In manufacturing, people are always talking about innovation. But very often, the focus on automation, robotics, and AI leaves out the real key to performance and progress.
The frontline workers who make everything run.
For decades, the frontline workforce has been managed like machinery: interchangeable, replaceable, and measured only in hours worked or units produced.
But if you’ve ever walked a plant floor, you know the truth: one great employee can change the entire rhythm of production. The right people aren’t just cogs in a process; they are the process.
The challenge is that most systems don’t make it easy to see or support them. Supervisors are promoted for technical skill, not leadership ability. HR teams are buried in compliance. And the best workers often go unnoticed, until they leave.
What if we could bring clarity, accountability, and real-time recognition to the people driving performance on the floor?
That’s the question Mike White set out to answer when he founded Secchi.io, a platform designed to make invisible work visible.
What mistakes do companies make with their frontline talent?
In this episode, we talk about what most manufacturers miss when it comes to frontline performance, how recognition can transform daily operations, and why clarity, not control, is the foundation of effective leadership on the floor.
We also explore what’s next for American manufacturing and how focusing on the human element might be the key to unlocking the next wave of productivity and retention.
Guest Bio
Mike White is a speaker, thought leader, subject matter expert, and the founder and CEO of Secchi. Mike is passionate about revolutionizing how companies manage their frontline teams. With a focus on streamlining operations and fostering deeper human connections, his mission is to help businesses optimize team performance while minimizing paperwork. By leveraging technology and actionable insights, Mike enables companies in food and beverage, grocery, and manufacturing to empower their people and drive real results. As an HR Leadership and Business Partner with the responsibility of 60+ manufacturing facilities globally (including Fortune 500 brands), Mike has led a human resource team, including managers, supervisors, generalists, recruiters, trainers, coordinators, and operations managers. Every day, Mike works to ensure that Secchi delivers solutions that not only meet but exceed the expectations of their clients, providing real value and making an impact on their business. To learn more, go to https://secchi.io/, and connect with Mike on LinkedIn.Â
About Your Host
Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years of industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.
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