Hi Gemba Community! This week I'll be sharing a personal story that ties in to present day realities. I might be what you would call a "zealot" for authenticity. Nothing turns my stomach more than meeting someone who has read all the latest sales strategy books and from the minute you meet them, is trying to manipulate you. Or the odd propensity of the internet, to … [Read more...]
About Joe Hackman
FMG No. 20 – Imagining a Different Future
Manufacturing plays an incredibly critical role in shaping the future success of nations around the world. Here in the USA, we are poised to change what that future might look like. Nearly 30 years ago, I was inspired by computer games. Games by Id Software and Blizzard captured my attention for days, weeks, months on end. The silver lining was early on (e.g. the Doom days). … [Read more...]
FMG No. 19 – Stretch Goals and Time with AI
I recently "vibe coded" (described what I wanted an app to do in plain language, and an AI tool wrote the actual code for me) an app I use every single day, all day, to work smarter and faster. I opened Cursor, described the need in plain English, and let it do its thing while I was guiding the effort. If that sounds impossible, remember how quickly tool-chains evolved around … [Read more...]
FMG No. 18 – Would You Attend a Smart Manufacturing Retreat?
Hello Gemba Community! This week, I’m keeping it short and sweet. I would love your input as I explore the idea of in-person events tied to the world of Smart Manufacturing and personal development. Would you be interested in attending something like a: weekend retreat with practical workshops. focused 1-day mastermind session. multi-day conference with … [Read more...]
Streamline Your Manufacturing with CIMCO MDM
Are you tired of drowning in a sea of paper setup sheets, chasing down the latest NC program versions, or dealing with costly errors from unapproved files? CIMCO Manufacturing Data Management (MDM) is here to transform your production process. Designed for manufacturers who demand precision and efficiency, CIMCO MDM is a paperless data management system that centralizes, … [Read more...]
FMG No. 17 – AI as a Tool for Professional Development
I recently merged another topic into our website, Getting Started with AI in Manufacturing. If AI is new to you, that article is geared towards reluctant, casual and other people looking to get started using LLMs such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok3. Knowing the manufacturing community has some very sensitive issues around trade secrets, controlled materials, etc. I emphasized … [Read more...]