Curious about to navigate a sales downtown in industrial manufacturing? In this episode of MakingSparks, Casey Voelker and Matthew Nix dive into the power of leveraging CRM systems like Pipedrive to drive business growth. They share their journey of customizing Pipedrive to fit their needs. 

The hosts also discuss the challenges of navigating economic downturns, offering practical advice on keeping teams engaged and business development efforts strong during slow times. If you're looking for actionable insights on data-driven strategies and maintaining momentum in tough markets, this episode is for you!

Breakdown of the Episode:

[0:00] Introduction: Data-driven strategies in business [2:15] The role of Pipedrive in CRM and customizations [7:20] Facing economic downturns and mindset shifts [9:35] Captivated Content’s recovery from tough months [12:05] The importance of maintaining customer relationships [15:30] Real-world examples of sales cycles and follow-ups [18:50] Adapting strategies during slower business periods [22:10] Balancing cost control and revenue generation [25:40] Leadership focus: Shifting gears and leading through challenges [30:00] Closing remarks and a dad joke by Casey Voelker

Resources Mentioned: 

• ProFab Alliance
• Pipedrive
• Monday.Com
• Captivated Content

Did you know that the way you're marketing right now could be your secret weapon for massive growth? In this eye-opening episode of MakingSparks, we dive deep with Alissa Paik, an expert in leveraging existing marketing efforts combined with new opportunities to improve your brand perception and marketing results.  Alissa shares invaluable insights on why doubling down on your current strategies might be the key to unlocking your brand's full potential.

Join Casey Voelker, Matthew Nix, and Alissa Paik as they explore real-world examples and actionable tips that can transform your approach to marketing. Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or simply curious about optimizing your efforts, this episode is packed with knowledge that could redefine your strategy.

There are over 1 billion users on LinkedIn worldwide, 200 million of which are in the United States. Manufacturing is one of the largest industry segments represented on LinkedIn. Interestingly, LinkedIn is rewarding people who create content and share it on their platform. Why? It’s simple—they need more content.

It’s time for manufacturing and fabrication businesses to take advantage of these facts. But how? In this episode of MakingSparks, Preston Hadley—the President & Founder of Envision Automation & Controls—shares how his content strategy on LinkedIn not only grew his following but transformed his business. 

– Matthew Nix

• [3:11] Preston’s background in the industry 
• [2:05] Achieve on-time delivery with ProShop 
• [2:52] Envision Automation & Controls
• [6:02] Learn more about ProFab Alliance 
• [6:45] Casey’s dad joke
• [8:10] Growing a LinkedIn presence
• [13:50] Finding a balance with content
• [19:43] Graduate to NetSuite by Oracle
• [26:59] How to write on LinkedIn
• [30:03] Getting started on LinkedIn

• Connect with Preston Hadley on LinkedIn
• Envision Automation & Controls

• www.MakingChips.com
• On Facebook
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• On Twitter
• On YouTube

What’s keeping you up at night? What are you excited about? It’s important to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why? First and foremost, to learn from our mistakes. But secondly, to embrace gratitude. Even despite challenges and setbacks, there’s always room for gratefulness and thankfulness.

So in this episode of MakingSparks, Casey and I sit down to discuss the challenges we’re facing and exciting changes happening in our businesses. We also share why we don’t let worry consume us and instead, practice gratitude. 

– Matthew Nix

• [2:39] What’s keeping Matthew up at night? 
• [3:28] How ProFab Alliance can help you
• [4:11] Issue #1: Safety concerns in the shop
• [5:37] Issue #2: On-time delivery and customer service
• [7:24] Why you can’t let worry consume you 
• [10:31] Using ProShop ERP to manage cutting tools
• [11:45] Strategic planning for Captivated Content
• [14:14] Practicing gratitude at all times
• [15:32] What’s happening at NIX Industrial
• [19:26] Launching a franchising business

Have questions? Want to be a guest? Reach out to us on LinkedIn! We’d love to hear from you. 

• ProFab Alliance
• Man’s Search for Meaning
• ProShop ERP

• www.MakingChips.com
• On Facebook
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• On Twitter
• On YouTube

Did you know that only about 6% of welders are women? Women bring a much-needed perspective and expertise to the table. So how do we get more women in welding? NIX has actively been trying to recruit, hire, and retain more women. 

In this episode of MakingSparks, we sit down with Tori Guzman and Aubree Beyer to hear what they think we can do—or continue doing—to draw more female interest to the welding industry. Listen to learn what you can do to change the welding workforce.

– Casey Voelker

• [1:13] Join the AMT community!
• [3:08] Learn more about Tori Guzman and Aubree Beyer
• [8:25] Learn more about ProFab Alliance 
• [10:38] Why Tori is transitioning out of welding 
• [15:44] Why you should consider NetSuite by Oracle
• [17:02] How to attract and retain women in welding 
• [22:55] Why women should consider welding 
• [25:10] How leaders can encourage women in welding 
• [31:21] What Aubree and Tori find rewarding about welding
• [35:43] Wrapping things up with Casey’s dad joke 

• ProFab Alliance
• Join the AMT Community
• NetSuite by Oracle
• IMTS 2024

• www.MakingChips.com
• On Facebook
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• On Twitter
• On YouTube

You need to know the “numbers” in your business. Every business owner needs to know that they’re making enough to pay their employees, make and deliver their products, and grow the business. That’s just good business.

Non-financial metrics are important, too. A successful business has to focus on quality, safety, customer service, on-time delivery, retention, and even culture. Because if your culture is dialed in, the numbers will prove it.

We take a deep look at the different numbers that are important for a manufacturing business to know in this part 2 episode of MakingSparks with Mike Payne. 

Also, listen to the end for a BIG announcement.

– Matthew Nix

• [1:00] Recapping part I with Mike Payne
• [3:13] Everything comes down to numbers
• [13:59] How to learn the numbers
• [17:49] How to decide what’s important
• [26:38] When should you hire someone?
• [35:20] Introducing “By the Numbers”

• ProFab Alliance

• www.MakingChips.com
• On Facebook
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• On Twitter
• On YouTube

Mike Payne has spent the last 20+ years deeply entrenched in the M&A process with dozens of companies throughout Oklahoma. Early in his career, he realized he loved the world of manufacturing. He also learned that he enjoyed operating a business. He was just waiting for the right opportunity to unfold. 

Then it happened: Six years ago, Mike was able to purchase Hill Manufacturing. In this episode of MakingSparks, we chat with Mike about his work in the M&A space, why he made acquisitions close to home, and what led to his passion for manufacturing. 

– Matthew Nix

• [1:10] Chit-chatting with Mike Payne
• [5:26] Spark of Knowledge: Strategic Planning
• [6:39] Casey’s dad joke 
• [7:29] Mike’s background in manufacturing
• [9:32] Mike’s work in the M&A space
• [12:30] Why start with acquisitions close to home? [17:54] Get NetSuite by Oracle
• [19:11] Why Mike decided to run a business 
• [26:02] Why build relationships within the industry?

• Warren Buffett's 2024 Annual Letter To Shareholders
• Get NetSuite by Oracle
• The Six Types of Working Genius

• www.MakingChips.com
• On Facebook
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• On Twitter
• On YouTube

How can leadership remain connected to what’s happening on the shop floor? At Nix, we’ve found a creative way to bridge a gap that many businesses experience. We’ve implemented a program that allows our front line to address problems and propose solutions so that their everyday real-world problems are being fixed. Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan return to share how this program has positively impacted them and the business. 

– Matthew Nix

• [1:03] Netsuite by Oracle’s CFO's Ultimate KPI Checklist
• [4:56] Casey’s dad joke (stolen from his five-year-old)
• [5:41] The essential part(s) of an improvement program
• [15:48] Spark of Knowledge: Business development
• [16:59] Why communication is critical for success
• [19:37] The most rewarding part of this industry
• [21:55] The importance of a culture of respect

• Netsuite by Oracle’s CFO's Ultimate KPI Checklist

• www.MakingChips.com
• On Facebook
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• On Twitter
• On YouTube

How do we recruit more young talent to fabrication? How do we navigate rapid growth balanced with training and development? How do we help develop young talent into our future leaders? These are just a few questions we wrestle with in this episode of MakingSparks with special guests Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan. 

– Matthew Nix

• [0:48] Join the AMT online community 
• [2:14] Introducing Jack Henry Hagan & Dakta Hunt
• [3:47] Casey’s dad joke
• [4:16] Dakota’s background in fabrication
• [8:27] Jack Henry’s background in fabrication
• [11:24] Sparks of Knowledge: CRMs
• [13:45] Why fabrication is rewarding work
• [16:28] Dos and don’ts for bringing in young talent
• [21:38] How to handle rapid growth

• Join the AMT online community 
• ProFab Alliance

• www.MakingChips.com
• On Facebook
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• On Twitter
• On YouTube

BWXT Mount Vernon produces components for naval nuclear reactors, used in submarines and aircraft carriers. Their sprawling facility is home to CNC machine tools and sophisticated welding and heat-treating equipment. In this episode of MakingSparks, General Manager Nate Foote shares more about their commitment to processes, their recruiting practices, and why the work they do is incredibly important. 

– Casey

• [1:09] Learn more about AMT
• [2:38] Introducing special guest Nate Foote
• [7:57] Casey’s dad joke
• [9:31] BWXT’s team-building process
• [13:54] Their program with a local high school 
• [15:39] Spark of Knowledge: Strategic Planning 
• [17:28] The recruiting strategies they leverage 
• [26:38] Get Oracle’s KPI Checklist 
• [29:42] BWXT’s involvement in niche markets
• [31:18] Their commitment to processes
• [35:38] What’s keeping Nate up at night
• [36:35] What Nate’s most excited about

• Learn more about AMT
• Get Oracle’s KPI Checklist
• Connect with Nate on LinkedIn
• BWXT Mount Vernon

• www.MakingChips.com
• On Facebook
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• On Twitter
• On YouTube