Employee Engagement + Productivity for Operations Managers: Improving the Human Interface to Strengthen Team Communication and Results with Terry Iverson #18

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

Terry is a third generation President and CEO of a family built CNC distribution business and founder of Champion Now, an organization dedicated to changing people's perception of manufacturing for the better.

In this episode, Terry joins the podcast to share insights on manufacturing leadership, growth mindset, and authentic leadership for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.

We talk communication skills, trust building, and accountability, plus how passion, people-first leadership, and long term thinking help reshape manufacturing culture, improve engagement, and attract the next generation to the shop floor.

1. 2:56 The human interface. Terry discusses the human element and how this has always been a constant. The human interface in buying and selling components is still consistent today, 40 years later since Terry has started.
2. 5:40 Automation and computerization. Terry talks about where he sees Manufacturing going and how manufacturing companies were not very good at marketing their companies, good at marketing their products not their companies. They have not marketed the jobs or careers within their company very well.
3. 8:05 Everything starts with integrity. Terry talks about never deciding based on a financial gain or loss it has always been on integrity and honesty and running a company on these virtues. What has happened over the years there has not been as strong of a mentoring program for the younger people.
4. 10:20 look for somebody who is a good person. Terry talks about looking for people who are good to the core and want a relationship. People want a job but they truly want to have a relationship at their work. There is way too much jumping around. Terry discusses Manufacturing day and the importance of promoting this to show videos and films and invite people into the facilities. This helps to show what todays manufacturing offers.
5. 13:25 Show up early, stay late and tell the truth. Terry talks about the 3 things that he promotes and finds important to help the younger people in a career. The importance of taking the time to live by these helps create a career rather than a job. Terry talks about how he has lived these 3 virtues within his own business.
6. 17:31 Champion now. Terry talks about Champion now, 'Change How American Manufacturing's Perceived In Our Nation". In 2012 founded he founded the organization with the sole purpose of changing perceptions of manufacturing for the better. Helping the younger generation understand the great careers offered in manufacturing today.
7. 22:23 There's an opportunity. Terry talks about woman in manufacturing and how we need to be advocates of this. He talks about being fortunate of meeting and working with woman in manufacturing even within his own business. Being more aware and being more open to this can make the difference.
8. 25:56 Relationships make the world go around. Terry talks about the importance of relationships and the role this plays in manufacturing and within his own business.
9. 27:20 First concert. Terry's first concert, Bad Company. And if stuck on an island one artist to take with you? Dan Fogelberg would be my choice.

https://championnow.org/product/podcast/ Copy and paste the link to access information on Terry's book. You can follow and reach Terry at the following social media platforms Twitter feeds

@Championnow

@terrymiverson

@iversonandco

Facebook pages

Iverson & Company

C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N. NOW