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© my TRUE POSITION 2023
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Manufacturing Professionals will receive immediate and actionable insight into high-level issues of running a small to mid-sized manufacturing company. All communicated in an easy-to-digest 20 minutes by your expert podcaster and second-generation business owner, Jim Carr.
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Let's be real — the fastest way to torch your profit isn't a bad part or a missed deadline. It's when your labor starts running you instead of the other way around. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I'm breaking down the difference between direct and indirect labor — and why blurring that line could be quietly bleeding your margin dry. I'll walk through how to track it, what numbers to watch, and how a simple shift in visibility turned things around in my own shop. If you want to stop guessing where your money's going and start managing labor like a pro, this one's for you.
Most machine shops think marketing is fluff — that the work should speak for itself. But here's the truth: in 2025, if you're not telling your story, you don't exist. At CARR Machine & Tool, we built a marketing engine inside a machine shop — and it changed everything. From our website and brand standards to storytelling, SEO, and social, every piece of the marketing pie matters. It's not decoration — it's discipline. In this episode, I'm breaking down why every manufacturer needs to start thinking like a media company, how much of your revenue should fuel marketing, and what happens when you make the whole system work together.
It's been five years since COVID flipped manufacturing on its head. Back then, it was all about survival — keeping the doors open and the machines running. Today, labor's tight, rates are high, and margins are thin. But the shops that made it? They're smarter, leaner, and tougher than ever. In this episode, I'm breaking down how far we've come — from shutdowns and supply chain chaos to a new era of discipline, data, and leadership.
In 2018, we implemented TRACTION for the first time — and like most small teams, we were figuring it out as we went. Fast forward to today, and CARR Machine has evolved into a focused, disciplined organization led by four seasoned managers driving finance, technology, operations, and quality. This episode dives into what happens when experience meets structure — how re-committing to TRACTION brought clarity, accountability, and renewed energy to our culture.
LinkedIn was built for professionals — a place to connect, learn, and grow careers. But somewhere along the way, it turned into a stage for personal branding and performance. In this episode, I dig into how the world's largest job network lost its focus — and how real professionals can bring substance and authenticity back to the feed.
The first two weeks on the job set the tone for everything that follows. At CARR, we've built a structured onboarding playbook — with 5-day, 30-day, 90-day, and 6-month check-ins leading into annual performance and compensation reviews. It's not paperwork, it's leadership in action. In this episode, I dig into why onboarding is a make-or-break moment, how we keep new hires engaged from day one to year one, and what shop owners can learn to build loyalty that lasts.
The family-owned machine shop — once the backbone of American manufacturing — is disappearing. Private equity is rolling up independents, succession is drying up, and the cost of staying competitive is through the roof. In this episode, I dig into how small, family-run shops evolved over the decades, the metrics driving consolidation, and why investors are buying us up. Is this truly the end of the family-owned shop… or just the next evolution?
Degrees don't impress me. GPAs don't build careers. The real signals that matter? Showing up, asking questions, taking pride in your work. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I lay out exactly how I spot future talent in machining—and what separates rockstars from dead weight. This is the hiring playbook nobody else will give you.
College debt is crushing a generation—but there's another way. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I break down the real pathways into precision manufacturing—apprenticeships, certifications, and careers that pay while you learn. No tuition trap, no student loans—just a straight shot to six-figure potential.
Forget the grimy stereotype—this is aerospace-grade, software-driven manufacturing. In Part 1 of The New Shop Class, I pull back the curtain on clean, automated shops, real career mobility, and a culture built on precision and pride. If you're a parent, student, or counselor, this is your reality check—and your invite to see modern machining up close. Where precision meets leadership.
Ever get that email saying, 'We want to offer you a book deal'? Yeah…bullshit. These aren't publishers—they're predators. They target business owners, shop leaders, and podcasters like you and me, flashing fake promises of instant authority while draining your wallet. In this episode, I rip the lid off the vanity press scam: how they work, how to spot the red flags, and what separates a real publisher from a snake-oil salesman in a suit. If you've ever been tempted to sign one of these "deals," you'll want to hear this first.
In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr by his CFO and business coach Dave Capkovitz, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to evolve a second-generation machine shop. They share the raw, behind-the-scenes truth of CARR Machine & Tool's transition from a traditional mom-and-pop operation into a high-value, high-production aerospace supplier. From cutting unprofitable work and firing the wrong customers to building a culture that drives accountability, this episode is a blueprint for growth that's built on data, discipline, and hard conversations. If you're a shop owner, next-gen leader, or business coach looking for real insight into increasing profitability, valuation, and leadership strength—this one's for you.
In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr uncovers the real story behind artifact parts in Gage R&R studies. Too many shops are cutting corners when it comes to validating their measurement systems, and it's putting quality—and customer trust—at risk. Jim breaks down what artifact parts are, why they matter for AS9100-certified shops, and how to manufacture, manage, and apply them correctly. If you're serious about tightening up your process and making your measurement data truly reliable, this is an episode you don't want to miss.
Is that employee "taking time off"… or walking out quietly? In this episode, Jim Carr dissects the real motives behind employee leave. From legal obligations to return-to-work odds, he lays out the business math behind whether to hold the door open—or close it for good.
PE firms are circling job shops like vultures — waving fat checks and buzzwords like "scale" and "efficiency." But what happens after the champagne dries up? In this episode, Jim Carr calls BS on the fairy tale. From hidden costs and control loss to culture-killing org charts, he breaks down what selling really means for you, your team, and your legacy.
What happens when AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses stroll onto your ITAR-regulated shop floor? In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, I unpack how one slick-looking gadget could blow a hole in your compliance, expose your customer's IP, and turn your machine shop into a liability overnight. From real-world risks to hardline strategies, I'm calling this tech what it is: a threat to every shop that makes serious parts. Smart specs. Dumb risk. Listen up.
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.
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