my TRUE POSITION

Too many part numbers. Too many changeovers. Too much chaos. For years, we ran a low-volume, high-mix job shop — and it was eating us alive. Until we flipped the model.

In this episode, I break down our full-on shift to high-volume, low-mix production: what pushed us over the edge, how we pulled it off, and what every shop owner needs to hear if you're tired of running in circles. I'm talking about the pain of quoting chaos, the burnout from nonstop setups, and what we gained when we finally focused on the right kind of work.

If your machines are quiet because you're buried in prep, not production — this one's for you.

You're the face of the shop — act like it. In this episode, Jim Carr unpacks why getting out of the office, shaking hands, and "kissing babies" isn't politics… it's leadership. Whether it's a customer visit, trade show, or just showing up when it counts, your presence is your most powerful tool.

Inside This Episode:

What "kissing babies" really means in manufacturing

How trust builds faster in person — and why that boosts your bottom line

• Real examples from the field where face-time made the difference

• How to make customer visits a strategic weapon, not a time suck

• If you're hiding behind email or think your sales team's got it covered — this one's for you.

Dropped $10K on a booth and walked away with a pocketful of business cards and no leads? You're not alone. In this gritty solo episode, I pull back the curtain on the real ROI of trade shows—what works, what doesn't, and how to stop wasting money on flashy displays with zero follow-up.

Whether you're a shop owner, ops manager, or just trying to make sense of your marketing spend, I'm giving you hard numbers, straight talk, and actionable tips to turn your next trade show into a revenue engine.

Metrics, mistakes, and money—this one's got it all.

Trade shows aren't about who stops by your booth—it's what you do after they leave.

Are you tired of chasing down payments like it's part of your job description? In this episode, Jim Carr strips down the BS and breaks down how to manage your receivables like a pro—without blowing up good customer relationships. From setting clear payment terms and dealing with Accounts Payable, to knowing exactly when to apply pressure or put someone on credit hold, Jim shares real-world tactics from the shop floor.

This ain't a finance lecture—it's a no-fluff guide to getting what you earned. If you're running a shop, this episode could save your cash flow—and your sanity.

Why does GD&T still trip people up? In this episode, I break down the real reasons prints get misread — and how it leads to confusion, wasted time, and bad parts. If you've ever scratched your head over a feature control frame, this one's for you.

From bird's nests to cowboy cuts, we're breakin' down the raw, unfiltered slang of the shop floor. It's gritty, it's funny, and yeah—we swear a little. This ain't your HR-approved glossary. Let's talk dirty.

After 40 years in the game, Jim Carr asks the question no one wants to answer out loud:

Was it easier to run a machine shop back then… or have the rules just changed?

From manual mills and customer bankruptcies to ERP systems, 5-axis automation, and ISO audits — Jim has seen it all. In this reflective episode, he breaks down the then vs. now of manufacturing leadership: what's gotten harder, what's gotten easier, and what's always stayed the same — grit.

If you run a shop or plan to one day, don't miss this one!

What do high fives, tool gifts, and 10-minute check-ins have in common? They're all ways to lead better on the shop floor. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr breaks down the 5 Love Languages of Business — and how a little appreciation can go a long way in machining, morale, and management.

In this special Space Symposium episode, Jim Carr sits down with Oliver Grassmann, Executive Vice President of Beyond Gravity's Satellites division, to reveal the powerful — and often overlooked — force driving aerospace innovation: culture.

From startup energy to decades of legacy, Beyond Gravity's real advantage is its people-first leadership. Oliver shares how building trust, liking your team, and fostering global collaboration are making a real impact in space tech.

If you think manufacturing, aerospace, or leadership is just about the tech — think again. This is a masterclass in leading with heart, precision, and vision. Tune in and feel the difference culture makes.