Coaching Manufacturers to Innovate Adapt, Grow, and Go with IMEC

Curt Anderson  00:01

Man Happy Monday Damon, how are you? Dude? What’s happening man?

Damon Pistulka  00:05

I’m doing great. It’s turning into summertime man is

Curt Anderson  00:09

it just is gorgeous. Just wonderful. My How was your weekend? Did you get dressed up for this for this?

Damon Pistulka  00:17

This I rested up rested up really hard. Like

Curt Anderson  00:20

I said, Dude go to bed early because we’ve got a big guest today. Really, really big show. I’m doing my worst Ed Sullivan in person. Hi, let’s dive in. So, show this is an honor. This is a privilege. I’m introducing my dear friends. Curry from IMEC Stacey, happy Monday. How are you? Oh,

Stacey Curry  00:43

I am wonderful. And thank you to both of you for having me on. It is such a pleasure and an honor.

Curt Anderson  00:51

Honors all our CAC. This has been a longtime comment. You’re a dear friend. The honor and privilege of you know, like with COVID time you never said for COVID. But we’ve met person at a couple of different conferences. I’ve had the privilege of sitting in the in the audience for one of your workshops and we are going to dive into that hands on when the best workshops I’ve ever attended. I’m not just saying that because you’re sitting here. Alright, let’s dive in Stacy curry. I have one I’m going to open up with a question and I didn’t I you might not. You might you might not be aware of this one. Damon, she might not be ready. Okay,

Stacey Curry  01:23

I’m ready. Bring it on.

Curt Anderson  01:25

Hang on, Stacy. Here we go. You’re ready. Yes, Cece, when you were a little girl growing up? Oh, when you were a little girl growing up? Who was your hero? Who is your your little girl?

Stacey Curry  01:41

All right. So as cliche as this might not it may pardon me may sound I knew at a very, very young age that I was going to teach in some capacity. And I honestly to this day, I’m gonna I’m gonna drop her name. I don’t know where she is today. But my English teacher Beata Mulvaney was a rock star. And to this day, she has invalid influenced my, I don’t know, my style, my creativity, my mindset, because she was so caring and so different and creative. And I will always remember that she was the one that the quiet students she pulled, she pulled them out. She pulled them out. And I think that’s really that’s a gift. And, and I will always remember her to this day, I’ll never forget her. I will always remember her and I will always honor her. And I mean, we weren’t even really that close. And I don’t even think she even knows that I I thought so highly of her. But I think she she brought out something in me that has stayed with me to this day. So be Mulvaney, wherever you are. I so I’m in awe of you. And I am so grateful for just the experience that you have provided. Yeah. Wow.

Curt Anderson  03:21

Okay, what a beautiful tribute. That was. Yeah. Stacy curry. So I think what you might want to consider is like, try to find her on social somewhere if she is if she would. Beautiful attribute. And just a couple of things that I want to uncover that that you just shared their number one is like believing in somebody, right? Just having that deep belief and see like you said, like she that was her gift. Her gift was actually seeing the gift and others. And you know, like in going after the quiet kids I absolutely love that is that’s phenomenal. And what a profound I know I’m married to a school teacher, so my wife was gonna love this one when I tell her when I shared this one with her. But what a great you just you never know the impact that you’re having on others. Yeah.

Stacey Curry  04:07

Yeah, definitely. And I don’t think she ever knew I don’t think I ever had an opportunity to share with her. But yeah, her creativity and just her spirit. I don’t know, I think maybe now at the age that I’m I am in the life phase that I’m in. I pay homage to it pretty much every time I walk into a client and I’m doing some kind of consulting or training or some kind of development opportunity. I just always feel like I’m channeling a little bit of her spirit in every other educator or develop person that I’ve crossed their paths with that has helped me to develop right I kind of channeled that legacy I at least I hope I do.

Curt Anderson  04:52

man All right, David, you get chosen already or want to pick up this program man. Are you kidding me? So A couple of things are say say, you know, what we were saying before we might not talk about our topic because this is so good right here. All right, you know, mentoring, right? How the impact again like you know, hey today’s Monday right? But you don’t know the impact on that Monday that you’re having on others number one number two boys seek that mentor you know, I’m at my age I’m so I’m constantly looking for mentors. You know, younger teenage 20 Somethings. How to make me better iron sharp sharpens iron. So I got Stacy, I just I couldn’t love that more, and how you’re channeling her? You know, that was just a few years ago, right when you were in high school, but just a few. A few. Right? But just you know, over that course of time, you’re still channeling her again, what a beautiful tribute to a teacher. So that yeah, thank you for sharing that. That was a beautiful story.

Stacey Curry  05:49

Thank you for asking. And you bet. All right, well,

Curt Anderson  05:52

let’s go here. And we were in what was her name Mulvaney. Is that her lesson? Yep.

Stacey Curry  05:55

Well, I don’t know if she wants to get a shout out. Right. She might want to be under the radar. But her name was be Mulvaney.

Curt Anderson  06:06

All right. What I you know what, Damon, I don’t know about you. I’m sure she would be thrilled. Yeah. Minard. Yeah. And I just I connected with somebody that I haven’t seen in a super long time over the weekend. And we were just chit chatting. And this person had a really profound impact on me like 20 years ago. And I’m like, you know, what, I need to tell you what an impact you had on me. And you know, how in point made this little, you know, gosh, fest, and I just think it’s just so what you know, tell people of the impact that they’re having on you. So today’s menu for fairy, that story that just made my day? Okay. All right, let’s go next. You are with IMEC, which is just a wonderful, incredible organization that helps Illinois manufacturers, we’re going to take a deep dive into just how amazing the team at IMEC is. Can you share, okay, you school you have an English teacher had a big profound impact on you. What inspired you to bring your talents, your skills, your superpowers into the world of manufacturing?

Stacey Curry  07:04

Hmm. So here’s my story. I am a Labor’s daughter. And my father worked for a manufacturer for 30 plus years. And I’m going to share something a little tender if I can. So just be just to have a moment of honesty, but not get too deep into it. It’s how do I how do I say that? So I through a daughter’s eyes witnessed a little bit of the underbelly of manufacturing, this particular manufacturer in a community real close to where I live now. And it was a significant manufacturer experienced a lawsuit? Oh, it resulted? Yeah. So I don’t mean to get heavy on your friend. But I witnessed what happened to my father and, and I only know a little bit of it, and and all of the people that he worked with, and that particular loss to resulted in the closing of that manufacturer, which greatly impacted that community greatly impacted that community. And I had been following iMac for I would say, probably a year, year and a half just through social media. And I don’t know, there was just something in there, you know, YouTube, it was I even went to their website and just studied their website, their mission, their core values, meet their team 13, right, saw all of the blogs, all of the things that they were connected with. And I could visualize myself with them. And I think I think the experience that I witnessed with my family and how it impacted not only my family, but that community that I was a part of. I don’t know, I just had a moment where I’m like, It’s time. It’s time and you know, I’m in a different life phase, right. And so, when when I came to IMEC, I thought, this is this, this is how I want to spin the next tenure of my career. And it’s not even a career. It’s like my life extension. This is what I want to do because I want to help. I mean, you too. I’m preaching to the choir. Manufacturers are awesome. I mean, they are absolutely incredible. They truly I mean, when you go in there and you hear their stories and you hear or how they got to where they are today. And their legacy. And some of them have a long legacy. And some of them are just start not that the way that they got there is so inspiring. It is. So they are I mean, there are infrastructure. And and, you know, talk about the heroes, if I were to talk about the heroes that I’ve met today, I have met some incredible, incredible people in manufacturing, that are lifting up our economies that are making things happen, that logistically, they’re making it happen. And I’m just in awe. And every time I walk into one of our clients, I just feel incredibly humbled like how did I get here? Why Why am I am so honored to be here? Right? And so I don’t even know what the question was, but neither drove me to manufacturing was just I think, I think it’s, it’s to pay homage and it’s an extension of my family, and my father’s efforts and everything that he went through, I want I want in my own very, very, very small way to try and make a difference with them, not for them, but with them. Right. And and to take them into that next gen because the next gen workforce is showing up in a whole different way. And I’d really like to help be kind of a conduit or a bridge to that. Yeah. So that’s why that’s why I’m in manufacturing, and I’m not going back. There’s no going back. I’m here. I’m committed.

Curt Anderson  11:47

Alright, Damon, run through a wall or what? This is amazing. Okay, yeah, it wasn’t even a drop down. Like that was a mobilization. We’re gonna take a moment of silence right there and just savor multiple things that you just shared right there that are so powerful. Again, happy Monday to everybody join us drop a drop your name, let us know where you’re coming from in the chat box. Feel free. We have a manufacturing guru here, drop questions in the chat box. Love to know where you’re coming from connect with Stacy curry on LinkedIn, you’ll be grateful that you did, Stacy so many things unpack right there. This is a calling. Like, this is a cause right? When we talk about the saga, like the passion that and we’re gonna do I’m gonna share a few things that CCN Oh, digging in on you. We’re gonna do a little, you know, some more digging into Stacey here. But you know, a couple of things that you talked about, you knew what you wanted to do. And you know, David, when we talked to manufacturers with their website, how important it is you dug in to meet the team, you dug into, like what you knew all sorts of research and information. So for manufacturers out there that on their website, you know, maybe they’re not going all in, you know, hey, you know, marketing isn’t my thing. You know, we’re at full capacity. I don’t need new customers. I need clients. Well, guess what, this is a perfect textbook example of how Stacy checkout iMac, and how your ideal employee doesn’t need to be that ideal customer could be checking you as well. So sorry, Stacy.

Stacey Curry  13:18

Should I say something to them, please? Because, you know, I think what you said is really important. And that is one of the things that I’ve noticed, with some clients, right with some manufacturing clients. Tell your story. Be proud of that story. Put it out there. Right. And I mean, yes, there’s the legacy, it’s, it’s the, you know, a mom and pop and we grew this and, and where are you going? That’s what that next gen workforce wants to be a part of, is, I want to be a part of your future. So where are you going and tell that story? And and I think that that sometimes is a missed opportunity, right? Like to get them excited about contributing to something that’s so much bigger than themselves and and I think sometimes because our manufacturers because you know that we really partner with that small to mid size and they’re very humble people and it’s like hey, shout it shout it from the rooftops get those, that next gen workforce excited to be a part of manufacturing again, right, and that it’s for the betterment of the greater good when you come to work for us. That’s a story that I think our manufacturers can kind of level up on I get good about sharing your story because that they’re they’re amazing stories out there. Right. And when you ask them, oh my gosh, they love to tell you about it. They they want you to understand kind of the grit and the blood, sweat and tears that it took to build that up and when you realize that you want to be a Part of that right inspires you to continue that legacy. And I do think that’s an opportunity for manufacturers to get a little bit more no no intentional about and that’s all I’ll say to that. Oh, you

Curt Anderson  15:14

definitely don’t need my friend.

Damon Pistulka  15:17

We got some got some comments in here. Hey,

Curt Anderson  15:20

we’ve got Levine Allen, saying love the subject of discussion. We’ve got Benjamin hello from New York and Matson here. West Salem machinery Happy Monday. I

Damon Pistulka  15:32

just gotta say, West Salem machinery. They make like these great big grinders where you can take like, the biggest tree stump you’ve ever seen that you got to pick up with a big excavator and drop it right in and just grind it out? Oh, it’s not nice. They’re down in Portland, I

15:48

believe, you know? And

Stacey Curry  15:50

do you mind if I pop into because Steven, you bring up something really amazing, right? So for every every client that we walk into, isn’t it such a beautiful thing when you’re out in the community? And you’re like, I know who makes that awning? Yeah, I know. Like, you’ll sit down and you’ll be like, I know, I know who makes that whatever that is, like you you’ve had a brush with greatness. And it could be, you know, a napkin holder. But you know, who makes that? It could be like, even your big machinery and you’re like, I’ve had a brush with greatness. I know who makes that? Or you’ve seen the hand stitching on an awning and you’re like, No, no, no, you don’t understand that was hand stitched. That that was I mean, those are the moments that I have that I’m like, holy cow. Everything that we walk around, it’s like don’t take for that don’t take that for granted that that somebody’s hands, touch that. Yeah, made that so our lives could be easier, more efficient and effective. And that’s I think that’s the beauty that I get out of it. And the the sense of awe that I get out of partnering with each and every one of our clients all over Yes.

Damon Pistulka  17:06

Because they’re around the corner from you. You don’t even know what’s going on this building probably stuffs coming in and out people go to work there you don’t even know what’s happening. And they could be building the next whatever you’re they’re producing. gazillion of these things that are in every you know, wherever it’s so cool. Oh man says are going to be showing some more stops getting chewed up soon. Whoa. absolute love and

Curt Anderson  17:34

man. I don’t know how many jumped the mics we’ve had already. Stacy curry, man. Good. I got a new this is going to be good brush. With greatness. Are you kidding? brush with greatness and it could be a napkin holder. That might be one of the best lines of all time on this show right there. Daymond. So Damon. Alright, before we dig deeper, Stacy, I love I want to I am eager for you to tee up. What is the MEP? So you’re with both we’re seeing that, hey, you’re with IMEC we’re like hey, what does this acronym please share with folks? What is the MEP Manufacturing Extension Partnership? And then we’re going to take a deep dive into iMac what is I’m sure

Stacey Curry  18:13

and I’ll keep it a little high level. So as most of your listeners who have joined you before or joining you in the future, what they know about manufacturing is the MEP is the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. And the beautiful thing that they do is they provide funding for resources or centers like IMEC and they’re all over the United States. There’s one in every state and to me, they are the steward the good stewards of the funding. And all of the MEP centers like iMac received that funding so then we can really be a good steward of that funding to provide specifically what our small to mid sized manufacturers truly need to help them continue to be progressive, to be innovative, to get the workforce that they need to move them into automation the way that we need to be have a presence in automation. And so that extension partnership I think is a beautiful, beautiful partnership for people like us so we can do good for the manufacturing clients with them. Well

Curt Anderson  19:35

love it Okay, so that’s the MEP that’s a national you know, federal program if any of our friends out there Google or check out an E P Manufacturing Extension Partnership. So let’s dive into IMEC. You are with the MEP in the great state of Illinois. Please share with folks how does iMac make the world a better place?

Stacey Curry  19:57

So iMac stands for the Illinois manufacturing Bring excellence center. And I absolutely do believe that we are a center of excellence. I have no doubt about it. And so we are Oh, a staff of we’re growing very fast. I mean, just even in the short time that I’ve been with iMac Oh, wow. I mean, I think we’ve, we’ve grown by a third, right. And we’re always bringing on new talent and new resources. And so we have experts in the state of Illinois that have partnered with IMEC that provide solutions on, you know, lien, automation, cybersecurity, safety and quality. We also have the supply chain, as you know, the supply chain is huge for all of our manufacturing clients, and for all of the MEP centers. That is a big, big focus right now. And we also like yourselves, we have vetted partners that bring in their areas of expertise and knowledge to be shared with our clients. And so we we really focus in on and then this is kind of my, my kind of where I slide into as the workforce piece of it. Right. So we have experts in workforce that are in engagement, right? So we help with engagement survey, we help with culture, right? Because what we’re seeing right now, with that new, I call it the next gen workforce coming in, we’re coming in a little different, we have different values, and we have different, you know, I don’t know, what does leadership mean to them, and they’re coming to the workforce with a whole different mindset of collaboration and all of them. And we’re helping them with that mindset of how do we, how do we partner with this next gen workforce coming in? How do we be effective? How do we how do we capitalize on what they know, and where they want to go? And just the whole retention issue, and all of that with the workforce. So IMEC is just this really cool resource of this phenomenal talent and knowledge that we partner with our manufacturers on to help them get to where they want to go. And we also help them to see the possibilities of, Hey, you want to go here, hey, have you thought about this, and it helps opens their eyes to what could be right. And so we partner with them along the way. And it’s, it’s not just that sage on the stage. But I really do see I met professionals really being that guide that walks with them along the side, right, all the way through the processes to help them get to where they want to go. And when we depart from that client, they feel secure, that they can integrate that whatever their learnings are whatever they got through the partnership, that they can begin to integrate that immediately into their culture and their own way of doing and being. And I think that’s really important. It’s not just a we show up, and then we pull up stakes and leave them to their own devices. We’re there to help guide them so they truly are successful. I think that’s really beautiful. Yeah,

Curt Anderson  23:31

it is absolutely awesome. Let’s get and I’m always when it comes to I’m like I’m always reluctant to do this for fear of leaving somebody out. But Stacey, you truly have an all star team. I’m gonna give a few shout outs you know, your fearless leader de belay. Absolutely. My dear friend Jacqueline. I’ve gotten the list of Basa Melissa durable raise a guy who has been a multiple friend on the show here. Christie, Eric Jordan, Cameron, Doug, Dave, Gianna Zara. I’ve got Cassie Noah Paola. Amy, you’ve got a couple of Mary’s, Megan, Shannon and Amanda. So Drew, I know, I’m sure. You’ve got like, I think 50 strong. So I’m sure I left out. Yeah, 100%. But those are the few that I have. And so the great thing is when somebody comes to you, you know, it’s always that risk of like, hey, trying to be everything to everybody. But you know, we always can run the MEP network I met, we have a guy, right or a gal. So when that manufacturer comes to you, they have a challenge of frustration. They have something that’s going on, you have just such a what there’s 1300 MEP networks nationwide, you know, individuals, 1300 individuals, plus you have third party provider providers. So just can you just talk a little bit about when you engage with that manufacturer, when I’m engaged with that manufacturer? How do you guys just really dig into that deep bench and how you’re able to tackle that problem?

Stacey Curry  24:51

Yeah, you know, you did you you gave a shout out to a lot of amazing people with that, you know, um, you know, and you too are vetted by honors both Curt and Damon. You guys are right there, your honorary I’m Becker’s, right? That’s right. So let’s give a shout out to the regional managers, right? Because we do have a crew of regional managers who really are the entry and like your race, right? And that go in and, and just sit with them, I think that’s the most important thing to do is just sit with them and gain their story. What are their pain points? What are the successes that they’re having they’re experiencing, that they can help them to, I don’t capitalize on or REC is, it’s not all about their pain points. But for the most part, there’s some sticky areas where they are seeking our help, right? They’re seeking our guidance. And I think the regional manager having that, that relationship, and building that trust that that’s instrumental, because if you don’t have the trust, then it’s none of us are gonna get in there. Right. And, and that takes time. I mean, you think about a ray that comes in and has just this vast array of manufacturing knowledge, right, he can easily walk in there and relate to them, and that that’s what they want our clients want. They want us to be able to understand them and their needs, right. And so through that relationship, and through that building of trust that the regional managers are so sophisticated at doing, I think it really helps that client or our clients to in you know, I mean, manufacturers, they we got to prove ourselves a little bit, right. I mean, I think that’s very true. They want us, they want to know that we get them and that we understand them, right. And so when when we identify some pain points, I think the regional managers are very good at Deep Dive assessments. It’s not just, Oh, you have an issue, you know, an issue or a situation or a problem with this, oh, well, we can help you. No, no, no, they do a better job at really getting into the root cause analysis, so then they can determine who would be the best fit. And then they just invite us to come in and have that continued conversation, because collectively, we may discover something completely different, right? And so those regional managers are instrumental at building that relationship and doing that deep dive assessment, linked to their strategies linked to their mission, their core values and where they want to go. That to me is foundational, right?

Damon Pistulka  27:41

Absolutely. Unlike you, you say to Stacey, you can’t, I mean, manufacturers, let’s let’s face it, most manufacturers are technical, they came out of they knew how to do something, and they knew how to bend metal, they knew how to CNC machine, they knew this product, and they’re gonna make a better product. They know these things, right? The founders of those companies, and a lot of people in them. And, you know, that is really the way into their know, like, and trust factors, like your regional managers, they go out and they talk the talk, they understand they’ve been in a lot of these facilities, they understand the lingo they under they’ve seen enough to be able to go, wow, that looks like quite a, an and whatever that is. And then that manufacturer goes well, this is not their, their first time at this. And and I can begin to understand that they may have the experience that can actually help us, right, which is that that first initial thing, because you talked about earlier, manufacturers, the trials and tribulations they go to build these companies, when you think about the capital investments that are needed, the workforce, the supply chain, the regulation, I mean, just go keep going on top of it, right. They’ve gone through a lot of challenges and had to go through this, they don’t need someone beside them, that’s just going to create more challenges, they need someone that’s going to actually help them, you know, that knows how to use a shovel, if that’s what they need, or use a hammer or the right resources, because it’s just it is a challenging business. That’s just the way it is. You

Stacey Curry  29:20

know, and one of the things that you bring up that I think is really interesting and maybe you and some of your listeners have heard of this. This is gaining some popularity and the leadership in kind of managerial kind of fields right is VUCA and we are in VUCA stands for we are in the midst of volatility right now. And and that’s what the V stands for. So it’s volatility, unknown complexity, and ambiguous times. And and VUCA comes from and I don’t claim to be very brilliant about this or even Mostly intelligent, but I believe it has its roots. In military. It’s a military term. And I think it’s a fairly recent military term. But But I think our manufacturers are, are feeling and are experiencing some volatility, we are in unknown times. I mean, the workforce is not banging on the manufacturing door right now. Right. And they’re struggling to figure out how to recruit. So it’s unknown supply chain unknown, globally, events unknown, right? There is all kinds of complexity with automation, generative AI, common Adam, really, really fast and a lot of ambiguity on I’m not sure how, to what decisions that I need to make strategically that is going to help us grow or get to where we want to go. And I think that that’s what I meant brings. That’s it is that remember, when I said guide along the side? How can we guide our manufacturers in this VUCA time, right? So they don’t feel overwhelmed, because right now, they’re getting there. They’re getting it from from all from all corners. And it’s a lot to think of, but when you have that partner that can help you kind of just think it through and just pace down so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming for them. I think that’s really important right now and and just to even let them know yet we’re all experiencing this. You’re not on an island by yourself. Let us help you and guide you through this. I’m seeing it a lot with our clients right now. Wow,

Curt Anderson  31:47

I love that game. We’ve got a couple of comments again, I think we’re the top of the hour here so app give us a thumbs up we got our dear friend Tim from across the pond. Happy Monday, my family man. So he’s coming to us from Amsterdam and Stacy. So what are some things that I want to pack in there? We’re gonna slide into we’re gonna dive into Stacey superpowers here. Yep, ready for this. So manufacturers need that guide need that Sherpa and the great thing with me PS is that you’re working with other manufacturers. So when you go to that manufacturer, you know, hey, we’ve got dozens hundreds of other clients you know, I know a program that grow your future program you did during COVID That was 127 manufacturers that you absolutely crushed it with in just consistently you know a lot of things on a scoring record that you guys that you know how you deliver your impact, and you guys are just crushing it. So the nice thing is, it’s not like you’re dealing with a handful or you’ve got you know, a few customers said that they’d like this, it’s you’re dealing with hundreds and hundreds across the state of Illinois. So you’re you’re bringing in best practices you’re bringing top right? top talent. Speaking of top talent, Damon, now CeCe is very modest. So you can plug your ears if you want to Damon, I’m going to share a few things that people say about Stacey curry, are you ready for this? Okay, I let’s see. Anyone who is lucky enough to have Stacey as a coach will definitely benefit my man that’s really nice. nudges you to take action and improve high energy, high enthusiasm. Stacy, I love this is my favorite. Stacy is a talented and powerful and real, irreplaceable. Coach. Her spirit is contagious. The impact of her clairvoyance. Priceless. So these are things that these are comments that have been said about

Stacey Curry  33:33

you get that information

Curt Anderson  33:37

called your mom and she gave me a whole list. So these are comments that these are comments that have been made about you, Stacy. And again, we’re going to dig into a workshop that I attended of yours in one minute. But before we go there, just I’m going to take a deep we’ve talked a lot about the MEP, we’ve talked about IMEC. If you’re just joining us, boy, I encourage you to go back when you first started sharing like your passion, your enthusiasm for manufacturing, CC, let’s dive into maybe what you’re doing this week. Today projects like how you’re helping manufacturers, how do you bring your superpowers I want to dive into like what what are you doing specifically to help your clients? Okay, well,

Stacey Curry  34:16

Damon, this is where I think you could probably pipe in as well. Right. And so one of the things that I think so so what I’m doing are you talking about me personally, or what are we at? I’m back to

Curt Anderson  34:26

talking about my friend Stacy Kirsch.

Stacey Curry  34:29

So one of the things that I think is really I’m discovering is a missed strategic opportunity. And that is talent succession planning. So that is has been actually my week for the past couple of weeks. Right. And so, Damon, I know that you’re in that space too. But it’s it’s an often overlooked strategy, that I think our small to mid size manufacturers can really begin to embrace is because it’s really understanding. Okay, first of all, what’s the depth of their talent within their organization? Right? And and what are they doing? We’re spending a lot of time on recruitment, we got to get them in, we got to get the workforce in. And I’m raising my hand to say, okay, great, but But what about this phenomenal potential that you have had there? For years? What are you doing for them? What are you doing to keep them? What do you do and to keep their hearts inspired? Right? Invest in them, because they’ve been with you on this journey. So invest in them. And so we’ve been doing a lot of high potential identification and discussions about new ways beyond technical apprenticeships on how beyond that, right, so technical apprenticeships and beyond, right, how can you develop your next gen leaders? And that takes a new mindset? Yeah. Yeah. So David, what’s been your experience? Nothing that

Damon Pistulka  36:15

the the the MEPs are really good at, too. I mean, I was just in a manufacturer last week that the the local impact Washington was working with out here. And I was really impressed that their leadership team, you know, the owner, the owner is, is a bit older than I am. But you look at the entire leadership team. And I don’t think there was, there was one that might have been over 45. That’s really something to see in manufacturing, because usually it’s the opposite. Yeah, you know, what, talk to somebody and they go, oh, yeah, you know, I started the business and my friend, whoever here, they’ve been with me forever, they’re gonna stay with the business. And you look at that friend that’s got all the technical knowledge in the business, and they’re 65 Plus, and they’re thinking, you know, in our work, we’re talking about exit succession planning for that owner. They don’t realize how much of a liability that is, because they’re key people. Yes. Don’t have other people that are learning what they need to do growing that knowledge base to be able to take it to the, you know, beyond them. And it’s huge is big.

Stacey Curry  37:25

You know, I’d like to give a shout out to I believe her name is Lisa Stewart. It might be Lisa Stewart, but I think it’s LIS e Stewart. She’s with the MEP. She’s with the MEP as well. And I a couple of weeks ago heard one of her webinars, and she was doing talent succession. And I think she is an expert in that field. And, you know, she too was echoing Hey, this is it’s not just to come in and do it. It is a strategic planning process. Yeah, and I really appreciated her webinar and I was really happy to hear the MEP take on that perspective of talent succession and it’s, it has many tentacles and what I have discovered with clients is they’re all at different places with talent succession and meet them where they are so you can help you know them to see okay, so if you want to start here let’s build on that and then you can take it to the next level right because it has many tentacles Yes.

Curt Anderson  38:36

high potential identification etc I might we might need to have to do a workshop for the wives demon like maybe they could see some high potential in us one of these days just take no it’s not gonna happen David. Seen it now. After 26 years open but I I couldn’t love this more this high potential CC let’s dive in here. And again, guys. We’re here with Stacy Curry’s technical specialists from IMEC doing amazing, incredible work of manufacturers just you can just feel her enthusiasm just just pouring right through your computer. Stacey I want to dive into I had the honor and privilege I’ve been to multiple you’re an avid speaker at workshops, you do presentations, webinars, all sorts of fun things. I had the honor and privilege. So I’m going to dig into a couple of things. First off, what inspires you you gave a shout out to your teacher when we kick things up? What really lights your fire to do these workshops and presentations and then I’m going to dive into the one that I attended.

Stacey Curry  39:39

Yeah, okay, so what inspires me? So as a coach, I will say what inspires me the most and what really gives me the reason to wake up in the morning and to keep on doing what I’m doing. Are all of the coaching calls means that I have had the opportunity to share time and space with. And, and I will tell you that I’ve had a lot of great opportunities to coach, some manufacturing leaders right within the time that I have been with iMac. And again, not to get too deep. But you will all you will recognize this, we’re all going through something. We’re all going through something. And the mere fact that they have entrusted me to share their stories with and to hear the hope and aspirations that they have, in terms of their commitments to manufacturing, please, those are the heroes, those are the people that provide me the inspiration. They’re the ones and Kurt, we’ve talked about this before and the event that you attended two years ago, it’s about taking risk. It’s about putting yourself out there and just look, let’s we got to experiment without the fear of failure. And and I mean, that’s what they’re doing with me. They’re taking a huge risk by sharing their stories, and trusting me to be that guide for them. That’s amazing. And that’s the reason why I’m, I’m terrified. I’m terrified right now, in this moment. This is my first podcast and I am shaking in my boots, that every time we do that, it expands our what we thought were once limitations, and it expands it, you know, like, Oh, I did it. And now I can do more. And I think that that’s the inspiration I get from the coaching clients and in the manufacturing clients, that I’ve had an opportunity to partner with people like you and people like my peers and colleagues. Phenomenal, phenomenal. That’s why I do it. I

Curt Anderson  42:02

absolutely love this and you know, the title of the show today, you know, innovate, adapt, grow and go. I just just love this. Okay, here’s what I’ve been looking forward to for two years. Okay. So I had the honor privilege you and I met in person. I’m like, Hey, Stacy, I think I if I’m not mistaken, I’m gonna say I think Melissa is horrible might have introduced us. And so you know, a teammate of yours and had it just I was thrilled to meet you. And I’m like, I saw that you’re on a docket. There’s all sorts of great workshops. And it’s always hard to decide which one do you attend? And I’m like, Well, I want to check out Stacy’s I walked in. And we’ve got we’ve got so Timothy’s saying hello from Amsterdam. And he says, Hey, without the fear of failure, well said Stacy. Johnson, like right there. You did something if you can remember, I know you’ve done a lot of workshops. So if you remember the one that I attended, you came in and like disrupted the whole room? Up, right. Do you remember you know that? Yes, I do. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I loved it. I when we before we went live, I told you like I’ve literally if if I say hundreds I probably exaggerating, I’ve been to dozens upon dozens upon dozens and dozens of workshops. It’s a passion of mine, and maybe as hundreds, you are definitely in the top three top and I saw Sergey Brin speak live. I was I saw like before, like back in like 2005 or whatever. So Wow. So do you are hands down one of the top three workshops I’ve attended, can you please share kind of like what went on that workshop and what your intention was? And it had a huge impact on me?

Stacey Curry  43:40

Sure. Okay. So if I remember correctly, the topic was team coaching. Right? And so, so just to give your audience a context, I mean, they that this conference was attended by people affiliated with the MEP network, right. So it was our peers, right? Is that safe to say, and our partners within this space? And one of the things Curt, that that I think is so very important when you’re doing any kind of facilitation, consulting, training, development, whatever it is, with adults, with adults, get them involved. Because if I am just going to be a talking head and say, okay, Damon and Curt, here are the top three things that you need to do to go out and be successful. The likelihood of you adopting them is pretty low, right? But if we can get you involved, right, if you can become a participant in the actual experience, your experience that you’re having, and you’re coming up with the best choice points for you to take PAC, the likelihood of you adopting those and integrating those is way higher, way higher and And the whole philosophy of team coaching is again, I’m not that sage on the stage, you are you sitting in this room are right. And that was the great disruption. I mean, I think what what there was, like 100 plus people there, and we’re like, move, get rid of your chairs, and it was all in conference style. But they did it. They did, they found a way. And they found a way to, to share in the experience, right, and to be engaged in the conversation. That to me is the epitome of team coaching. Give people have voice, let them lead from the front line, let them decide what’s best for them within, you know, as long as it’s aligned to the strategies and the progression and right all of that. But But that, to me is where the real voice is not my voice, their voice. Yeah. And that’s what we did, we turned it around and gave them the opportunity to guide that session. And the risk was, I had no idea where it was gonna go, I had no idea, no idea. But you have to trust the process. And wherever they took it as a, as a facilitator and team coaching, you have to navigate that you have to go to what’s important to them, not what you think is important. That’s the big distinction, I think, between what we did, and traditional training, right?

Curt Anderson  46:25

Yeah, it was absolutely a stroke of genius, Damon, so picture, a huge, like you said, probably 100 people, huge conference room, and it was long, like the room went long. Okay, this long. So there’s two tables, or however many tables, so it’s like, you know, two sections, and kind of like, you know, I don’t know, 810 people on each side chairs, or I don’t really see something. And so, and then like, probably, however many rows deep. So, you know, it was my recollection, it was the last session or like, end of the day. And you know, a lot of people just, I’m gonna go in there, you know, if I checked my phone, check my email if you would ever use you to conference, right? And Stacy comes in and again, I just met her right. She was like, Alright, guys, grab your chairs. And like, you’re gonna do this, like so everybody had a face each other. And I’m not gonna justice. But we had to, we had to pick up our chairs turn, and like now face each other. There’s like 100 of us, created like this giant, oval. And like, you’re not checking your phone, you’re not checking email, like you were aged. It was a total risk. It was total disruption. And I loved every second of it. I’m talking with people I’m like, I’m Iraq, cramped together, like people right across me. Were engaging. We were it was I you guys go in sections, or you know, groups. And now you’re going to do this work together. And Stacey, I just I applaud you, I commend you. And just, you know, Damon, I do a lot of workshops, and how your English teacher is always in your mind. I’m always thinking, I’m like, am I getting people engaged the way Stacey did. So I just really admire that how you had you had the courage, you had the wherewithal and the guts to like, really disrupt a lot of people who are, you know, like, our age ish, you know, very conservative, as far as like, workwise. Now, you know, and I just, I thought it was brilliant. I thought it was just it was a very profound, you really dug deep into these topics. You got ageing, talking? And yeah, please

Stacey Curry  48:23

very much. You know, one of the things I think for any of you who are it learning and development, or training or whatever, whatever you’re doing, it actually is beyond learning and development. I really do believe and I didn’t always believe this. But now I’m here, I’m here in this space, you must demonstrate, you must demonstrate and embrace what you’re asking your participants to do. And that particular session was a demonstration. And they did it. So I demonstrated exactly what I wanted them to do. And they did it. And and they didn’t always do exactly what I wanted to do. I think there was one question that really took it off. And it was it ended up being kind of a juicy debate, right? But you got to go with that. You. You can’t you have to be aligned to whatever topic you are presenting, you must be aligned to that. And I think that that’s, they noticed that I mean, I did get a couple of comments like, wow, that was really different. And I’m like, what was it? That was really different? Or Wow, that was really different. Right? And so it was more of the latter, right. And so, I don’t know, I think for adults, it’s so very important for us to be engaged so we can make our own decisions. The likelihood of us integrating that is so powerful, and then to affirm to affirm where they’re going and to support where they’re going right A because again, we’re in VUCA times and there’s a lot coming at us. And we’ve got to help to build up that that that. I don’t know, confidence that they got it and they’re capable. Right,

Damon Pistulka  50:13

right. Yep. I think in these times like this, when you say when it is VUCA, unknown, volatile, all these things that are happening right now, what I like to do with people when I’m talking to leaders is, Listen, this is a challenge today, there’s no doubt there’s a challenge in front of you. Look back at the plethora of challenges you got over to get here. Yes, this is another one, just like the last one, you thought this is the end, it’s not the end, you have to keep your mind open, be grateful that you’re here. If you’re able to have these challenges in front of you, first of all, you’re able to do it. Because that’s that’s a huge, huge mindset shift that we got to do this thing. But we’re, we it’s a real, real opportunity to be able to solve some of these challenges that these leaders have. And they just got to look over their shoulder a little bit more and go and not at not at bad, not anything like that. Oh, no. All this stuff that I’ve overcome to get here. This is just another thing. Yeah, that’s all it is. And I’m gonna get through it, and then go off and do it. Because it’s, it’s we make these things up in our head so much, but it’s awesome. You say that and getting people in in involved in it, because that’s the only way to do it. Well,

Stacey Curry  51:27

David, you said something that’s so powerful. And I do believe this because I’m living it. And Curt, you’re a phenomenal example of this. Curt, you believe the world is out to do you good? You do? And Jim and I don’t know you and up, but I’m gonna get to know you. It’s all about your mindset. Yep. It’s about the mindset, right? And that it’s because things feel so complex. You’re so right. Hey, remember when remember, when you achieved and you overcame, boom, we can use that same bit, it might mean that we might need to shift a little bit we might need to experiment. And that whole session two years ago, was about experimentation. And every time I partner with a client, it’s it’s not continuous improvement. It’s continuous experimentation. Right? That’s it. And to be okay with that to be okay with, well, we might fail well, yeah. Great. We’ll be able to learn something beautiful from it. As long as we have the right mindset to be reflective and to learn. Hey, we learn this. Now we know now we’re stronger. Right?

Curt Anderson  52:49

Timothy says I’m happy I came in great advice. Stacy curry dropped the mic. Are you kidding me?

Damon Pistulka  52:56

I wrote that one down.

Curt Anderson  53:00

Experiment deal day with continuous experimentation

Damon Pistulka  53:03

not continuous improvement.

Curt Anderson  53:05

It’s Hi, Stacy. We could keep you here all day. I’d say you are truly a gift. This was just I had such high expectations and you of course why once you you far exceeded them. i Two last things for you. Number one. First off, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I cannot express what this was just a great quotient coaching session. Damon. All right. Stacy, parting words of wisdom, thoughts, inspiration that you’d like to leave our wonderful attendees with? As we go off into the wild west

Stacey Curry  53:42

here? Yeah. To all your listeners that are here today. future and past right. Keep on doing your good work, right. Keep keep on at it. And I know that some days, it feels kind of tough. I mean, sometimes those our clients can really challenge us, right? They can challenge our mindset, right? Do it anyway. Do it anyway. I do good work for the betterment of the greater good because manufacture we have got to support our manufacturers. We have to We are the backbone of our society of our communities of our world. I am so blessed to be a part of this to be here today. With both of you just keep going keep doing good work and believe in what you do, man. Yeah, do it. Put it that in your pocket. And believe that and I just Yeah, even in your hardest days, keep going. Keep going. Because we got to be there for them. We got to take care of ourselves to be there for them.

Curt Anderson  54:48

This was oh my goodness, what a loss of words Damon, what a blessing. What an honor. What a privilege. What a gift that just be up here. In this in this conversation so Stacy, I, everybody in our crowd here, I want to just give a huge warm extended. Thank you. And how about we give Stacey a huge round of applause? absolutely crushing.

Stacey Curry  55:16

To all the people that showed up. Yeah.

Curt Anderson  55:20

Hey Damon, like you say everybody that drops comments. We appreciate you. Anybody that didn’t drop a comment. We appreciate if you’re catching this on a replay, man go back and hit the rewind catch with there was so much gold in your takeaways anything that you want? Yeah,

Damon Pistulka  55:34

it is. Thanks so much, Stacy, for being with us today. And all you do help manufacturers.

Stacey Curry  55:40

Yeah. Yeah. You’re welcome. You’re welcome. Thanks for having me.

Curt Anderson  55:45

I have one last question for Damon. I have one last question for Yes. Oh, Stacey, are you are you a baseball fan by any chance?

Stacey Curry  55:57

Okay, well, no. No, I’m not. I’m not a big sports fan. But I know the game. I know the game. Bring it on.

Curt Anderson  56:06

Bring it on. Okay. I might I might just cut this short for a walk up song. What’s your walk up song Stacy curry. So

Stacey Curry  56:12

okay, so I have thought about that. Because our beautiful friend Jacqueline told me that you were going to do that. This isn’t a walk up song. But oh my gosh, it’s so perfect for what we talked about today. Lenny Kravitz has a great song right now called human and it’s a very simple song not a walk up song. But man is it beautiful? It’s about living your truth and, and that to me those are that I want to work with the clients that manufactures that want to live their truth, right? And it’s so beautiful and I want to work with people that want to help others live their truth. So go check out that song by Lenny Lenny Kravitz simple song, but so powerful and so beautiful. And I just love it. I think it’s a beautiful act. Yeah, it’s my walk up song all embrace it. Live

Curt Anderson  57:08

jet and hey, and I guess I’ll give a big thank you to Jacqueline for spoiling the That’s hysterical. I love it. I

Stacey Curry  57:16

asked her I asked her.

Curt Anderson  57:18

Hey, love lots of love the Jacqueline. That’s absolutely hysterical. Steve. One more comment here. Timothy says you can replace manufacturers to anyone running a business producing something. Oh, great. Thanks, resident. Thank you my friend. Stacy. We will wrap up and eight for the record. To show my age. I saw Lenny Kravitz I think like a 19 long time ago so yeah, it’s a great great choice there. Yes. As demon it was the 80s I think was back in the 80s I saw Lenny Kravitz Okay. So let’s go here. We’re gonna wind down Stacy Thank you just send you tons of positive vibes deepest gratitude to you. Appreciate you more than you can imagine. This was just such a blessing for everybody in the crowd, Damon myself, guys, like we’d love to say just go out and be someone’s inspiration just like this amazing, incredible person. Stacy Curry was for all of us today. We’re gonna be back here Friday with another week. Manufacturer rate straight from we’ve got a show coming at us this Friday in a great state of Michigan. Your neighbors there, Stacy. So Stacy, hang up with us for a minute. Well, one stayed over. But hang out with us for one second. We’re going to close it out. Guys have a great rest of your week. We appreciate you. God bless and we’ll see you on Friday. Yeah.

Stacey Curry  58:34

Thank you for hosting. Bye, everyone.

Curt Anderson  58:38

Please