Episode 2 features California Council for Excellence (CEE) Vice Chair Dr. David Spong and Shields Resource Group Principal Denise Shields. David and Denise explain what the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is, what happens when a company receives the award, and the impact of the Baldrige process not only on quality and productivity but on company culture.

Episode 1 features two CMTC Cyber Physical Security Services consultants: Ernie Edmonds and Buzz Thomas. Ernie and Buzz cover ten best practices for improving cybersecurity, including small business system architecture, device hygiene, multi-factor authentication, and more. They also discuss the importance of people in establishing and maintaining strong cybersecurity.

Episode 1 features Engage Forward Consultant, Trainer, & Coach/Advocate Lisa Rawcliffe and CMTC Senior Manager of HR, Administration, & Recruitment Jeri Summer. Lisa and Jeri discuss the factors impacting SMMs in the current labor market, top tips to attracting and retaining talent, and the importance of workforce development.

Season Five of Shifting Gears deep-dives into talent recruitment & retention, cybersecurity best practices, and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Shifting Gears’ host Gregg Profozich is joined by subject matter experts to explore each of this season’s topics.

Episode 3 features Business Strategy & Family Business Advisor/Sales & Marketing expert Larry Kirsch as well as two professors from the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at California State University, Northridge – Dr. Lois M. Shelton and Dr. Daniel Degravel. Larry, Lois, and Daniel discuss what strategic planning is, the advantages of having a strategic plan, and how strategic planning ties into budgeting. The group closes with concrete steps to begin the strategic planning process and how to measure progress after implementation.

Episode 2 features Supply Chain/Operations & Management Consultant Gary Steinberg. Gary discusses how the pandemic has affected global supply chains, how SMMs can evaluate supply chain risks, the benefits of supplier scouting, and how SMMs can get started with supply chain strategy.

Episode 1 features Spearhead TEI President Dr. Tony Lopez. Tony explains what ransomware is and how it works, the types of ransomware that exist and possible entry points, what happens when a company falls victim to a ransomware attack, and what practices SMMs should consider implementing to prevent attacks.

Season Four of Shifting Gears deep-dives into ransomware and recovery, supply chain resiliency, and budgeting and strategic planning. Shifting Gears’ host Gregg Profozich is joined by subject matter experts to explore each of this season’s topics.

Episode 4 features James Sly, President & CEO of the East County Economic Development Council; Pierre Coeurdeuil, Advising & Education Director for SFMade; and Ricardo Vasquez, Economic Policy Manager for the LA Mayor’s Office. James, Pierre, and Ricardo discuss how their organizations first got involved with MFG Day, the eye-opening experiences they’ve had at local manufacturers’ facilities during MFG Day, and the steps and benefits of hosting a MFG Day event.

Episode 3 features Dr. Richard M. Seugling, Manufacturing Engineering Section Leader at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL); Jay Dinsmore, Founder and CEO of Dinsmore Inc.; and Matt Sand, Co-Founder and President of 3DEO. Richard, Jay, and Matt define additive manufacturing and discuss how to determine if this technology is right for your company, what to consider before taking the additive journey, and what they see for the future of additive.