What's it like to be a robot boss and why is this an exciting new career of the future of work? Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Florian Pestoni, Co-Founder and CEO of InOrbit AI to learn more about how manufacturing companies and supply chain companies are utilizing cutting edge cloud technology to enable the workforce of the future. Joined by Ryan Treece as a guest co-host, Ryan and Ann go in depth with Florian to talk more about his experience as a Founder of multiple companies, his advice for the future of the workforce and some hot takes on pizza, music and what manufacturing jobs could look like in the next 10-15 years.

In This Episode:

-Florian and Ann share their mutual love for working with start up companies and Florian gives his unique perspective for members of the audience interested in what an average day looks like as a Founder (~timestamp 5:42)

-Florian shares his top advice for candidates that are interested in working for a startup company and shares what that advice has in common with one of his passions- pizza (~timestamp 11:13)

-Florian goes into detail more about what it will be like interacting with robots as our coworkers of the future and shares how that will impact every industry (~timestamp 26:36)

More About Florian Pestoni:

Florian is an accomplished business leader and author, with hands-on experience bringing innovative products to market. As InOrbit’s CEO and co-founder, Florian leads strategy, fundraising and go-to-market activities. He is passionate about raising awareness around the new category of RobOps, sharing his compelling vision for the evolution of robotics and the future of work. He is also a co-founder of the Robot Operations Group, a community-led organization of experts in scaling robot deployments. Florian is an investor, advisor, board member, and mentor to young startup founders. To learn more about Florian, connect with him here.

More About InOrbit AI:

InOrbit is the leading provider of SaaS RobOps - DevOps for robotics. InOrbit offers a secure, scalable, cloud-based robot management and analytics platform that enables robotics companies and their customers to develop, deploy and operate smart robots at global scale. Our platform is designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing programs and other services, bringing RobOps to scale. InOrbit's mission is to enable a world where humans, robots and AI work together to drive radical productivity improvements and enable people to reach new heights. Learn more about InOrbit AI here.

Manufacturing careers are for everyone, especially creatives! In this episode, we dive into the intersection of manufacturing innovation and the perspectives of the Gen Z workforce. Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Jacob Sanchez, the MFGKid, for a dynamic conversation about the roles of creativity in the future of work, what Gen Z values in their career development and how we can continue to make an impact for the next generations.

Featuring Ryan Treece as the guest co-host, tune in as we explore how Gen Z is revolutionizing manufacturing. From embracing emerging technologies to advocating for sustainability and diversity within the sector. Whether you're a seasoned industry professional or simply curious about the future of manufacturing, this episode promises to offer thought-provoking insights and inspiration.

In This Episode:

-Jacob shares his passion for the nonprofit program, FIRST Robotics and how he has seen this robotics competition impact kids of all ages at a deep level (~timestamp 9:44)

-Jacob shares his insights on recruiting more members of the Gen Z workforce into the manufacturing industry by expressing what motivates them (~timestamp 18:57)

-Jacob shares the one word that describes the Gen Z workforce and how being upfront with people and embracing empathy can help bridge the gap between the workforce generations (~timestamp 39:47)

More About Jacob Sanchez:

Jacob's passion for changing people's lives, no matter their age or experience, is why he stays connected with his industry and stays engaged with his community. Jacob began his career as an Application Engineer and has successfully grown his own brand to include hosting educational content for MSC, being featured at industry events and working exclusively as a digital creator. Jacob continues to bring his talent and passion for this industry to his clients by developing individualized winning social media strategies that improve company brands and speak to multiple generations. To learn more, connect with Jacob here.

About Workforce 4.0:

Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:

How many times over the last few years have we heard the words, "supply chain" and what types of jobs can we expect to be trending amongst the future of the supply chain landscape? Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Tom Brouillette from OTIS Supply Chain Consulting as they answer this question and tackle some of the other topics related to this rapidly growing industry.

In This Episode:

-After spending decades in the Supply Chain Industry, Tom shares his thoughts on where the supply chain is heading over the next 10 years in beyond (~timestamp 8:06)

-Tom speaks in depth about the importance of product and packaging sustainability and how we're embarking on the age of the circular economy (~timestamp 14:55)

-Tom shares some advice for the younger generations of the workforce and how to ensure that you continue to grow personally and professionally (~timestamp 32:27)

More About Tom Brouillette:

Tom leads professional services and solutions for digital transformation focused on supply chain intelligence through advanced visibility analytics. With over 15 years of experience in supply chain management, logistics, and technology, he has the expertise and vision to help clients achieve their unique business objectives and priorities by developing and implementing resilient and agile strategic roadmaps that deliver value, efficiency, and innovation based on regular evaluation of market and industry disruptions and changing priorities. To learn more, connect with Tom here.

More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:

When Ryan Treece began pursing his educational path at Western Michigan University, he had a very limited scope of what career opportunities actually existed in the world of manufacturing outside of engineering roles. Flash forward a decade later and Ryan has certainly earned his role as a Business Development Manager of his company, Telit.

Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down for a deep dive on Ryan's own career journey through manufacturing on this exciting season 3 opener of Workforce 4.0. Learn more about this self identified "Nerdy IOT Guy's" own personal relationship with how he incorporates data into his health, how he found his calling and how he continues to inspire others. Also hear more about what it means to him to be featured as a top Industry 4.0 Influencer.

In This Episode:

-Ryan shares how he was recruited out of school for his first manufacturing job and how the allure of selling lasers caught his attention straight away (~time stamp 12:28)

-Ryan talks in depth about his personal health journey and how technology has helped him be successful in his career, how he shares that as an Industry 4.0 Influencer and how manufacturers can also think of technology aiding their human workforce in innovative ways (~timestamp 19:28)

-We talk briefly about how small and medium sized manufacturers can incorporate their legacy machinery and assets into new and emerging technology (~timestamp 19:28)

More About Ryan Treece:

Ryan Treece brings 14 years of experience in Industrial Automation & Manufacturing to his role as the Chair of the Cloud & Edge Technical Committee for ISA's Smart Manufacturing & IIoT Division. In addition to his leadership at ISA, he is a Co-Founder of the Industry 4.0 Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the technological future of manufacturing. Serving as the Business Development Manager for Telit Cinterion's IIoT Edge & Cloud Software Platforms division, Ryan is a key figure in the implementation of cutting-edge Industry 4.0 solutions. To learn more about Ryan, connect with him here.

More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:

Launched in 2016, KTECH has awarded more than 300 certifications. In 16 weeks KTECH students earn 4 industry recognized certifications to meet the increasing demands of our manufacturing rich community. KTECH is meeting a need in the non-profit sector that no other organization is serving, connecting people to careers. Taking Kids to Love from grassroots to a global outreach has landed Lee on the list of the 500 Most Influential CEO’s in the World. Lee has been named an “Angel in Adoption” by Congress and honored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for her adoption awareness efforts. Kids to Love was named the Women-Owned Business of the year with the Huntsville – Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Lee has also been honored by the Alabama Broadcaster’s Association for her journalistic contributions and was named one of 2017 Women Who Shape The State. 2019 Entrepreneur of the year in Huntsville, 2019 Non Profit Executive of the Year and 2020 Woman of Impact Honoree.

In This Episode:

-Lee drops her pro tip for those interested in starting their own non profit training program in their local area and credits the power of networking to KTECH's continued success (~time stamp 11:58)

-Lee talks about being comfortable being a disruptor in the training space and how KTECH's success story is one for the underdogs (~timestamp 13:02)

-In addition to providing advanced technical skills to underserved children, Lee also shares how they incorporate their training initiatives with soft skills development as part of their Life Lab (~time stamp 13:02)

More About Lee Marshall:

Lee Marshall’s purpose and passion is to advocate for youth living in foster care. Lee was born into foster care and adopted at the age of 2, so she knows firsthand the difference adoption can make. Through her Kids to Love Foundation, which meets the needs of foster children, Lee is changing the trajectory of young lives. Connect with Lee to learn more here.

More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:

When I first met Mike Yost through the Industry 4.0 Club, I remember being so inspired by his passion for people his commitment to making sure that they're the focus of all digital transformation. After learning more about his work through his own nonprofit, IGBYS and his work regionally, nationally and globally, I can personally testify that Mike Yost is the manufacturing man! Mike's tenure with manufacturing nonprofits exceeds those ventures. He has also been involved with organizations such as MESA and continues to support the work carried out through CESMII. Through all of his endeavors, his main mission continues to be connecting industry experts, solution providers and just people of the manufacturing community and developing connections far deeper than any internet stream.

In This Episode:

-It's been said many times that your "network is your net worth," and Mike Yost is no exception to this rule. Learn more about how Mike has built and leverage his own network to not only develop his leadership skills, but also to advance the manufacturing industry as a whole. (~timestamp 10:39)

-Mike shares why his continued support in the Industry 4.0 Club is crucial to the education and knowledge sharing of the manufacturing industry. Mike goes on to provide key advice in the importance of educating each other and practicing active listening of our network providers. (~timestamp 15:30)

-Mike shares his hot take on digital transformation and why the moment for implementing technology with people at the center of this process in more of our manufacturing facilities is critical to the continued success of our industry (~timestamp 16:34)

More About Mike Yost:

Mike Yost is a trusted IT/OT leader, messenger, advisor with 30+ years of industrial, commercial and leadership experience in Industrial Automation/Software. In short, he grew up with software on the plant floor and help scale its impact throughout the business. Mike is passionate spokesman and speaker, skilled at message creation, adaptation and delivery. Mike is also dedicated to helping manufacturers compete, leveraging modern software solutions to drive performance. Connect and learn more about Mike here.

More About Industry 4.0 Club:

Industry 4.0 Club is a dynamic, growth-oriented community that brings together professionals from diverse backgrounds to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation within the realm of Industry 4.0.

Our members include practitioners, technology providers, consultants, and thought leaders united by their passion for the advancement of smart manufacturing solutions. By hosting engaging events, insightful discussions, and providing a platform for networking, we empower our members to forge connections, learn from one another, and shape the future of sustainable and efficient manufacturing practices. Learn more about the work Industry 4.0 Club is facilitating here.

Episode Notes:

It's hard to imagine someone more passionate about technology and workforce development in the manufacturing community than the one and only Will Healy! Will has made his own identity as "Will I Automate" on numerous social platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn and Tik Tok. His dedication to the industry through serving on panels about technology, product marketing and workforce development have also lead to most of us thinking of him as our big bro. Always eager to help and always informative and educational, Will joins our host, Ann Wyatt for in depth look at how investing in technology is driving value as an investment in our manufacturing workforce, too.

In This Episode:

-Will gives us his industry insights into what he feels like are the biggest technology disrupters for the manufacturing industry and how they are aiding in bridging the workforce talent gap (~timestamp 7:02)

-Will shares his thoughts on how manufacturing companies will need to be more versatile and agile in their training techniques (~timestamp 14:31)

-Will shares his passion for evangelizing the manufacturing industry and shares tips on how manufacturing industry partners such as NAM, AMEP and other local area organizations are critical to driving success in creating a future talent pipeline (~timestamp 18:52)

More About Will Healy:

Will is passionate about people-centric technology, helping others find value in automation, building our talent pipeline and working to improve manufacturing productivity. When we work together, Will brings innovative automation concepts, proven solutions and fresh workforce insights that can dramatically change how you work, raising your competitive position. Will does this from the US in the Cincinnati/NKY metro but loves to travel and see how stuff is made around the world. To learn more about Will, connect with him here.

More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:

This week on Workforce 4.0, we are extremely honored to be hosting Mike Nager, with the Solution Center of Festo Didactic. Mike is not only a 3x published author but a 4x Top IIOT and Industry 4.0 Influencer and has some solid experience in leading the way when it comes to Digital Transformation and smart manufacturing. A champion of workforce development, Mike has long been advocating for diversity in the manufacturing workforce and finding solutions to overcome the impending skills gap.

In This Episode:

-Mike shares his own experiences working within a multigenerational workforce but gently reminds us all that the key to success is overcoming road blocks by finding new and innovative paths with emerging technology (~timestamp 15:36)

-Mike describes the realistic outcome of Industry 4.0 and how we, as consumers, are already experiencing Industry 4.0 manufacturing within our own communities (~timestamp 20:54)

-Mike shares his passion for sharing the exciting opportunities offered through manufacturing careers with younger generations by discussing his why behind authoring his children's book, "All About Smart Manufacturing" (~timestamp 22:30)

More About Mike Nager:

For years Mike worked in Sales and Marketing for some of the most innovative industry controls companies in the world. He has helped manufacturers to optimize their operations, heading towards Industry 4.0 before we had the term for it. He currently enables hundreds of US manufacturers to become more efficient and profitable to successfully compete worldwide against best-of-class competitors. Connect with Mike here, to learn more!

More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:

If "The Fearless Frontline" is not gracing your bookshelf as a valuable blueprint for frontline workforce design, this episode is sure to be a treat! Ann Wyatt sits down with the nationally acclaimed and top ranked business book, Ray Attiyah to learn more about the origin story for the book's inception and how the #fearlessfactory in Cincinnati, OH brought "The Fearless Frontline" to life.

In This Episode:

-Ray begins our conversation unpacking what he defines as a "fearless culture" and a "fearless" frontline and shares deep insights into how to nurture that culture within your own organization (~timestamp 5:08)

-Ray shares his top tool for jobseekers that are interested in assessing future employment opportunities by critically analyzing design thinking as an HR function (~timestamp 12:45)

-Ray shares his absolute trademark for assessing an industry top performer for hiring managers with in the manufacturing industry (~timestamp 30:31)

More About Ray Attiyah:

Inspired by his desire to train and seek break through improvements Ray founded Definity Partners (formerly Midwest Manufacturing Solutions/MMS) in 1996 and is currently the Chief Innovation Officer. Ray is also an accomplished author having written several articles for various industry journals and having launched his first book in March of 2013 entitled The Fearless Front Line: The Key to Liberating Leaders to Improve and Grow Their Business. To learn more about Ray, connect with him here.

More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Episode Notes:

This week on Workforce 4.0, Ann Wyatt sits down with the VP of Marketing of Dexterity, Michael Perry. Join us for this conversation on breaking down how Michael's experience in the robotics industry has brought new perspectives on what happens when a little bit of technology is mixed with a little bit of creativity from our human workforce in manufacturing.

In This Episode:

-Michael gives his hot take on how automation is supplementing automation and freeing your human workforce for "more meaningful work" (~timestamp 11:16)

-Michael gives us his powerful feedback on how companies interested in increasing automation within their facilities can successfully do so with their human workforce alongside cutting edge technology (~timestamp 20:30)

-Michael gets candid on how the robotics industry is constantly evolving their design efforts in order to better accomodate the humans working alongside them, operating them and repairing them (~timestamp 27:43)

More About Michael Perry:

Michael works with companies, creators, and innovators across the world to deploy cutting-edge mobile robots. He is currently the VP of Marketing for Dexterity Robots and is a long time robotics enthusiast. To connect with Michael click here.

More About Dexterity:

Dexterity helps people thrive and grow by freeing them to do work that humans do best. For warehouse robotics, we focus on AI, machine learning, and platform-based robotic intelligence to make warehouses more productive, efficient, and safe. Learn more about Dexterity here.

More About Workforce 4.0: Workforce 4.0 is an industry centric podcast featuring Manufacturing Executives from all industries coming together to emphasize how companies are partnering with technology to give people more meaningful work. As a passion project created by Ann Wyatt, Workforce 4.0 highlights crucial topics such as the increasing talent gap, success stories of real people engaged with the latest manufacturing technology and how the manufacturing workforce can transition into these exciting new roles. Connect with your host, Ann Wyatt | Watch video recordings on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts