We sit down with Ann Franz, Executive Director of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance (NEWMA), to discuss innovative strategies for addressing the manufacturing skills gap. Ann shares how NEWMA has successfully built powerful partnerships between manufacturers and educational institutions to create a sustainable talent pipeline.

Discover practical insights on:

-How to develop effective industry-education collaborations that actually work.
-Strategies for attracting young talent to manufacturing careers
-Building apprenticeship and training programs that meet real industry needs
-The future of manufacturing workforce development in a digital economy
-Creating regional solutions to manufacturing talent shortages

Whether you're a manufacturing leader struggling with workforce challenges, an IT professional supporting the industry, or an educator preparing students for future careers, this conversation provides actionable takeaways to help bridge the skills gap and strengthen American manufacturing.

Is your company stuck "looking at its feet" instead of strategically planning for growth? In this episode of IT Unplugged, Brandon sits down with Josh from Tanduo to discuss how businesses can transform from reactive IT operations to opportunity-ready organizations. Josh shares insights from his experience helping mid-sized companies scale 2-5x through strategic IT leadership. Learn the critical differences between stabilization, transformation, and scaling, plus practical tips for breaking free from operational quicksand. Whether you're a C-suite executive or an IT professional who wants to drive change, this conversation offers a roadmap for building what Josh calls "repeatable delivery machines" that enable sustainable growth.

In this episode of IT Unplugged, we sit down with Scott Janssen from James Imaging Systems to explore the evolution of printing in today's digital world. Far from being obsolete, printing has transformed into a comprehensive business solution that goes beyond simply putting marks on paper. Scott shares the compelling origin story of James Imaging, founded on family values and genuine client care, and explains how their dual approach of PrintSmart and WorkSmart helps organizations streamline workflows while optimizing document management. Discover how James Imaging analyzes manufacturing processes to eliminate inefficiencies, implement innovative solutions like image tracking for warranty claims, and build lasting relationships with clients based on trust and understanding. Whether you're managing a print environment or looking to optimize business operations, this episode reveals how modern printing technology serves as a critical component of efficient workflow design.