100 Things I Wish I Knew A Long Time Ago

100 Things I Wish I Knew A Long Time Ago

Here are the things that I wish I knew when I was younger. These aren't in any particular order. Hopefully, they bring you some value or fire up a discussion in your shop. Want to add to the list? Leave a comment below! The right…
Don't Trust Your Process

Don't Trust Your Process

Let's talk about processes. First of all, do you have them? I mean, REALLY have them? I don't want to sound like I don't believe you, but I have to come clean here...I keep bumping into shops that SAY they have processes. But after a…
The Critical Need for Proactive Action

The Critical Need for Proactive Action

How proactive do you think your management team works each day in your business? To me, leadership is all about working to elevate the outcome. Having a "proactive management style" helps diffuse the bombs before they go off. This requires…
Setting, Understanding, and Exceeding Your Limits

Setting, Understanding, and Exceeding Your Limits

Do you know your limits? You know, the outside edge of what is possible. People push their limits all the time. Weightlifters want to know the heaviest they can lift. Teenagers want to challenge their parent's authority. Fighter airplane…
Man stuck leaning in a doorway.

Are You Stuck?

Are you stuck? It is natural to feel that you aren't making any progress as a shop owner. A common theme with entrepreneurs everywhere is exhaustion, as you are giving every ounce of energy you have trying to keep the train on the tracks.…
The Magic of CBE: Career Best Effort

The Magic of CBE: Career Best Effort

Today I want to share an idea that I just bumped into...Career Best Effort or CBE for short. Lately, I've been working with methods of gathering, using, and visualizing production data to help shops make better decisions. That's the fun…