Once the PO comes in, it's easy to fall into the trap of "just get it done." But if we don't manage orders with intention and clarity, we're setting ourselves—and our teams—up for chaos. In this episode of the Machine Shop MBA series, we break down what it really takes to run a smooth, efficient production floor.

This isn't just about buying software or printing a checklist. It's about building a culture where planning is seen as an act of leadership, not overhead. We share lessons from our own experiences—like rebuilding internal systems from scratch and learning the hard way that quoting means nothing if we can't deliver on time.

We explore how order management touches everything: lead times, stress levels, team morale, and profit margins. We talk about what it means to serve internal customers, how to build standards everyone can actually follow, and why checklists might just be the most underrated tool in your shop.

If we want to stop firefighting, reduce turnover, and grow a business that lasts, we need to start treating order management like the strategic function it is. Because without a plan, even good shops fall short.

Segments

• (1:39) Stay tuned: Top Shops 2025 registration coming soon!
• (2:40) Paul's early lessons from Pro CNC
• (4:59) The role of ERP systems and process discipline—even for small shops
• (8:18) Why you need a detailed process for making parts (with associated timing)
• (12:04) Identifying bottlenecks early: the Herbie analogy and long lead-time items
• (15:19) Planning as leadership: how we reduce chaos and stress for our teams
• (17:12) What "kind leadership" actually looks like
• (18:49) The power of checklists for staying on-track
• (21:25) Grow your top and bottom-line with CLA
• (23:02) Defining complete and accurate: internal customers and downstream clarity
• (27:40) Scheduling mistakes: why poor input ruins even the best software
• (31:06) How we build lead-time buffers and deal with vendor risk
• (35:37) Letting ERP guide quoting, planning, and scheduling
• (38:51) Investing time to save time: building in space for continuous improvement
• (43:30) What great kitting actually looks like—and how it cuts setup time
• (47:47) Wrapping up Part 1—with a joke, of course
• (48:47) Why investing in ProShop ERP is investing in your business

Resources mentioned on this episode

• Stay tuned: Top Shops 2025 registration coming soon!
• The Tech Stack Advantage
• Profit Starts with the Quote
• "The Goal" By Eliyahu Goldratt
• "The Checklist Manifesto" by Atul Gawande
• The KAIZEN™ methodology
• ProShop Setup Reduction Guide

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