a free consultation with me to discuss how I can help your manufacturing business thrive! Looking forward to hearing your success stories! 🚀 #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #manufacturing #marketing

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Well, knock me over with a feather. Earlier today I stumbled across an episode of the Lean Enterprise Institute podcast featuring the Director for the MillerKnoll Performance System and a continuous improvement coach discussing how they extend lean thinking beyond the factory. This is the very same MillerKnoll whose CEO went off on employees during an internal townhall in early 2023 over the matter of bonuses, which I wrote about in my April 20/23 newsletter (https://lnkd.in/g3vRx_4b). Facing a $26M shortfall in revenue, the CEO snapped: "Don't ask about what are we going to do if you don't get a bonus! Get the damn twenty-six million dollars! Spend your time and your effort thinking about the twenty-six million dollars we need and not thinking about what you're going to do if we don't get a bonus, all right? Can I get some commitment for that? I would appreciate it!" And in so doing said the quiet part out loud: Bonuses were never about motivating performance, but managing compliance and retention. Were it any other way, the CEO would have moved heaven and earth to make sure her people were motivated with money to find the $26M instead of threatened. Imagine the shock those employees had on the call when they realized it... So, is this the same MillerKnoll that's /lean/ ? Lean as in "Respect for People" lean? #systemsthinking #leadership #deming https://lnkd.in/g2Q-TCv3

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❌ FIVE MANUFACTURING MYTHS❌ As I shared earlier this week (https://lnkd.in/dVKMKi8r) I just spoke at The City Club of Cleveland on the so-called demise of manufacturing and the myths that hold us back from reaching our full potential. (You can watch the speech here: https://lnkd.in/dQSsKpwQ) I promised to share the five myths so here goes... MYTH #1...AI and robots are going to take all the manufacturing jobs. Immediate no on this one. Actually, the reverse is true. Technology is going to SAVE the jobs in our industry. We have 20,000 vacant manufacturing jobs today and 10,000 of them are perennially open. We simply can’t find people to fill them. And this is a national demographic problem. There are 0.75 people available for work in the U.S. for every open job! There are 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring every day. This isn’t going to get any better. The talent shortage is here to stay. We just have to continually manage it, like productivity or quality. AI, robots and cobots – robots that work with people – will fill that gap so production lines don’t grind to a halt. So, more factories don’t close. In fact, MAGNET just did a survey that confirmed this. 80% of local manufacturers told us flat out they’re using Industry 4.0 to improve productivity and safety, NOT replace workers. In the past it was a different story. Since the Model T, automation has been symbiotic with manufacturing progress. As a result, it’s been the single biggest driver of job losses in the past 40 years. Automation is the reason we now make more goods with 70% fewer people. This transformation was awful for workers. But it’s what we – the consumers – wanted and continue to want – cheaper stuff and a bigger variety of stuff. Automation has already come for our manufacturing jobs. So, we can stop worrying about it. What’s happening now with Industry 4.0 is different. It’s making the manufacturing jobs that are left – and the ones we’re creating – better, safer and more high-tech. Listen to the clip below where I. James Cavoli, President of Swagelok, calls cobots "a freedom tool" that frees people up from doing dull, dirty and dangerous jobs. I love that! Instead of being afraid of AI and robots we need to embrace them like Swagelok has. And we need to do it fast. Only 28% of manufacturers in Northeast Ohio are currently using Industry 4.0. Every day we fall farther behind. In 2022 China installed more manufacturing robots than the rest of the world combined. We are in a high-tech arms race and if we don’t catch up, we will lose everything. MYTH #2 coming next! #smartmanufacturing #makeitbetterohio #industry40 #northeastohio MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network

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When a manufacturing company treats manufacturing as an unwanted distraction from the executives' "high finance" maneuvering, neglects it and starts taking it for granted, the company's trajectory turns downward and follows a sad, tired, and all-to-common script. #manufacturing #integrity #failedleadership #hypocrisy #indifference #conferenceroomcowboys #economy #jobs #lostopportunity #killingthegoosethatlaidthegoldeneggs https://lnkd.in/gEZPjNfS

If you're feeling the itch for something new but aren't quite sure what it is yet, you're not alone. Many manufacturing professionals know they want a change but need clarity on what that could look like. Start by identifying what you value most—be it innovation, leadership, or work-life balance—and seek out roles or projects that align with these values. What steps are you taking to explore new opportunities? Let's brainstorm together. #CareerExploration #ManufacturingCareers #JobSatisfaction

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Have you heard the story of Plex customer Strand Products, Inc. yet? In a recent interview with IndustryWeek, Strand CEO Wes Prunckle spoke about their implementation journey and improvements the company has experienced since migrating to Plex ERP. Cumulus Consulting, LLC is also mentioned as a critical player in their success. ⭐

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#ThursdayThoughts is where we share our reflections on industry insights and trends. This week, we’re discussing an article from Manufacturing Tomorrow on continuous improvement tools for streamlining manufacturing processes. One tool that stands out is the Gemba Walk. It emphasizes leaders observing the production process firsthand and engaging with employees. At Interlink CFO, we’ve seen the power of Gemba Walks. They help uncover inefficiencies, foster collaboration, and drive real improvements. Read more about these impactful tools here: https://lnkd.in/esvT9HKE www.interlinkcfo.com #ManufacturingFinance #ProcessOptimization #GembaWalks #Manufacturing #FractionalCFO #InterlinkCFO

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Wednesday Spotlight: IT in Non-Profit Program Management Title: "Optimizing Non-Profit Programs with IT Solutions" Key Questions: 1) How can IT improve the efficiency and effectiveness of non-profit programs? 2) What are the benefits of using data analytics for measuring program impact? Content Focus: Explore the role of IT in optimizing non-profit programs through better data management, analytics, and reporting, leading to more impactful and efficient operations. Strategic Importance: By leveraging IT, nonprofits can optimize their program management, ensuring resources are used effectively and programs have the maximum possible impact. Data analytics allows for better measurement of outcomes and more informed decision-making. Call to Action:  Learn how TechFides can help your non-profit optimize program management with advanced IT solutions. #ProgramManagement #NonProfitAnalytics #ITinNonProfits

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Take a quick look how your 🛠️ maintenance organization 🛠️ can benefit from a friendly and people-oriented CMMS to improve the efficiency of your team, avoid unplanned events and reduce paperwork. #SmartManufacturing #CMMS #DigitalTransformation #Maintenance Chat with us at FactoryXT to learn more!

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