I use this phrase all the time. Most of the time, it’s my way of wishing a more ideal scenario into reality with, if I’m being honest, no actual intention of doing something about it. But then there were the conversations I’ve had with my friend Ann Franz, executive director of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance, over the last year or so.
“Wouldn’t it be cool if we could do a podcast together?”
I’m proud to say Ann and I actually launched the once-hypothetical “NEW Manufacturing Insights” in October, and so far the results are indeed quite cool. We set a download record on Dec. 7 when AriensCo CEO Dan Ariens joined us in the studio, and we even have other manufacturing CEOs who have approached us to be on the show — we didn’t even have to ask! Ann and I are grateful for the support we’ve received so far, including from our incredibly talented and supportive producer, B.J. DeGroot. We appreciate everyone who has listened, and it’s certainly not too late to start tuning in if you haven’t already. You can check out all our back episodes any time at insightonbusiness.com/podcasts and give us a follow on Apple, Spotify, Amazon or anywhere you listen to pods.
When I chatted with Ann off-air about this month’s cover story featuring Northeast Wisconsin’s “cool stuff,” she told me this cover topic is exactly why she was so excited to do the podcast in the first place. Ann and I are both constantly learning about new, cool Northeast Wisconsin-made things we didn’t know about before. (I guess that’s a sign our jobs are pretty cool.) And while I am grateful to have six issues per year to shine a light on manufacturing in the pages of IOM, it’s extra special to have this weekly opportunity to tell even more cool stories about cool stuff on “NEW Manufacturing Insights.”
And speaking of cool: This month’s issue, like every January IOM, puts a spotlight on the cool kids of manufacturing in our region. The NEWMA All Stars are back and inspiring as ever. I hope you’ll take some time to get to know them by reading the magazine and watching their videos. Watch the podcast feed this month, too, for a deeper dive into one of the coolest All Star stories. No spoilers on the details here; you’ll just have to tune in.
Here’s wishing all our readers (and listeners!) a happy new year. I look forward to working with you again in 2024!
Stay cool,
Kate
