EECO Asks Why Podcast

In the fast paced world of data centers Bret Lehman is changing the game!

He shares his incredible journey and how the landscape has changed so much over the last 20 years.  Bret gives an inside look at key areas of innovation including:

• Server design
• Cooling challenges
• Workforce attrition
• Sustainability for the future

Bret is on the frontlines of industry and the impact he is making is genuine.  Just listen to his story of how his support of a super-computer project is at the front and center of life saving cancer research.

This hero conversation has it all and it was an honor to share his story.  Sit back, grab a notepad and be ready to be inspired by our hero Bret Lehman! 

Remember to keep asking why...

Guests:
Bret Lehman - Director of Product and Business Development at PCX Corporation

PCX Website

Submit your question to be featured on EECO Asks Why to [email protected]

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Flexibility, customization and innovation are the heart of the exciting world of modular data centers! 

In this conversation Michael Hennings and Bret Lehman give an inside look at this evolving technology.  As frontline industry leaders they have a perspective that is unparalleled in this space.  

They share insight around how the technology has changed over the years and what is coming down the pike for the future.  In true EECO Asks Why fashion we have some fun and put Modular Data Centers in a ring against Brick and Mortar - listen to see who wins!

Michael and Bret had fun playing "Is It True" and took hard hitting questions straight on such as:

• MDS only come in ISO shipping containers.
• MDS are only used for temporary installations.
• MDS tend to be more expensive.
• MDS are less secure.
• You have limited hardware and design choices with prefabricated data centers.
• MDS are fixed and won’t scale.

These industry experts unpacked a ton of wisdom and insight in this powerful conversation.  For support with your Modular Data Center solutions let EECO and our valued partners at Hubbell and PCX solve your most complex applications. 

Remember to keep asking why...

Guests:
Michael Hennings - Director Business Development at Hubbell Incorporated
Bret Lehman - Director of Product and Business Development at PCX Corporation

Hubbell Website
PCX Website

Submit your question to be featured on EECO Asks Why to [email protected]

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Look for challenges and never be content.

That is what drives Michael Hennings and he shares about his amazing journey in this Hero conversation.  Michael is the Director of Business Development at Hubbell and is on the front lines of cutting edge technology daily.  His career began in distribution and has provided him tremendous opportunities to grow into the role he currently has at Hubbell.

Michael shares how the recent addition of PCX has changed the game in how the market is being served.  They are consistently looking for new and innovative solutions that solve the most complex items industry faces.

He shares insight into how you can enter the industrial world by proven ways that he's seen firsthand.  Learning how to ask questions is huge and for those wanting to pursue a career in sales his advice about being genuine is rock solid!

Michael is an elephant hunter in the world of sales and loves the pursuit of large business deals.  In his spare time he can be found on a baseball field coaching his son and is thoroughly enjoying that season of life.

Throughout this conversation you can feel Michael's passion for industry and the impact he's making is tremendous.  Sit back, enjoy and learn from our hero Michael Hennings!

Remember to keep asking why... 

Guest: Michael Hennings - Director Business Development at Hubbell Incorporated

Hubbell Website
PCX Website

Submit your question to be featured on EECO Asks Why to [email protected]

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

83% of B2B buyers prefer an e-commerce or digital experience, as opposed to picking up the phone!

Let that sink in for a minute.  The digital experience for those in manufacturing is here and the businesses that are making the investments now will be the ones carrying the flag in the future.  Curt Anderson is the expert in all things eCommerce (he literally wrote the book about it) and in this insight packed conversation he shares all the salient truths that will put any manufacturer on a path to serving the market like never before.

He walks through how the desire to digital self-serve is making such an impact and in order to meet the changing customer demands this is no longer a nice feature but rather a must have capability. 

Curt gets tactical on steps you can begin taking to move the needle and he even reviews the metrics to measure to gauge success.  One thing you will quickly find after spending any time around Curt is his passion for what he does.  He has an energy and drive that is contagious and his success is driven by his desire to serve.

No matter where you sit on your eCommerce journey there is a ton of wisdom and practical insight to start applying to make an impact.  

Remember to keep asking why!

Guest: Curt Anderson - eCommerce Evangelist for Manufacturers at B2Btail

Stop Being the Best Kept Secret: Manufacturing eCommerce Strategies

Industry War Story Submission: Send us a DM!
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Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Being on the front lines of game changing industry solutions is what our hero Jerry Foster lives every day!

In this inspirational conversation Jerry unpacks his personal journey through industry and some of his incredible experiences.  Working with the best minds of manufacturing puts him in a great position to see the hurdles firsthand and engineer solutions that truly make an impact.

Jerry gets real and talks about the big issues in manufacturing and steps that can be taken now to start down a path of correction.  He loves to debunk the myth of how most people get the idea of industrial facilities completely wrong. As he noted this isn't your grandfathers manufacturing plant anymore.

We get a peek into what Jerry does to unwind and how his passion for racquetball is a great stress reducer.  He has an amazing family and his personal why points to the True reason he gets up and serves daily.  It was an honor to hear Jerry's story and buckle up for an amazing journey. 

Remember to keep asking why!

Guest: Jerry Foster - Chief Technology Officer at PLEX

Fire Someone Today
Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams

PLEX Website

Industry War Story Submission: Send us a DM!
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Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

When quality becomes part of your culture the game changes completely!

Anthony Murphy shares how he and the team at PLEX stay focused on building solutions that helps organizations align to achieve amazing results.  When everyone is driving in the same direction greatness awaits and the leaders of manufacturing recognize there is tremendous power in this mindset.

He reviews how to take a holistic approach to quality and why every stakeholder plays a role in the path to excellence.  The days of quality being a stand alone department are transitioning where all team members are now able to see how they make a direct impact.  Anthony walks out a suggested path forward to those wanting to lean in without making drastic wholesale changes.  He points to the importance of solidifying quick wins that drive impactful business outcomes.  Once measurable success is realized then the snowball begins to take over.

Towards the end of this conversation Anthony gives an inside look at his journey and provides great lessons to find success in industry.  He is an avid runner and he is the first interview to share that he enjoys listening to earning calls for publicly traded manufacturing companies while he's logging in the miles!

This conversation is chocked full of wisdom and insight that will connect the dots on the ever changing world of quality and how that mindset is leading industry towards great things in the future. 

Guest: Anthony Murphy VP Product Management at PLEX

PLEX Website

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

We need more evangelists for manufacturing!

Curt Anderson is one of the most energetic and impactful voices that is ensuring manufacturing get the attention it deserves.  He is extremely passionate about helping manufacturers connect with customers through eCommerce solutions and in this epic Hero conversation he shares his amazing story.

Curt took the entrepreneurial plunge in the midst of COVID and never looked back.  He shares a ton of insight into how he responds to the needs of others and builds his business on helping manufacturers connect their solutions to the clients they can serve when they need it the most.  His knowledge around all things eCommerce is incredible and no matter your line of business there are insights guaranteed to help you grow. 

He speaks to the importance of niching down until it hurts and how trying to be everything to everyone never leads to the results you desire.  It was an honor to have Curt share his amazing story and with the energy he brings in this interview you may consider doing this one while working out.  He'll have you laughing, inspired and ready to be the best version of yourself.  Cheers to our hero Curt Anderson!

Remember to keep asking why!

Guest: Curt Anderson - eCommerce Evangelist for Manufacturers at B2Btail

Stop Being the Best Kept Secret: Manufacturing eCommerce Strategies
How I Built This
Ed Mylett Podcast

Industry War Story Submission: Send us a DM!
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Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) are impacting factory floors like never before.

In this information packed episode we welcome Jerry Foster from Plex to unpack the realities of these powerful solutions.  He shares how the need for manufacturers to track and document the transformation of raw materials into finished goods led to an exciting world of MES.

Manufacturers desire control and reporting in ways to maximize efficiencies and ultimately profits in the future.   Jerry shares a ton of insight into how every manufacturer can begin utilizing data to make more informed decisions.  He covers how IT fits into the puzzle and what members of any plant operations can expect from a robust MES solution.

He digs in and reviews areas that can be hurdles with implementation and how you can take action to ensure they do not hinder results.  For those thinking that their operations are not large enough just hold on.  The stats Jerry shares will challenge that head on and you will quickly realize this is not just for the elite manufacturers out there.

There is nugget after nugget of pure MES gold in this conversation and at the end of the day Jerry does a phenomenal job of simplifying the idea of MES so that you can make informed decisions moving forward.  It was an honor to have Jerry clear the air on the powerful world of MES.

For support with your MES needs contact our team of experts who are ready to walk with you for a powerful system that will meet all of your manufacturing goals! 

Remember to keep asking why!

Guest: Jerry Foster - Chief Technology Officer at PLEX

PLEX Website

Industry War Story Submission: Send us a DM!
Facebook
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Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Your work environment affects your impact. 

In this New Year's Special Chris shares a recent idea he implemented with the EECO Asks Why studio that can be utilized wherever you find yourself working.  With as much time as we spend at work throughout our careers having pride in your environment is key.  

Moving forward into the new year think about what can you modify in your work environment to make an impact. It may not be a complete redesign – maybe it's a new filing system, cleaning the top of your desk, trying inbox zero or incorporating a new habit like a lunchtime walk/run that makes the most sense for you. 

The bottom line is to do the best you can to make your work environment something you can be proud of and thrive in! 

EECO is excited for 2023 and has a ton of new resources coming to serve you at the highest level. Thank you for the support and remember to keep asking why. 

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

The Christmas season brings lots of opportunities to step away and reflect.  One of the benefits of that reflection is the ability to see what is working and what adjustments you should consider in the future.  

In this Christmas special Chris shares 5 valuable insights he's learned from procurement professionals that have recently come on the show. Their knowledge is sure to help many improve their processes and achieve amazing results in the future. 

The main points covered are:

• Find ways to automate
• Remove the friction
• Utilized data to look back and analyze 
• Get creative with freight
• Ask better questions

We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and let us know if any of these tips resonate with you as you adjust your process going forward.

Remember to keep asking why!

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets