In this insightful episode, Lisa Ryan welcomes Dr. Joshua Tarbutton—Chairman and Chief Innovator at Bravo Team, an engineering firm specializing in custom automation solutions for manufacturers facing tough challenges. The conversation tracks Joshua Tarbutton's journey from childhood curiosity with Light Brights and exposure to structural engineering via his father, through military service, academia, and ultimately into entrepreneurship and innovation in manufacturing.

The episode tackles the urgent push for automation in manufacturing, driven by rising costs, supply chain instability, and workforce challenges. Joshua Tarbutton reflects on how fear and control can impede leadership decisions, and points out the importance of moving beyond blame and understanding the deeper social and economic forces at play.

A major theme is reskilling the workforce in response to automation. Joshua Tarbutton highlights the pressures at the lower end of the labor pool—jobs that are tough to automate and have high turnover—and notes the necessity of upskilling those in roles most likely to be displaced by technology. He emphasizes a need for earlier cultivation of manufacturing interest and skills in young people, advocating for more proactive outreach beyond "manufacturing month."

For companies lacking robust R&D departments, Joshua Tarbutton suggests an experiment-focused, risk-decreasing approach—start small, test hypotheses, and find the right experts to guide implementation. He cautions leaders to seek out genuinely knowledgeable advisors rather than relying solely on titles.

AI and large language models are discussed as powerful tools for manufacturers at every scale. Joshua Tarbutton sees AI as both a knowledge accelerator and a supportive "smart friend," especially for leadership looking to execute better and maintain margins.

Both speakers explore workplace culture, emphasizing that even in an automated world, people and teams remain the heart of innovation. Creating environments where it's safe to fail and learn, and supporting open, honest communication across teams and departments, are crucial for successful transformation.

Joshua Tarbutton closes by outlining Bravo Team's approach: solving tough, high-value problems for clients through clever engineering and collaboration, supporting innovation from machine design to full product development.

1. Automate Strategically:
2. Don't rush into automation out of fear—carefully assess timing, ROI, and reskill your workforce to maximize benefit and minimize disruption.
3. Invest in People Early:
4. Start cultivating interest and skill in manufacturing at a young age. Partner with schools and programs for real hands-on exposure beyond industry holidays.
5. De-Risk Innovation:
6. Before committing big budgets, run small, targeted experiments to prove out new ideas. This minimizes financial and technical risk in automation and R&D projects.
7. Find the Right Experts:
8. The right solutions depend on the right people, not just credentials. Seek out advisors and partners who prioritize transparency and a proven track record.
9. Leverage AI for...

Manufacturing’s next big leap won’t come from machines, it’ll come from mindset. In this episode of The Manufacturers Network, Lisa Ryan talks with Vince Sassano, President of Strategic Performance Company and creator of Proto Track, about how manufacturers can build trust in data, connect generations, and drive meaningful change on the shop floor.

With more than 30 years at the intersection of technology and operations, Vince explains how AI, automation, and analytics only work when people do. He shares what happens when leaders stop treating digital transformation like a software install and start treating it like a human one.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the real barrier to AI adoption isn’t tech—it’s fear of losing control.
• How generational mindsets shape how fast teams adapt to change.
• What it takes to move from a 10% gain in productivity to 30%—and why that leap starts with culture.
• The difference between data and trusted data, and why both matter.
• How to connect culture to hard metrics like throughput, retention, and profit.
• Why turnover is now a more critical KPI than margin.

Action Steps for Manufacturers:

1. Lead with people. Culture drives capability; tech follows.
2. Clarify KPIs. Make sure everyone—from operators to execs—knows what success looks like.
3. Build trust in data. Transparency beats dashboards.
4. Invest in cross-training. Multi-skilled teams adapt faster than machines.
5. Reframe “productivity.” Faster isn’t better unless it’s smarter.

Listen now to learn why the future of manufacturing belongs to leaders who combine data discipline with human courage.

In this episode, Lisa Ryan sits down with Moustafa Moursy, founder of Push Analytics and a top-tier HubSpot agency partner, to break down what’s really holding manufacturers back from operational excellence, and how to fix it. Drawing on his hands-on manufacturing background and expertise in sales and project management, Moustafa Moursy reveals the most common process traps, why data-driven operations matter, and how aligning tools with culture can give your business a serious edge.

Key Topics Covered:

- Why manufacturing companies must treat their business processes like their product lines—with clear inputs, outputs, and controls

- The real culprit behind ineffective sales processes (hint: it’s not just paperwork or CRM overload!)

- How to strike the perfect balance between over-complicating and under-complicating systems, especially for sales teams

- The importance of stakeholder involvement when designing or revamping business processes

- Ways successful manufacturers build robust supply and value chain relationships

- The most overlooked opportunities for digital transformation in manufacturing

- How manufacturers routinely leave money on the table—and simple strategies to capture it

- Why culture, not just technology, is crucial for real transformation

Actionable Takeaways:

1. Map Your Processes First: Don’t jump straight to adopting new tools; start by zooming out and mapping your current workflows, obstacles, and business goals.

2. Engage Key Stakeholders: Involve the people actually using the system, especially sales reps, in the design and refinement of your processes to drive buy-in and better results.

3. Find Your CRM Sweet Spot: Focus on the CRM features that directly support your goals—instead of chasing 100% utilization, identify the tools your team really needs.

4. Follow Up Relentlessly: Make quoting and order follow-up a non-negotiable habit; most revenue leaks happen because opportunities fall between the cracks.

5. Build Process-Centric Culture: Remember, the best technology won’t help unless your team is trained, supported, and committed to continuous process improvement.

6. Connect Sales and Production: Create seamless handoffs between sales and post-sales/project management to prevent friction and ensure great customer experiences.

Resources & Contact:

To learn more or connect with Moustafa Moursy

Resources & Contact:

To learn more or connect with Moustafa Moursy and the Push Analytics team, email hello@pushanalytics.com and mention The Manufacturers Network Podcast.

Tune in and discover how process alignment and smart technology adoption can drive your manufacturing business forward—one actionable step at a time!and the Push Analytics team, email hello@pushanalytics.com and mention The Manufacturers Network Podcast.