Find Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgmayer/

With over two decades of experience, Jim has worked across the manufacturing landscape, from the shop floor to the boardroom, helping companies bridge the gap between technology, people, and culture. He produces and hosts The Manufacturing Culture Podcast and Work, But Make It Human, two shows that explore leadership, workforce development, and the human side of manufacturing. He also leads The Manufacturing Connector, a YouTube series focused on connecting manufacturers with innovative solutions and real-world insights.

Whether he's leading workshops, creating content, or sparking conversations at industry events, Jim’s mission is clear: to connect people to ideas, opportunities, and each other—because the future of manufacturing is human.

My Appearance On Manufacturing Culture Podcast:https://youtu.be/Ox0_U-RVdaE?si=Eo3sT9whan02_aLB

Produced by Arthur FieldEdited by Arthur FieldRecorded by Arthur FieldWant to partner with Arthur?https://tidycal.com/meetarthur

Chapters:00:00:00 – Episode Intro & Jim Mayer’s BackgroundWelcome message, Jim’s credentials, and his work with Manufacturing Connector.

00:02:00 – Why Industry 4.0 Failed Manufacturing“We eliminated the human element…” Discusses automation’s shortcomings and cultural mismatches.

00:07:15 – The 3-Prong Fix for Tech Adoption“Involve frontline teams… reframe the narrative… align tools with culture”

00:14:07 – Jim’s Mission: Fixing Toxic Shop Culture"I love the people of this industry…” Stats on disengagement and the “toxic canoe” analogy.

00:22:00 – Industry 5.0: Leadership’s New Role“Industry 5.0 is about evolving leadership…”

00:25:00 – Closing Thoughts & Call-to-ActionFinal takeaways and where to find Jim.