Today's guest, entrepreneur, speaker, and product leader Radhika Dutt, will challenge a core business belief that many of us have probably held for years – that traditional goal-setting frameworks like OKRs, KPIs, or SMART goals, are the surest path to performance and progress.

In fact, she'll argue that focusing so intently on numbers and targets can actually backfire.

So what instead then?

In this episode, you'll learn about an alternative approach rooted in curiosity, problem-solving, and genuine learning over performance theater.

This approach introduces practical ways to encourage creativity, foster real collaboration, and drive change – whether you’re leading a factory floor or reimagining what effective leadership looks like.

Imagine a factory floor where specialized AI agents tackle real manufacturing roles – from inventory planning to quality inspection, each with their own set of tasks and responsibilities.

Today, CEO and Co-Founder of First Resonance, Karan Talati, will dig into the practical side of agentic AI: how these intelligent systems are moving beyond theory to fill very specific job functions inside modern factories.

You’ll hear concrete examples of how AI agents can streamline workflows, reduce costly errors, and even help human teams focus on higher value work.

We’ll also look ahead at what it means to build, deploy, and organize a factory workforce increasingly made up of both people and purpose-built artificial intelligence.

In today’s conversation, you'll hear from CEO of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Pete Connolly.

Pete has spent over 40 years navigating the manufacturing landscape – from running divisions at a global defense company to leading a statewide organization dedicated to empowering small and midsize manufacturers.

He’ll break down what the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network actually does, and why it’s so critical – especially in the face of workforce shortages, shifting supply chains and the ongoing challenge of keeping manufacturing jobs close to home.

You’ll also hear how creative workforce programs, hands-on training tours, and targeted support are shaping the next generation of industry talent.

What separates high-performing engineering teams from the rest?

In this conversation, founder of Pipeline Design & Engineering, Aaron Moncur, will talk about the often overlooked drivers of engineering success, from the power of clear communication to the role of psychological safety and trust within teams.

He'll explain why technical expertise alone isn’t enough to thrive, and how practical things – like choosing a phone call over an email or empowering engineers to act independently – can make all the difference.

We’ll also discuss how engineering education is evolving beyond traditional degrees, with innovative ways for professionals to learn, connect, and grow.

In today's conversation, Vice President, Asset Lifecycle Management Products and Engineering at IBM, Kendra DeKeyrel, shares how AI is already making a difference on factory floors – from visual inspections that spot defects in real time to smart software that optimizes field service and work orders.

But what happens when AI can act autonomously, as an agent, linking workflows and amplifying productivity?

Kendra will share practical steps manufacturers can take to break through data and tool barriers, and offer a glimpse at a future where agentic AI and asset lifecycle management work seamlessly together.

In today’s conversation, Vice President of Economic Development for the North Carolina Community College System, John Loyack, will use the success of his home state to illustrate what it takes to become a thriving manufacturing hub today.

You’ll hear why the workforce itself must be treated as critical infrastructure – every bit as important as roads or utilities.

We'll dig into what’s driving major companies to choose certain locations over others, and how customized training solutions and leadership development programs arecontributing to those decisions.

And for those unsure of where to start, you’ll get practical advice for tapping into state-level support you might not even know exists.

From a global pandemic to kick off this decade to the tariff rollercoaster of 2025, recent history has created plenty of reasons for American manufacturers to assemble a base of credible, responsive suppliers right here in North America.

In today's conversation, Vice President at Advanced Purchasing Dynamics, Mike Wynn, will discuss why purchasing teams – often accustomed to low-cost overseas sourcing – find themselves navigating this unfamiliar territory in today's manufacturing environment.

He'll share details about his organization's process for rapidly identifying and vetting potential suppliers, explain why understanding stakeholder needs up front is critical, and spell out some of the characteristics that makes a supplier truly stand out (or get quickly weeded out).

In today's episode, senior coach at Lean Enterprise Institute, Mark Reich, dives into a Japanese strategic planning methodology that was born out of Toyota.

Known as Hoshin Kanri, this system is focused on building alignment from the executive suite down to the shop floor, and driving meaningful action at every level.

In our conversation, we'll discuss the pitfalls that manufacturing organizations can face when strategy becomes detached from reality, and why company visions often remain stuck as slogans rather than sparking genuine change.

We'll also talk about why transforming company culture, building accountability, and developing leaders are all part of a holistic process that starts at the top of the organization.

How can you transform a website visit from a qualified prospect into a real, human conversation?

This is the question my guest, President of ManufacturingChats.com, Nelson Bruton, will be answering in today's episode.

Specifically, he'll explain how a human-powered website chat function can drive that engagement.

In this conversation, we'll explore the misconceptions around live chat, the impact of changing buyer behaviors and what it means to eliminate friction from your customers’ journey.

George Pesansky has spent more than 30 years driving operational excellence and performance improvement in the manufacturing sector.

And his perspective turns some conventional wisdom on its head.

In this episode, he’ll reveal why focusing on the root causes of SUCCESS (rather than failure), leads to breakthrough results on the shop floor and beyond.

He’ll challenge the notion that copying industry giants is the surest path to operational improvement.

And he'll share his approach to maximizing the value already there inside of your workforce.