The cornerstone of a thriving organization lies within its leadership. In this episode, we have the privilege of hearing the insights of a seasoned leader from the manufacturing industry, who will impart two of his 11 fundamental principles for fostering a strong team to cultivate success.

Our distinguished guest, Scott Spencer, served as the recent president of Island Abbey Food Sciences, with an impressive career of 25 years solely dedicated to leadership and executive-level positions within the manufacturing industry. Throughout this episode, Scott will generously share his remarkable journey – from his military background to his pivot into the manufacturing sector – and the deep beliefs that form the foundation of his guiding principles.

Join us in warmly welcoming Scott Spencer!

00:37 - Introduction: Scott Spencer

01:16 - Career Background 

05:54  - Scott’s first leadership lesson

08:08  - From military to supply chain

12:00 - Scott’s recruiting background

14:10 - Behind the leadership principles

15:51 - The worst thing Scott did in his career

18:32 - Servant leadership

21:21 - The beginning of leadership

24:00 - Leading by example

27:29 - First leadership principle: Integrity

30:58 - The power of ownership32:23 - Second leadership principle: “They” is the four-letter word

36:55 - Closing

Connect with Scott Spencer:

·         Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-spencer-14191a122/ 

Connect with Christina Stroud:

·         Schedule a 15-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/office-hours

·         Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/

·         Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41ArPmp 

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3Nn4ZZo 

iHeart: https://ihr.fm/3NvdFgu 

Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3Xp6mv7 

Amazon/Audible:https://bit.ly/46hsVGa 

In this exciting episode, we meet Richard Morris, a skilled leader and mentor who transitioned from the automotive industry to the aerospace field with SpaceX! We'll explore Rich's remarkable journey and learn valuable lessons for building a successful career. Rich shares his career tips to help you reach new heights and achieve great success.

Want a sneak peek? Here are a few tips from Rich: 1) Build your professional network in the field you're interested in. 2) Stay humble, look for ways to help others, and contribute to your workplace. 3) Recognize your strengths and focus on using them effectively, rather than dwelling on your weaknesses, as your strengths are where you can provide the most value. 

This episode demands your undivided attention. Without further ado, let’s extend a warm welcome to the remarkable Rich Morris!

00:40 - Introduction: Rich Morris

01:29 - Career Journey

02:49 - BMW journey 

03:39 - What drew Rich to cars and rockets?

05:20 - Generation of automotive professionals

06:10 - MBA decision

08:25 - Rich’s unintentional move

11:37 - Career advice from Rich 

14:21 - The power of influence

15:20 - Three (3) steps for a successful career

17:48 - Importance of self-awareness

20:30 - The humble leader

22:40 - “Create and develop folks that are better than you and leave the organization in better shape than you found it”.

23:11 - Closing

Connect with Richard Morris:

·         Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-morris-15786124/ 

Connect with Christina Stroud

·         Schedule a 15-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/office-hours

·         Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/

·         Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41ArPmp 

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3Nn4ZZo 

iHeart: https://ihr.fm/3NvdFgu 

Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3Xp6mv7 
Amazon/Audible:https://bit.ly/46hsVGa

Get ready to unlock the secrets of business success that @David Friedson (star emoji) has used throughout his career. In this episode of @Manufacturing365, we dive into David’s world, a visionary leader who is known for planning and being intentional with business decisions. 

David built his career in Supply Chain using techniques for keeping his organization intact despite bumps in the business and the industry. Contingency planning for all of the functions he is responsible for, as well as his team members, suppliers, vendors and customers is one of his greatest strengths.  

Listen to our conversation and pick up some gold nuggets that might help your career or your business.  And learn about heliskiing!  

00:00 - Introduction: David Friedson 

02:57 - David's career history

05:09 - Inxeption’s business 

05:28 - What drew David to Inxeption?

08:01 - Supply chain as a career choice

09:05 - Lessons from his career

10:14 - The value and art of delegating

14:30 - Managing team members’ why 

17:28 - Communication: how David sees it’s more than a team meeting 

18:42 - CoVid: David’s preparation and planning 

20:34 - Contingency planning 

28:43 - Balance career and personal life

30:21 - Adventures

34:11 - Three (3) tips for your career 

39:30 - Hiring talent

40:47 - Taking risks is the key to advancing your career 

42:01 - David’s mantra in life – “Be the person in the arena!”

43:22 - Closing

Connect with David Friedson:

Connect with Christina Stroud

Reno Deaton is the Executive Vice President at Greer Development Corporation (GDC). In his role, Reno supports recruiting new businesses, supporting a company’s development, and growing the city to ensure it is enticing for companies to consider making Greer, SC home. 

In today’s episode, Reno shares his story and the unique ways the GDC and the manufacturing community work hand in hand to grow and develop

This episode is perfect for anyone who is looking for ways to grow their business.  Reno and his team at the GDC are shining examples of how a community and a manufacturing business can support each other.

00:29 – Welcome Reno Deaton

22:35 – How to find a similar role as a career

Connect with Reno Deaton

· Reno’s email: [email protected]

· Reno on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reno-deaton-bb4b6a7/

· Greer Development’s website: https://greerdevelopment.com/

Connect with Christina Stroud

· Set up a 30-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/30-minute-discovery-call

· Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/

· Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/

Over the last decades, personnel departments have been replaced by Human Resources departments, and todays’ guest would like to see HR continue to evolve into a new, strategic function called People & Culture.

In this Episode, Ashley Larochelle shares her experience in creating an intentional culture within a growing business. She knew that as her company was moving from a distribution focus to a manufacturing focus, that the people were the key to making the strategic change a success.

Her business mindset helps her create new and innovate ways to ensure retention rates are high. Ashley created an incentive plan that worked for all employees, added benefits that were low cost to the company but high value to the employees, and focuses a lot of her time and effort in recruiting the best candidates who can add value to Thermacell.

Listen as I chat with a forward-thinking HR professional who sets the bar high for all other HR Executives.

00:00 - Introduction

03:40 - Why did you join Thermacell?

05:12 – Ashely does not lead Thermacell as a traditional HR function

08:36 - Ashley’s journey and accomplishments in Thermacell

09:31 - Getting the right people on the bus

10:30 - From Distribution center to Manufacturing

11:31 - New incentive program for all employees

12:49 - Key to why people thrive – attracting and retaining the right talent

14:33 - The Human not the Resource

16:05 – Be an employer that focuses on caring

18:05 - Employees using time for Physical and Mental Health

19:01 - The unique benefits Thermacell offers

22:59 - The game changer

24:33 - How did you get into HR?

25:28 - Treating people as humans and not resources

32:35- End

Connect with Ashley Larochelle

· Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-larochelle-5b655a53/

· Thermacell’s website: https://www.thermacell.com/

Connect with Christina Stroud

· Set up a 30-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/30-minute-discovery-call

· Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/

· Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/

Episode Outline and Highlights:

Many professionals in the manufacturing industry find themselves making challenging business and personal decisions in a fast-paced environment. Managers must balance their technical and their people responsibilities, decide if they want to manage global responsibilities, join a young, fast-growing a company, or take a leap and embark on an expatriate assignment. All these decisions are multi-faceted and should include considering the needs of the family involved.

Clemens Schmitz-Justen built on his Engineering foundation and served in various Executive roles in global manufacturing and now owns an international consulting firm. He was also the Honorary Consul in South Carolina for Germany while after he was in South Carolina as Plant President for BMW Manufacturing.

During this episode we discuss his fascinating career steps, how he managed the technical and people needs at the same time, and the pros and cons of moving internationally. Clemens shares stories and examples from his career and how his family was impacted by the choices made.

00:30 - Welcome Clemens Schmitz-Justen

Connect with Clemens Schmitz-Justen

· Clemens on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clemens-schmitz-justen-a5a4a721/

· Clemens’ website: http://www.easc-group.com/

· Clemens’ email address: [email protected]

Connect with Christina Stroud

· Set up a 30-minute introductory call: https://calendly.com/christina_group928/30-minute-discovery-call

· Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stroud-sphr/

· Group928 website: https://www.group928.com/

Welcome to Manufacturing 365 where we spend time learning from each other. We will hear from manufacturing rock stars, startup founders, thought leaders, and others, to support this platform’s purpose – We will share ideas, set examples, and be a little thought provoking in the manufacturing world.