This episode is part of our "Future-Proof" mini-series on the Integrate Intelligently Podcast. Over three episodes, we're exploring how manufacturing leaders can build AI-ready teams—from understanding the technology to attracting talent to creating a culture that embraces change. Download our companion guide "The Manufacturer's Guide to Building an AI-Ready Workforce" linked below.

From Doer to Director: How to Build an AI-Ready Manufacturing Team

AI adoption isn't optional—it's inevitable. In this series finale, we tackle the human side of AI transformation: overcoming fear, building an AI-fluent culture, and developing the skills that will matter most in the years ahead.

In this episode:

• Why "truth-seeking and truth-telling" is the foundation of AI leadership
• The 92% rule: automate most of your job, then direct the rest
• Why learning isn't an event—it's a compounding process
• The irony: to avoid being replaced by AI, you need to learn AI
• Why people won't be replaced by AI—they'll be replaced by people using AI

Featured insight: "The irony to not be replaced by AI is to learn AI."

Resources:

- Download the guide: "The Manufacturer's Guide to Building an AI-Ready Workforce" | https://cadtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AI-and-Talent-Acquisition.pdf

- Try the ROI Calculator: https://cadtalk.com/calculating-the-cadtalk-difference/

- Request a demo: https://cadtalk.com/demo/

Connect with us:

Scott Brickler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbrickler/

Jeff Brickler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-brickler-cadtalk/

#ManufacturingAI #DigitalTransformation #IntegrateIntelligently

This episode is part of our "Future-Proof" mini-series on the Integrate Intelligently Podcast. Over three episodes, we're exploring how manufacturing leaders can build AI-ready teams—from understanding the technology to attracting talent to creating a culture that embraces change. Download our companion guide "The Manufacturer's Guide to Building an AI-Ready Workforce" linked below.

The Compelling Vision: Why AI is Your Secret Weapon for Recruiting

The talent crisis in manufacturing is real—baby boomers are retiring, fewer young people are entering the industry, and you're competing with the Teslas and SpaceXs of the world. In this episode, we explore how AI can transform your recruiting process AND make your company more attractive to top talent.

In this episode:

• Why "hiring is a sales funnel"—and how AI applies to every stage
• Using AI for candidate scoring, outreach automation, and interview analysis
• The difference between a "career" and a "job"—and why your AI vision matters
• How to position even traditional manufacturing roles as exciting opportunities
• Capturing institutional knowledge before it walks out the door

Featured insight: "The thing that attracts people to a company is a compelling vision... the difference between a career and a job."

Resources:

- Download the guide: "The Manufacturer's Guide to Building an AI-Ready Workforce"

- Try the ROI Calculator

- Request a demo

Connect with us:

Scott Brickler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbrickler/

Jeff Brickler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-brickler-cadtalk/

#ManufacturingAI #DigitalTransformation #IntegrateIntelligently

This episode is part of our "Future-Proof" mini-series on the Integrate Intelligently Podcast. Over three episodes, we're exploring how manufacturing leaders can build AI-ready teams—from understanding the technology to attracting talent to creating a culture that embraces change. Download our companion guide "The Manufacturer's Guide to Building an AI-Ready Workforce" linked below.

On-Demand Humanity: Understanding AI's Real Potential in Manufacturing

Everyone's talking about AI—but most of the conversation swings between utopia and dystopia. In this episode, we cut through the noise with a practical look at what AI actually is, where it came from, and why manufacturing is uniquely positioned to benefit.

In this episode:

- Why AI felt "sudden" (hint: exponential curves are deceiving)

- The difference between generative AI and other forms of AI - Why LLMs are essentially "on-demand humanity"—and why they hallucinate just like humans do

- How CADTALK became the first AI-driven integration in our space back in 2019

- Why manufacturing has massive untapped potential for AI adoption

Resources:

- Download the guide: "The Manufacturer's Guide to Building an AI-Ready Workforce"

- Try the ROI Calculator

- Request a demo

Connect with us:

Scott Brickler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbrickler/

Jeff Brickler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-brickler-cadtalk/

#ManufacturingAI #DigitalTransformation #IntegrateIntelligently

Most companies spend millions buying a business, then try to save $50K on integration help. That's what Steve Nunn calls "stepping over dollars to pick up nickels." In this episode, Scott Brickler sits down with Steve Nunn—CEO of Intista and the expert who guided CADTALK through the acquisition and integration of Elmo Solutions. This isn't your typical M&A success story about financial engineering and cost savings. It's about what actually happens after you sign the papers—and why most acquisitions fail at exactly that point.

Steve specializes in small-to-mid-sized business acquisitions (up to $1B) where success isn't measured by layoffs and synergies, but by whether your people stay, your culture survives, and your company can actually grow.

What You'll Learn:

- Why small business acquisitions need a fundamentally different approach than the airline mergers you see on the news

- The hidden costs sellers DON'T prepare for (spoiler: old computers are just the beginning)

- How to keep key employees engaged when they're expecting pink slips

- Why cultural differences matter more than you think (especially with Canadian/Quebec acquisitions)

- The "one word" that determines integration success

- When to bring in outside help vs. trying to DIY your integration

- Real talk about whether Scott would do it again (and what he'd do differently)

Key Insight:

The real work—and the real value—of an acquisition happens AFTER the signing. Most buyers focus on "can we afford this company?" when they should be asking "can we afford NOT to integrate it properly?"

Whether you're considering your first acquisition, you're a serial acquirer, or you're just curious about how businesses grow through M&A, this conversation reveals the reality behind the spreadsheets.

🔗 Connect with Steve Nunn: https://intista.com

🔗 Learn more about CADTALK: https://cadtalk.com

📧 Subscribe to our newsletter for more strategic insights

📋 Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction 02:18 - How Steve Found His Calling in M&A Integration 07:14 - Small vs. Large Business Acquisitions: Why They're Different 11:16 - Scott's Decision to Hire an Integration Expert 16:38 - What to Expect: Planning the Elmo Integration 22:32 - Focus on People, Not Spreadsheets 27:26 - Cost vs. Value: The Nickels & Dollars Problem 33:21 - Cultural Challenges & What Surprised Scott 40:32 - Lessons Learned & Would They Do It Again? 46:00 - What's Next for Steve & Intista #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessAcquisitions #SmallBusiness #BusinessIntegration #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #MAStrategy #EntrepreneurPodcast

Download the free guide, "DFM for Design Engineers:" https://cadtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DFM-for-Design-Engineers.pdf

In this episode of the Integrate Intelligently podcast, Jeff Brickler and Scott Brickler delve into the intricacies of Design for Manufacturing (DFM). They discuss common mistakes made during the design phase, the importance of considering real-world assembly challenges, and how gravity and material choices can affect manufacturability. The conversation also highlights the growing significance of supply chain considerations in DFM and the potential for AI to revolutionize design processes in the future. Overall, the episode emphasizes the need for engineers to maintain a practical perspective during design and to engage in thorough design reviews to ensure manufacturability.

Takeaways

- Designing for manufacturing requires a practical approach.

- Common DFM mistakes include creating unmanufacturable designs.

- Assembly challenges often arise from poor design considerations.

- Utilizing gravity can simplify assembly processes.

- Material selection impacts both cost and manufacturability.

- Supply chain constraints must be integrated into design decisions.

- AI is poised to assist in future design and manufacturing processes.

- Engineers should conduct design reviews to ensure manufacturability.

- Real-world assembly scenarios should inform design choices.

- Collaboration between design and manufacturing teams is crucial

Sound Bites

"You CAN design things that are impossible to make."

"Design reviews are essential for manufacturability."

"AI-assisted design is definitely the future."

Download the free guide, "DFM for Design Engineers:" https://cadtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DFM-for-Design-Engineers.pdf

In this episode, Jeff and Scott Brickler explore the concept of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), discussing its importance, implementation, and the role of engineers in the process. They emphasize the need for early involvement in design, collaboration between teams, and the use of data and tools to streamline manufacturing processes. The conversation also highlights the significance of templates and principles that guide DFM practices across different companies.

Takeaways

-Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is essential for successful manufacturing.

-Early involvement in the design process leads to better outcomes.

-Engineers must consider manufacturability alongside functionality.

-Collaboration between design and manufacturing teams is crucial.

-Utilizing data effectively can enhance decision-making in DFM.

-Templates can simplify the design process and ensure consistency.

-DFM principles may vary based on company capabilities and resources.

-Feedback from customers is important for refining DFM practices.

-Making the right choice the easiest option encourages adherence to DFM principles.

-Iterative approaches can be beneficial in high-volume manufacturing.

Sound Bite

"Make the right thing the easiest thing."

Chapters

00:00 - The Importance of Early DFM Integration

01:32 - Iterative vs. Principles-Based DFM

04:42 - Collaboration Between Engineers and Manufacturing

09:32 - Leveraging Data for DFM

13:03 - Simplifying DFM Processes

14:05 - Design for Manufacturing Principles

15:57 - Best Practices in DFM

19:22 - Common DFM Mistakes

Download the free guide, "DFM for Design Engineers:" https://cadtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DFM-for-Design-Engineers.pdf

In this episode of the Integrate Intelligently podcast, Jeff and Scott Brickler discuss the concept of Design for Manufacturing (DFM). They explore its definition, importance in engineering, and how it optimizes the manufacturing process. The conversation delves into the balance between manufacturability and maintenance, the significance of consistency in production, and the challenges faced in high mix, low volume manufacturing. The episode serves as an introduction to DFM, setting the stage for deeper discussions in future episodes.

Key Takeaways

-DFM stands for Design for Manufacturing, focusing on optimizing designs for production. -Engineers must consider manufacturability during the design stage.

-Optimization in engineering often involves trade-offs between cost, speed, and ease of maintenance.

-High production environments benefit significantly from DFM principles.

-Consistency in raw materials can lead to efficiency in manufacturing processes.

-Designing for manufacturability can sometimes increase costs due to material choices.

-In low volume, high mix production, standardization is key to reducing lead times.

-DFM principles can vary based on the type of production and product mix.

-Understanding what to optimize for is crucial in engineering decisions.

-Future discussions will delve deeper into practical applications of DFM.

Sound Bites

"Engineering is a game of optimizations." "What are you trying to optimize for?" "Designing for manufacturability is key."

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to DFM

01:15 - Understanding Design for Manufacturing

05:40 - Optimization in Engineering

08:28 - DFM in High Mix, Low Volume Manufacturing

12:03 - The Importance of Early DFM Integration

Connect with Us

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@cadtalk6667

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/cadtalk

Website - https://cadtalk.com/demo

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6ew1yioTzMOqMvWQxN4eZX

LinkedIn

Scott Brickler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbrickler/

Jeff Brickler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-brickler-cadtalk/

In this episode of the Integrate Intelligently podcast, John Thomas and Chris Cannady engage with Anya Ciecierski, a marketing expert in the ERP and CRM space. They discuss the transformative power of content marketing, particularly blogging, and how it can enhance visibility and engagement in the tech industry. Anya shares her journey in blogging, the evolution of content creation, and the challenges faced by companies in crafting authentic and engaging content. The conversation also delves into the role of AI in content marketing, the importance of authenticity, and the dynamics between VARs and ISVs. The episode concludes with key takeaways on leveraging conversations for content and the collaborative nature of marketing.

Takeaways

-Content marketing can transform businesses in the ERP and ISV space.

-Group blogging increases visibility and traffic for all participants.

-Authenticity in content is crucial for building trust with audiences.

-AI can assist in content creation but should not replace human insight.

-Conversations with customers can be a rich source of content ideas.

-The Microsoft Dynamics community is known for its friendliness and support.

-Measuring ROI in content marketing can be challenging but is essential.

-Building relationships through content can lead to valuable partnerships.

-The future of content marketing will involve more AI integration.

-Consistency in content creation is key to long-term success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

01:29 The Power of Content Marketing in ERP and CRM

04:03 The Evolution of ERP and CRM Blogs

10:07 Challenges in Content Creation and Authenticity

17:20 Leveraging AI in Content Marketing

20:17 Building Trust and Authenticity in AI Content

28:36 Measuring ROI from Group Blogging

30:02 The Power of Consistent Content

36:03 Navigating Relationships in the ERP Ecosystem

43:13 The Future of Content Marketing and AI

49:21 Transforming Conversations into Valuable Content

Links:

Anya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyacc/

ERP Software Blog on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/erpsoftwareblog/

ERP Software Blog: https://erpsoftwareblog.com/

CADTALK's website: https://cadtalk.com/

Jeff and Scott dive deep into CAD Talk's product evolution, exploring why most integration tools simply "throw data over the wall" while CAD Talk takes a transformational approach. Scott shares the breakthrough moment that shifted their philosophy from basic data syncing to intelligent transformation, explaining how raw materials and routing requirements revealed the fundamental differences between engineering and manufacturing bills of materials.

Key Takeaways

• Integration vs. Transformation: Most tools simply automate data silos, while true integration requires transforming engineering intent into manufacturing execution
• E-BOM ≠ M-BOM: Engineering and manufacturing bills of materials serve different purposes and shouldn't be forced into symmetry
• Beyond Import Tools: Saving keystrokes is table stakes - the real job is getting products from design to manufactured goods that generate revenue
• Holistic Problem Solving: Micro-optimizations in engineering can create macro problems downstream in manufacturing
• Data Doesn't Need to Live in CAD: Manufacturing-specific data like product codes and routings don't belong in engineering systems

Best Quote

"Until we figure out how to create anti-matter replicators like we have in Star Trek, where you literally just take the idea that you have and it just generates it out of anti-matter, somebody has to figure out how to make the darn thing. That's what the ERP does." - Scott Brickler

Episode Timestamps

• 00:07 - Introduction to CAD Talk product evolution discussion
• 02:27 - Why this story matters: positioning as AI intelligence engine vs. import tool
• 05:17 - The journey spectrum: importing is just the beginning
• 07:37 - The "linky model" problem and engineer perspective limitations
• 11:04 - Breaking down the symmetry assumption between CAD and ERP
• 17:17 - The breakthrough moment: raw materials as transformation catalyst
• 21:44 - Why linking breaks down when solving the complete problem
• 25:51 - System theory and micro vs. macro optimization examples
• 30:03 - Market confusion and problem awareness evolution
• 34:55 - Introduction to Design for Manufacturing (DFM) approach
• 37:37 - Wrap-up and preview of next DFM-focused episode

Connect with us:

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@cadtalk6667

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/cadtalk

Website - https://cadtalk.com/demo

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6ew1yioTzMOqMvWQxN4eZX

Scott Brickler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbrickler/

Jeff Brickler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-brickler-cadtalk/

Jeff and Scott welcome Tim Ryan, Construction Sales Executive for North America at WIA Systems, to discuss the unique challenges of construction technology. Tim shares insights from his construction background and explains how the industry differs from manufacturing in terms of variability, change management, and technology adoption. The conversation explores construction's evolution from cost-focused legacy systems to modern ERP solutions, the complexity of managing multiple subcontractors and constant project changes, and why construction remains a "laggard of laggards" in technology adoption compared to manufacturing.

Key Takeaways

• Construction's Extreme Variability: Unlike manufacturing's engineer-to-order, construction projects involve constant changes from multiple stakeholders with limited control over variables
• Technology Laggard Status: Construction significantly lags behind manufacturing in technology adoption, creating opportunities for companies that embrace modern ERP systems
• Data Ownership Matters: Construction companies generate valuable data but often don't own or leverage it effectively due to multi-tenant SaaS limitations
• Integration Complexity: Construction projects require coordination between multiple CAD systems, subcontractors, and software platforms that don't communicate effectively

Best Quote

"Construction has a lot of point solutions... everybody talks about how they'd like to do it that way, but they don't. And those are the kinds of things where we want to provide the tools to be able to do that easily." - Tim Ryan

Timestamps

00:07 - Introduction to Tim Ryan and WIA Systems background

02:23 - Tim's construction industry experience and technology journey

06:55 - Evolution of construction software from cost management to comprehensive solutions

11:33 - Data as asset: people, materials, and data as core problem categories

16:07 - Construction vs. engineering-to-order manufacturing differences

20:42 - Change management and ripple effects in construction projects

25:13 - CAD integration challenges in construction workflows

29:46 - Real-world example of construction change complexity

34:27 - Collaborative modeling limitations and IP protection concerns

41:25 - Competitive advantages and business process standardization

46:12 - Legacy construction ERP limitations and cottage industry solutions

52:55 - SaaS vendor lock-in and data ownership challenges

Tim Ryan and WIA:

Tim Ryan | LinkedIn

WIA Systems is a global ERP, FSM, CRM & BI services provider.