FAQ

Ha, I'm flattered; let's talk! I'm scheduling 1-2 weeks out for interviews and site visits,1-2 months out for new client onboarding.

Wow, good question. The paperwork is way easier than hiring employees. We'll sign a Form 1099 and a really basic contract. Since I'm not being hired, there's way less to worry about. It's easier than making a purchase from The Home Depot. 

Then Intuit (Quickbooks) handles the secure processing of all payments, which can be made via ACH (withdrawal) or Credit Card. Your consultant won't see any payment or account details. Payments are handled fully on Intuit's secure site.

Not yet, if you are among the next few new clients. I'm just trying to get my name out there, ya know?

We've got options! I can structure an approach based on 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 12-month time periods, or hop on board indefinitely. The best time to inquire was yesterday, the next best time is today.

As needed; as little as 4 hours per week for some clients, all the way up to 24 hours per week.

It's different everywhere! My approach is adaptable as it needs to be. Some companies have project teams and managing subcommittees who will need to meet and delegate. I'm happy to join a subcommittee or present to the project team or program manager or customer. In other settings I am shoulder to shoulder with technicians, operators and engineers. 

And, just as easily, I can make a TED talk and present in the C-Suite or (my favorite) send a 2-minute memo to a plant manager highlighting the week's achievements. 

Hire an engineer! 

But if you are on the fence about an additional experienced full time industrial engineer at [you name your fair salary] plus benefits, consider this opportunity: Experienced part-time industrial engineer at only a fraction.*

And if you are on.... the other end of the fence, maybe you're instead wondering if you should risk it all on the upstart local guy or play it safe with the half-million dollar consulting firm. 

They've got the most incredible PowerPoint templates and $400 shoes, and their shirts are tucked in, and they flew in Sunday night and you will arrange car service for them. 

Mostly the same can all be said for me, except for all the things.. with... the stuff... so, yep.

Anyways, come Monday morning, we will be standing on the same production floor, looking at the same manufacturing complications. We will come to the same conclusions and will provide comparable action plans to improve the deficiencies and right the wrongs. 

Not the least significant difference is this: I'm willing to back it up and double down to help do what's next, whereas other outfits may contractually make a list of recommendations and disappear. 👻

The script has flipped!

New Question:

Should you really risk it all on the half-million dollar consulting firm or play it safe with the upstart local guy?

My Free Production Analysis might help you decide

*As a 1099 independent consultant I offer the following savings vs a full time, benefitted employee on the company payroll. 

1. No company expense for PTO / Vacation / sick days 🤧

2. No company expense related to extended leave coverage, etc. 

3. No company expense for dental, vision, health or life insurance coverage

4. No 401(k) administration or matching

5. Fewer billed hours per week (but a pledge to continue to provide world class contributions during my billed time)

6. And, of course, the tens of thousands in savings and increased revenue from successful projects. 

When I moved to Ohio, I studied under an Industrial Engineer who held the same, unchanging role for 40 years. That has stuck with me as a realization: I think there's a real difference between forty years of experience and one year repeated forty times. This observation shaped my approach to manufacturing excellence.

My journey now spans seven distinct manufacturing environments over 10+ years, each presenting unique challenges and constraints. From supporting the manufacture of industrial mixers the size of a bus, to standardizing and visualizing the soldering and conformal coat acceptance criteria for microscopic medical PCB assemblies, each role demanded fresh thinking and innovative solutions. The commonality? Success wasn't from applying generic "Lean Guru" templates, but from reading and addressing each situation's unique dynamics.

Probably the most meaningful transformative life experience wasn't in manufacturing at all - it was homeschooling my three children for four years (2017-2021). This delightful detour enhanced my abilities as both teacher and coach, helpful skills in manufacturing consulting.

Since launching my independent consulting practice in 2023, I've proven that adaptability drives results. What began as a one-month contract evolved into an ongoing partnership where I've begun to gain seniority - testament to the value of fresh perspectives and a breadth of experiences.

Agghhhh, so many people are always asking me about my favorite quotes! You guys are so random! 

Okay, okay, here's a handful of quotes. Got another gem to add? Share it with me.

"...excellence overcomes obstacles." 

• Roscoe C. Brown Jr., Tuskegee airman 

"It's not enough to do your best. You must know what to do, and then do your best."

• W. Edwards Deming

"We are doomed to failure without a daily destruction of our various preconceptions."

• Taiichi Ohno

"Fix what bugs you."

• Paul Akers

Some people say, "Give the customers what they want." But that's not my approach. Our job is to figure out what they're going to want before they do. I think Henry Ford once said, "If I'd asked customers what they wanted, they would have told me, 'A faster horse!'" People don't know what they want until you show it to them. That's why I never rely on market research. Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page.

• Steve Jobs

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 7, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to our Manufacturing Efficiency Platform ("we," "our," or "us"). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you interact with our Facebook form advertisements and our website.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you voluntarily provide through our Facebook form advertisements, including:

- Name

- Contact information (such as email address and phone number)

- Job title and professional information

- Any additional information you choose to provide

3. How We Collect Information

We primarily collect information through:

- Facebook Lead Generation Forms

- Direct interactions with our website

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for:

- Responding to your inquiries about our manufacturing efficiency solutions

- Sending relevant marketing communications about our services

- Improving our website and services

- Analyzing and optimizing our advertising campaigns

- Complying with legal obligations

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with:

- Our service providers and business partners who assist in operating our website and services

- Facebook and other advertising partners for campaign optimization

- Legal authorities when required by law or to protect our rights

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

- Access your personal information

- Correct inaccurate information

- Request deletion of your information

- Opt-out of marketing communications

- Lodge a complaint with relevant data protection authorities

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

mitchell.k.robinson@outlook.com

13. Facebook Data Collection

When you interact with our Facebook advertisements and forms:

- Facebook may collect additional information according to their Privacy Policy

- You are subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

- You can manage your Facebook advertising preferences through your Facebook settings

By providing your information through our Facebook forms or website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.