
Welcome to Fred Shockey’s Blog
Faith in God can be a powerful source of strength
Faith in God can be a powerful source of strength and guidance for a small manufacturer navigating challenging times. It offers not only spiritual reassurance but also practical benefits that can influence leadership, decision-making, and resilience. Here are 10 ways faith in God can support a small manufacturer: Provides inner …
Episode 16: Just-In-Time Manufacturing, Marginal Gains, and Expanding Product Development
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived Just-In-Time Manufacturing is more complicated now and requires more effort for a small manufacturer in challenging times Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing has become more complex and demanding for small manufacturers during challenging times: Supply Chain VolatilityGlobal disruptions—like pandemics, geopolitical tensions, and shipping delays—have made it …
Episode 15: Continue to Persevere, Embracing Change, and Customer Relationship
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived Continuing to persevere in the Ups and Downs of Small Business In the world of small manufacturing, perseverance isn’t just a trait—it’s a necessity. Each day brings new challenges: supply chain delays, rising material costs, and unexpected equipment failures. But through it all, we …
What can happen after retirement?
The idea that people may decline sooner after retirement is a topic that has been studied and debated, and while it's not universally true, there are some factors that may contribute to this perception. Here's a top 10 list of reasons why this might seem to happen: Loss of PurposeMany people derive …
The Land of the Unknown – Small Business Ownership: The Journey of a Lifetime
Embarking on the journey of small business ownership is like venturing into the Land of the Unknown. Below are the top 10 challenges and opportunities, each summarized in 50 words. Top 10 Challenges & Opportunities in Small Business Ownership Financial Management: Balancing cash flow, securing funding, and managing expenses are …
Episode 14: Permanent Changes, Employees in the Feild, and Working Smarter.
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived There were some permanent changes to the workforce As a small manufacturer, we observed several permanent changes to our workforce due to the lockdown. The pandemic forced us to adapt quickly, leading to a significant shift towards remote work for roles that could be …
John Templeton’s Lifetime Achievements
An amazing man – John Templeton John Templeton was a renowned investor, fund manager, and philanthropist whose contributions have left a lasting impact. Here are some of his top lifetime legacy achievements: Templeton Growth Fund: In 1954, John Templeton created the Templeton Growth Fund, which averaged growth over 15% per …
The U.S. Constitution: A Beacon of Liberty and Governance
In 1787, amid the echoes of revolution and the promise of a new republic, the U.S. Constitution was born in Philadelphia. It was a bold experiment—an enduring framework for self-governance that balanced liberty with order. Crafted by visionaries like James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, it became the supreme …
Episode 13: Focusing on Key Elements and Growth
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived Fearlessly focusing on key elements of the business As a small manufacturer, fearlessly focusing on key business elements is essential for sustainable growth and improvement. Prioritizing core competencies—such as product quality, customer relationships, and operational efficiency—allows for smarter resource allocation and sharper strategic direction. …
The Golden Age of America
Ushering in The Golden Age of America The concept of the "Golden Age of America" often evokes images of economic prosperity, technological innovation, and global leadership. One of the key factors that could contribute to this new era is the strategic elimination of trade barriers such as tariffs, duties, and …
Episode 12: Surviving the Mock-Alypse, Change = Thrive, and Investing in Research and Innovation.
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived Surviving the Mock-Alypse The predicted apocalypse during the lockdown was a fear tactic used to control people. The lockdowns were exaggerated and imposed unnecessary restrictions on personal freedoms. The fear of societal collapse and extreme measures were a way to manipulate public behavior and …
Episode 11: Cash Flow, New Product Development, and Generational Changes in Manufacturing.
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived The importance of managing cash flow = #1! Managing cash flow is crucial for small manufacturers, especially during turbulent times. Cash flow ensures that a business can meet its immediate financial obligations, such as paying suppliers, employees, and overhead costs. Without adequate cash flow, …
Episode 10 : Plant Management, Advanced Planning, and Faith.
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived Staying very proactive with safety, supply chain and cleaning During the government lockdown, our team demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. We maintained operations without shutting down by prioritizing safety, ensuring a robust supply chain, and implementing rigorous cleaning protocols. Firstly, we proactively adopted safety …
Episode 9 – Positive Mindset, Moving Forward, and Personal Discipline
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived 1. Maintaining a Positive Mindset Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial for small manufacturers facing challenges. It helps you stay resilient and adaptable, enabling you to find innovative solutions and seize opportunities even in tough times. Positivity fosters a proactive approach, reducing stress and …
Becoming Your Own Guru: A Path to Self-Mastery
In today's fast-paced world, the idea of becoming your own guru is both empowering and essential. It means taking charge of your personal growth and guiding yourself towards a fulfilling life. Here’s how you can embark on this journey: 1. Self-Reflection Start by setting aside time for self-reflection. This could …
Episode 8 – Supply Chain is King, Incremental improvements are essential, and growth requires change.
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived 1. Supply chain is King. During challenging times, the supply chain is crucial for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies. It ensures the timely delivery of raw materials and products, helping maintain production schedules and meet customer demands. Efficient supply chain management minimizes disruptions, reduces …
Episode 7 – Strategic Buying, Not Staying Paralyzed, Good Financial Decisions
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived 1. Strategic Buying For small manufacturing companies, strategic buying is especially important to mitigate risks during challenging times. These companies often operate with tighter budgets and fewer resources, making efficient purchasing decisions critical. Strategic buying involves selecting reliable suppliers who can provide consistent quality …
Episode 6 – The Business Thrived During the Shutdown, Finding New Resources, Did Not Shut Down, Ever.
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived 1. The Business Thrived During the Shutdown The global shutdown posed significant challenges for businesses across all sectors. Yet, many small manufacturers demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, managing not only to survive but to thrive during this period. One key factor in their success …
Episode 5 – New Product Design + Expanded Sales, Internet Visibility, Connection with the workforce.
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived 1. New Product Design + Expanded Sales This is where the rubber meets the road. New product offerings and an expanded sales force to spread the word proved essential during the most challenging times of the destructive government lockdown. New product development follows the …
Episode 4 – Winning the mental game. Building team depth. Improving relationships with market makers.
3 Strategies from Leaders that Thrived 1. Winning the mental game. Building healthy mental habits to prepare for challenging times. The pressures and rapid changes we’ve all experienced in the last 5 years would rival the most challenging times in history. Sure, other amazing human achievements dot the historical landscape …