We came, we saw, we conquered chaos.

Josh Santo, hosts the final episode of Conquering Chaos.

It has been a long, meaningful journey for the show and we take a look back at the top and favorite episodes from the show's run and recap what made this show so special for industry experts and what we all learned from it from each and every episode.

Thank you for listening!

We’re living in a time of innovation. With Industry 4.0 and Digital Transformation on the horizon, new, emerging technologies are taking the industry by storm. Close to the top of that list is Extended Reality. But how much of it is hype and how much is (actual) reality?

In this episode of Conquering Chaos, we delve into the ways in which these technologies are improving the lives of frontline workers and the efficiencies of manufacturers.

We’re joined by fellow podcast host and technology fellow for a global manufacturing company, Scott Burkey. We speak with Scott about how these technologies are being used to improve worker training and implementation. From training simulations to remote troubleshooting, virtual and augmented realities are transforming the experience of frontline workers. We also discuss the potential for these technologies to revolutionize the entire manufacturing process, from design to production to maintenance and more.

Join as we discuss:

• The reality of XR including AR VR, and MR
• The immediate impact on the lives of frontline workers
• How to tap into tribal knowledge with tenured workers to train the next generation
• How extended realities are connecting workers

Check out Scott’s podcast, XR at Work!

Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.

Manufacturers in North America and Western Europe are facing significant challenges in attracting and retaining talent in 2023. For large manufacturers, it’s particularly difficult.

As predictive data rolls in, the potential for a growing gap in talent in manufacturing is becoming more pronounced as a majority of manufacturers are faced with difficulties staffing their frontlines— talent needed to keep lines running smoothly and get customers what they need.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dan Johnston, Co-Founder and CEO at WorkStep to discuss these workforce challenges, examine what the data says about turnover, and explore what you can do to attract and retain your workforce as talent density continues to drop.

Join us as we discuss:

• Using a company’s scale and strategy to improve business perception
• Top reasons for turnover and how you can reduce their impact
• Actionable tips for improving workplace satisfaction

As a fan of the show, please fill out this survey to help us improve it! Conquering Chaos is hosted by Josh Santo, be sure to connect with him on LinkedIn! Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.

In the final part of this 3-part series, we’re joined by fan-favorite Jaime Urquidi, Global Head of Customer Solutions at Parsable, for a deep dive into the world of frontline worker technologies and the connected worker, as well as an exploration of the challenges that come with connecting workers with new technology.

Jaime and Josh examine the most common categories of solutions available for solving a slew of problems experienced on and by the frontline. The two discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each option and explore the journey manufacturers can expect to go on when connecting their workers (no matter how they choose to do so).

Join as we discuss:

• A recap of episode 2 with a review of the most commonly used siloed solutions
• The most popular types of frontline worker technologies for overcoming inefficiency
• What you will experience in your pursuit of connecting your frontline workers

As a fan of the show, please fill out this survey to help us improve it!

Conquering Chaos is hosted by Josh Santo, be sure to connect with him on LinkedIn!

Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.

What if the tools you relied on every single day to get the job done were the reason you are experiencing inefficiency? How are you supposed to continuously improve when your options for implementing and sustaining change are limited?

In part two of our three-part series on the connected worker and workforce in manufacturing, we’re joined again by fan-favorite Jaime Urquidi, Global Head of Customer Solutions at Parsable

In this part, Jaime and Josh discuss the challenges of siloed solutions in the manufacturing industry. Jaime sheds light on the detrimental effects of relying on common siloed solutions, including the impact it can have on worker reliability and how it causes manufacturers to miss out on opportunities to improve. ! We also dive deeper into digital isolation,how it has affected manufacturing production, and why workers have been left behind in this process.
Join as the two discuss:

• A recap of the top takeaways of part 1
• How siloed solutions and lack of technology lead to digital isolation on the frontlines
• Digital isolation’s impact on manufacturing production and how workers got left behind

Catch the full article from the BBC on digital isolation here!

As a fan of the show, please fill out this survey to help us improve it!

Conquering Chaos is hosted by Josh Santo, be sure to connect with him on LinkedIn!

Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.

Join us on Conquering Chaos as we kick off a three-part series on the connected worker and workforce in manufacturing with our industry expert (back by popular demand) Jaime Urquidi, Global Head of Customer Solutions at Parsable.

In part 1, Jaime and Josh examine the most common inefficiencies that they’ve encountered while working with manufacturers to digitize frontline operations. These inefficiencies are inherent within frontline workflows and processes and if left unchecked, they can significantly impact operational results.

Join as the two discuss the

• 4 most common inefficiencies and what to do about them
• Cost of doing nothing
• Role of today’s frontline worker in solving inefficiencies

As a fan of the show, please fill out this survey to help us improve it!

Conquering Chaos is hosted by Josh Santo, be sure to connect with him on LinkedIn!

Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.

Creating lasting change in manufacturing can be a daunting task. With the right strategies, it's possible. But — you have to prioritize it.
In this episode, we explore how to drive impactful change in factories and make that change stick

This week, Jaime Urquidi, Global Head of Customer Solutions at Parsable, discusses his experience in conquering chaos within the manufacturing industry. Jaime has had an impressive career, with highlights including leading multi-site teams that have made a significant impact in the manufacturing space. Jaime also shares how enacting change to your teams can be a challenge but a rewarding one for everyone with the right strategies.

Join as we discuss:

• Jaime’s own highlights (and lowlights) as a factory director
• Lessons learned from all of those experiences
• Making & sustaining change
• Short-term sacrifices for long term gain & ROI

As a fan of the show, please fill out this survey to help us improve it! Conquering Chaos is hosted by Josh Santo, be sure to connect with him on LinkedIn!

Digital Twin — hyped-up dud of an idea or critical component to the future of manufacturing (and the world)?

In this episode we’re examining fact and fiction when it comes to Digital Twin technology.

Our guest is Michael Pytel, Founder and CTO of Fulfilld. He discusses the implementation and reality of Digital Twins in the industry. Michael offers valuable insights on how digital twins have transformed the industry, and can transform logistic in particular, by providing real-time data and insights. He highlights the benefits of using digital twins, including increased efficiency, improved customer experience, and cost savings. He also shares the challenges that come with implementation and how to overcome them.

Join as we discuss:

• Fact and fiction surrounding digital twin technology
• Benefits of using digital twin technology
• Overcoming implementation challenges.
• Key considerations for implementing digital twin technology
• How to start implementing digital twins

If you like what you heard, you can join Fulfilld and Michael at this year’s Promat Conference in March to continue the conversation!

And if you’re a fan of the show, please fill out this survey to help us improve it!

Conquering Chaos is hosted by Josh Santo, be sure to connect with him on LinkedIn!

P.S. Say “to win” fast and it sounds like”twin.” Is that a sign? Digital To Win, Digital Twin!

In our 2022 episodes, we've had the pleasure of speaking with industry leaders and experts who have shared their valuable insights and lessons learned. From implementing new technologies to streamlining operations, we've covered a wide range of topics to help manufacturers stay competitive and thrive in today's market. We take a look at the 7 most popular episodes and the biggest lessons we learned from each of those guests. One of the key takeaways from our episodes is the importance of empowering people. We also learned that having a strong company culture and clear communication can lead to improved productivity and employee satisfaction. Another important lesson is the importance of investing in new technologies such as automation and data analytics to stay ahead of the curve. Now, get ready to conquer chaos in 2023!

One of the most compelling reasons to digitize your operations is the access you get to new data points that were previously uncapturable. New data points bring new visibility. New visibility brings new insight. And new insight brings new innovation.
But what data points are needed? And are these insights reserved for certain roles? Or can data be a powerful in-the-moment companion to everyone within manufacturing operations?

Today’s guest, John Klein, Business System Leader at American Axle and Manufacturing joined to give insight on how new data points combined with powerful visualizations and connected worker technology has enabled people at all levels within their operations to drive innovations.
Join as we discuss the:

• power of frontline activity data
• importance of custom dashboards for data visualization
• The challenges of data collecting through paper
• new way of connected work for frontline manufacturing operations
• Scaling with analytics

Many manufacturers and industrial operations are facing a number of disruptions. There’s workforce disruption, technological disruption, consumer disruption, and supply chain disruption. While there are a number of options for mitigating the impact of each, reshoring stands out as a critical way to minimize supply chain interruptions.

In today’s episode, we are joined by Alberto Villarreal, the Founder and managing Director of Nepanoa, who shares how Mexico’s proximity, young workforce, and skilled labor make it the ideal location for manufacturers looking to reshore or localize aspects of their operations or supply chain. . 

Join as we discuss: 
What makes Mexico an ideal location for mitigating supply chain disruption
Common misconceptions about establishing operations in Mexico
Obstacles you’ll face and ways to overcome them
How technology helps you get up and running faster
Results and ROI based other organizations have achieved

Cloud-based ERP, you’ve probably heard of it but are you implementing it effectively for your teams?

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Kerrie Jordan, Vice President of Product Management for Epicor's Data Platform shared the insights on that survey and how cloud-based ERP systems can be effective in solving a significant amount of pain points manufacturers using on-prem and hybrid ERP solutions experience.

Join as we discuss

• Epicor’s manufacturing insights survey and report
• The power of cloud-based ERP
• Common misconceptions about cloud-based ERPs
• How to mitigate disruption during a migration to the cloud
• Establishing the ROI on migrating to a cloud-based ERP.

You can read the survey results at this link.

ERP. If you got it, you probably don’t love it. But you know you need it.

When it comes to ERP systems, many manufacturers have a love/hate relationship with their solution.. 


But why? At the end of the day, it is absolutely critical for managing what you produce. Is it caused by gaps in the solution? Shortcomings in the implementation? Shortsightedness in the vendor? What is the root cause of the pain?

In today’s episode, Paul Tedford, CEO at Synergy Resources, shared his insight on how manufacturers can get the most out of their ERP system, from selection to implementation and beyond. If you feel some of the love and hate for your own ERP system, this episode is for you. . 

Join us as we discuss:
The evolution of the ERP system  
Addressing and fixing the gaps in most ERP implementations 
The future of ERP systems 



And we ask a special question to Paul based on the classic hit from Naughty By Nature. Take a listen to find out if Paul is down with ERP.

Mitigating risk in manufacturing is a tall task for many companies — especially these days. Everything from supply chain, workforce retention and inflation can hinder a company’s profitability without warning. 
How can a well lead company mitigate these risks without disrupting the flow of production? 
In today’s episode, Dan Burgos, President and CEO of Alphanova Consulting, shared how companies can identify these constraints, embrace them and continuously improve from them. 

Join us as we discuss:
Making continuous manufacturing improvements to mitigate risks
Creating efficiency in common areas to combat inflation 
Reasons why lean implementations fail 
Best practices for efficient product flow 
Leaders creating a positive and engaging workplace 



Check out Dan’s blog on 10 Reasons Lean Transformations Fail  

Is your business stacking-up with world-class performance? Take the self-assessment test now!  

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We’re in a period of time where everyone is struggling to do more with less. That pressure impacts everyone at all levels — CEO, management, and the frontlines.
But what if you had a blueprint for achieving more without expanding resources? 
If you tap into the talent, skills, and creativity of your greatest asset — your people — you could accomplish quite a lot.
There are issues that occur in manufacturing that go unreported because frontline workers don’t feel like they’re being heard by leadership. From quality and safety issues to facility improvements, there’s a sentiment that any feedback will just get lost in a black hole. 
There is difficulty attracting and retaining talent. And that's impacting the ability for manufacturers to meet customer demands.
In today’s episode, Thomas Shorma, Chief Executive Officer at WCCO Belting, joins us to share how his team was able to increase throughput by 20%, retain talent, and create an environment where anyone within an organization can contribute to the growth of the company.
Join us as we discuss:
Getting 20% more for 20%
Encouraging your workforce to share ideas and feedback
Developing internal training programs for different skillsets

Your customers are not just the end consumer, your customers are all around you. They are the employees who help grow the business and the partners you work with to create sustainable products. 
And if you aren’t meeting all of your customer's true needs, you’re in for some rough times.
We speak with John Gossett, US Sales Director at Smurfit Kappa, in this episode to learn more about how he adopted a customer service mindset and the impact it’s had on his ability to enable others to make and sustain change.
Join us as we discuss:
Which customers you may be overlooking
How to identify your customers’ true needs
Enabling your customers to accomplish their goals

In today’s episode, Bob Seaman, Director of Innovation and Product Development at D.G.Yuengling & Son, joins to share his journey from the nuclear biz to the brewing biz, going from craft brewer to master brewer, and the lessons he’s learned along the way from major brewers like MolsonCoors and Yuengling. 
We talk about the thousands of possibilities and things that could go wrong when packaging beer and how he empowers his workforce to take ownership for solving problems.
Join us as we discuss:
Becoming a brewmaster
Managing risk on a production line
Empowering people within the organization

Our host Josh Santo and the rest of the Conquering Chaos team are going on a short break for the summer but we'll be back with more conversations with leaders who are Conquering Chaos. 
While we're gone, visit our new LinkedIn Page for the Conquering Chaos podcast and revisit some of our top episodes. 
See you at the end of summer!
Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.

There is a lot of talk out there in the world about how digital transformation is a people focused transformation, but the application of that seems to get lost. In order for manufacturers to thrive in the factory of the future, we need to place our focus on the user experience and putting people first.
In today’s episode, we speak to Dr. Stefan Kozielski, Associate Director Of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at Boston Consulting Group, about his experience advising manufacturing leaders and what manufacturers need to do to get started on a people focused journey to the factory of the future?
Join us as we discuss:
A Realistic Approach to Digital Transformation 
Leadership & Psychological Safety
Making a Focus On People the Future 


Keep connected with Conquering Chaos at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Conquering Chaos in your favorite podcast player.