Blog

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Why I Stopped Calling It “Just Marketing”

For years, I described myself as a marketer and later as a fractional CMO because…

railroad warning lights

Signals Over Personas: How B2B Companies Actually Identify the Right Customers

This came out of a conversation with Matt Hall about signals: the indicators that tell…

neon retro rotary phone

Sales Can’t Do It Alone and That Expectation is Where the Problem Lies

There is still a deeply held belief in many B2B and manufacturing organizations that if…

man with face covered by hat and hand

The Future of B2B Marketing: If You’re Not the Answer, You’re Invisible

For years, manufacturers and B2B companies focused heavily on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) because being…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: The Hidden Profit Killer in Manufacturing

The Hidden Profit Killer in Manufacturing

“That’s how we’ve always done it” doesn’t just slow innovation, it quietly erodes margin, weakens…

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There; And Doing It Again Won’t Save You

Manufacturers don’t struggle because they lack effort. They struggle because they keep applying yesterday’s logic…

Scrabble tiles spelling out Try Baby Steps

Two Phrases That Help You Push Through the Hardest Moments

Entrepreneurship, leadership, and growth are often glamorized in ways that ignore the emotional reality behind…

three hands putting three eggs in three baskets to show diversification

Diversification of AI Tools: Strategy, Not Sprawl

This is the third and final part of my AI supply chain risk newsletter series….

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Three Types of Supply Chain Risk Applied to AI

Last week, I wrote about AI supply chains and risk. I planned for this week…

AI supply chain

Anthropic, OpenAI, and the New Supply Chain Risk No One in Manufacturing Is Talking About

Everyone is talking about AI. Very few are talking about AI supply chains. And that’s…

hands cupped around four-leaf clover plant

Luck Is Not a Strategy

With Saint Patrick’s Day still visible in the rearview mirror – and corned beef, sauerkraut,…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Uncovering Hidden Telecom Costs

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Uncovering Hidden Costs in Telecom

Manufacturers scrutinize material costs, labor efficiency, scrap rates, and machine uptime. But one expense category…

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The Polycrisis Is Here, And Manufacturing Is at the Center of It

You’ve probably heard the word crisis more times in the last five years than in…

jet fighters above the clouds

Why Many Machine Shops Don’t Chase Aerospace Work

For decades, aerospace has been positioned as the pinnacle of manufacturing success due to tight…

chart of the K-shaped curve

The K-Curve Is Splitting Manufacturing. Which Side Are You On?

In every economic disruption, businesses don’t move together. They split. Some accelerate. Some stall. That…

generalist brain and specialist brain with AI as the intersection

The Rise of the Generalist in the Age of AI

There was a time when the highest-value professional in any organization was the specialist. The…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Strategic Planning in Just 5 Steps

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Strategic Planning in Just 5 Easy Steps

Join us online to crack the code of strategic planning and boost your efficiency like…

phoenix

Building a Consulting Business Is a Hero’s Journey

Starting and growing a consulting business doesn’t look heroic from the outside. It looks messy….

Women in Manufacturing Lunch and Learn with The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series on the topic Don't Retreat,, Advance!

Don’t Retreat, Advance! Lunch and Learn for Women in Manufacturing

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series delivered a lunch and learn on Feb. 12, 2026, to…

manufacturing plant emissions

AI’s Hidden Environmental Cost, And Why It Changed How I Use It

Artificial intelligence has transformed how we work, write, and solve problems. As someone who’s used…

webinar "Accelerate Sales Cycles without Burning Out Your Team

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: How to Accelerate Sales Cycles Without Burning Out Your Team

In our 15th webinar, Gina Tabasso of Barracuda B2B discusses how alignment of sales, marketing…

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The Hidden Marketing Waste in Most Shops (and How to Fix It)

Most manufacturers I work with aren’t anti-marketing. They’re skeptical of it. And honestly? I get…

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Why Most Manufacturing Startups Stall After $3-5M, and How to Scale Past It

I’ve worked with manufacturing startups that couldn’t wait to hit their first million, and others…

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Most Manufacturers Don’t Have a Sales Problem; They Have a Visibility Problem

I hear this all the time from manufacturers: After many years working in and with…

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One Team, One Goal: Aligning Sales, Marketing & Operations to Drive Revenue

In Episode 16 of The Throughput Manufacturing Show, host Josh McCain welcomes Gina Tabasso, Founder…

Black sign against blue sky and puffy clouds saying Be Authentic

Authenticity Is My Thing. Vulnerability Is the Superpower No One Taught Us to Use.

For most of my career in manufacturing and B2B, I was taught, directly and indirectly,…

messy linen closet being cleaned out

What Cleaning Out a Linen Closet Taught Me About Growth Strategy

I’m back from my two weeks of R&R during the holidays. Did you miss me?…

two people standing in front of a value stream map

AI Isn’t the Problem. Misalignment Is. How Manufacturers Can Scale with AI Without Breaking What Works

Many mid-size manufacturers are stuck between legacy systems and the promise of AI-driven automation. The…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Getting to the Bottom of Merchant Service Fees

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Getting to the Bottom of Merchant Service Fees

In our 14th webinar, Rich Bello of Schooley-Mitchell breaks down all the hidden fees when…

sticks of old dynamite

When Old Flares Become Dynamite: A Family Story with Business Lessons

Last week, my family experienced one of those nights you don’t plan for, can’t anticipate,…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Succession Planning for Business Continuity

Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Succession Planning for Business Continuity

In our 13th webinar, Matt Wizeman of Focal Point Coaching breaks down why every manufacturer…

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Keeping Your Humanity in a Digital Crowd: How to Resist Deindividuation on Social Media

Dear Friends, Since I manage social media for a living and since my experience with…

CRM

The Real Cost of Not Having a CRM

Are you still using an Excel spreadsheet to track sales? Most manufacturers think a CRM…

customer service, customer support, customer success

How Process Improvement Strengthens the Customer Experience

When most people hear Lean Six Sigma, they think of production floors, takt time, and…

Lean Six Sigma illustration

Why Lean Six Sigma Is a Strategic Imperative for Manufacturers

In manufacturing, success has always depended on precision, not just in machining or assembly, but…

Reshoring

Reshore and Rebuild: Why the Next 5 Years Will Define Manufacturing’s Future

If the last few years have taught manufacturers anything, it’s that global supply chains are…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: How AI is Revolutionizing Manufacturing

Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: How AI is Revolutionizing Manufacturing

It’s our 1-year anniversary of starting this series and the 12th webinar we’ve offered. In…

pot of homemade borscht

Lessons in Manufacturing from My Ukrainian Kitchen

My Great-Grandmother came to the U.S. from Ukraine just after 1900. She brought little with…

deer eating apples

Lessons in Advocacy: What My Mom’s Recent Fall Taught Me About Business

Last Tuesday night, my mom decided to do something she loves: feed apples to the…

Lean Six Sigma DMAIC

Why Manufacturers Need a Lean CMO Not Another Marketer

Lately, I’ve met a lot of marketers who claim to “specialize in manufacturing.” They talk…

Concrete pads for equipment in manufacturing facility

What should a  $50M or smaller manufacturer expect in their first year of implementing a foundational marketing program? 

This is a great and nuanced question. In my experience working with manufacturing clients, especially…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Getting a Hold on Your Facility Supplies Expenses

Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Getting a Hold on Your Facility Supplies Expenses

The 11th in The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series where Rich Bello of Schooley Mitchell gives…

partnership

Scaling Startups through Strategic Partnerships

There’s something deeply satisfying about helping people bring their ideas to life by turning passion…

Someone cutting the letters IM from the word IMPOSSIBLE to create POSSIBLE

From Paychecks to Possibilities: My Entrepreneurial Journey

Over the past year or so, I’ve met so many of you who are on…

FABTECH logo

Lessons and Connections from FABTECH Chicago

This week, I had the opportunity to attend FABTECH in Chicago with my business partner…

pizza shop T-shirt Don't be a Bully

Cyber Bullying, Defamation, and the Hidden Dangers of Bogus Reviews

TRIGGER WARNING: This is a very personal, true story that happened to me last week…

Humac.ai solution bolted onto CNC machines

Transforming CNC Shop Floors with AI

My business partner, Sarang Kamalakar of Humac.ai, is coming to the United States this weekend…

What is your why? Man standing on mountain in fog.

What is My Why?

Leaders in manufacturing often get asked about their “why.” Why do we do what we…

First year in business crossroads sign

My First Year in Business:

What I’ve Learned, Built, and Accomplished When I took the leap to go full time…

farm with grain silos

Breaking Down Silos: Sales & Marketing in Lockstep

One of the most common challenges I see in manufacturing organizations is the great divide…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: What determines the value of your business

Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: What Makes A Company Valuable

When it comes to building or selling a manufacturing business, “value” is more than just…

Training

Courses and Training That Move the Dial

In today’s hyper-competitive market, it’s not the biggest fish that survives; it’s the one that…

AI Visibility Tools

What Are AI-Era Visibility Tools, and Why Do They Matter?

Last week we discussed SEO versus GEO, and what that means for businesses. I promised…

Gina Tabasso presents two sessions at Throughput Manufacturing Summit

Tabasso Presenting at Throughput Manufacturing Summit

The Throughput Manufacturing Summit was set for August 8, 15, and 22, 2025, and offered…

artificial intelligence robot thinking

Why SEO is Shifting to GEO and What It Means for Businesses

I didn’t start in strategy. I didn’t start in SEO. I started in content with…

command and control center desk with staff

From Command and Control to Service and Purpose

There’s a shift happening in manufacturing; and it’s long overdue. For decades, the industry has…

The Manufacturer's Efficiency Webinar Series: Save Money to Make Money

The Manufacturer’s Efficiency Webinar Series: Save Money to Make Money

Hot off the presses, the latest installment of The Manufacturer’s Efficiency Webinar Series: Save Money…

value

When Experience Isn’t Enough: What 35 Years in Manufacturing Taught Me About Value

After more than three decades in manufacturing and B2B marketing and working in-house for 11…

supply chain disruptions

Navigating Disruption Without Losing Momentum

We’re halfway through 2025, and manufacturers are feeling the pressure from every direction. Raw materials…

smart manufacturing processes

How Artificial Intelligence Is Revolutionizing Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry is experiencing one of the most significant transformations in its history thanks…

sick dog in bed

Down, But Not Out: Lessons from the Lungs

This week and last week, I was forced to hit pause. The culprit? Pneumonia. It…

a room in a house full of belongings that were manufactured

Why I Love Manufacturing

If we’re ever in a room together, don’t be surprised if I start pointing at…

rearing racehorse playing with another horse

From the Racetrack to the Boardroom: What a Horse’s Gaits Can Teach Us About Business Growth

Those who know me know I had a racehorse for 24 years. He was a…

scope creep

Stop Scope Creep Before It Starts

In the world of manufacturing, we live by project charters, standard work, and the voice…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Employee Retention Solutions for Manufacturing Leaders

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Addressing Employee Turnover and Employee Retention Solutions for Manufacturing Leaders

Employee turnover remains a pressing challenge for manufacturers and impacts productivity, morale, and profitability. The…

Growth Mindset

You Can’t Afford NOT to Grow

Every so often, I hear: “We’d love to work with you, but we can’t afford…

An entrepreneur's home office

Start Smart: Free Resources Every Entrepreneur and Small Business Should Know About

Starting a business is thrilling—but let’s be honest—it can also feel scary. When I launched…

The Manufacturing Culture Podcast with Jim Mayer

Culture. Communication. Overcome the Disconnect.

Join me in this The Manufacturing C podcast with Jim Mayer where he says, “One…

sushi rolls

Why Hiring a Growth Strategist, Operations Strategist, and Marketing Leader Rolled Into One Person is a No-Brainer for Smaller Companies and Funded Startups

In today’s economic climate, every dollar matters. Small- to mid-sized companies are being squeezed from…

types of resources

What Manufacturers Are Really Missing

We’ve worked with manufacturers across industries — machining, fabrication, packaging, chemicals, and beyond — and…

Qualified Leads

How Do I Generate More Qualified Leads?

It’s the #1 question I get from manufacturers, distributors, and industrial companies. “How do we…

Why You Can't Afford to go Quiet Right Now

Why You Can’t Afford to Go Quiet Right Now

Dear Manufacturing Leaders, Economic downturns. Supply chain disruption. Rising costs. It feels like everything is…

What Digital Marketing Agencies Don't Teach You About SEO

What Digital Marketing Agencies Don’t Teach You About SEO

Tips and tricks for deep, lasting, impactful, comprehensive organic SEO that digital marketing agencies don’t…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: How to Lean Six Sigma Your Marketing

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: How to Lean Six Sigma Your Marketing

This is the seventh in The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series from April 2025 with Matt…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Dumpster Diving Finding Savings in Your Waste Expenses

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Dumpster Diving — Find Savings in Waste Expenses

This is the sixth in The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series from March 2025 with Matt…

Women Business Enterprise Certification

Barracuda B2B Marketing Receives its WBE and EDGE Certifications from the State of Ohio

We are proud to be 100% woman owned, controlled, and managed and to be recognized…

cyber security including your marketing tech stack and collateral

Manufacturing at Risk: Securing the Future of Industry

What Does Technology Mean for Manufacturing — and Why are We Failing to Protect our…

Freight trucks being loaded

Shipping and Freight Cost Reduction

You may have already read my blog where I talk about National Utilities Refund audits…

Navigating Manufacturing and Marketing with The Drop In CEO

Navigating Manufacturing and Marketing

I was a guest on Deb Coviello’s Drop In CEO podcast this month where we…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Must-Have Marketing Strategies for Manufacturers

Must-Have Marketing Strategies for Manufacturers

The fourth in a webinar series for manufacturers from Jan. 2025 with Gina Tabasso, Barracuda…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Why every manufacturing owner needs an exit strategy

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Why every manufacturing owner needs an exit strategy

This is the fifth in a webinar series for manufacturers from February 2025 with Matt…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Taking Control of Your Shipping Expenses

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Taking Control of Your Shipping Expenses

The third in a webinar series for manufacturers from Dec. 2024 with Gina Tabasso, Barracuda…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Change Management Essentials

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Change Management Essentials

The second in a webinar series for manufacturers from Nov. 2024 with Gina Tabasso, Barracuda…

The Manufacturers' Efficiency Webinar Series: Don't Retreat, Advance!

The Manufacturers’ Efficiency Webinar Series: Don’t Retreat, Advance!

The first in a webinar series for manufacturers from Oct. 2024 with Gina Tabasso, Barracuda…

save money to reinvest in the business to make money

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: 4 Additional Ways We Help Manufacturers Grow

We have an exciting announcement! In addition to marketing strategy and implementation, we’ve added four…

Why relationships matter: big sisters

Why Relationships Matter

Becoming a Big Sister Before we talk about marketing, I have a very personal story…

B2B companies need marketing

Why B2B Companies Need Marketing

Why B2B Companies Need Marketing Blog 1 in a series of 4 on Must-Have Marketing…

Must-Have Marketing Strategies for Manufacturers

I gave this presentation at an annual marketing conference that included attendees from all industries….

Barracuda fish

Fun Facts About Barracuda (us and the fish)

Why a barracuda you might ask? Well, it’s a nickname give to Gina by one…

Barracuda B2B Marketing sell sheet page 1

Barracuda B2B Marketing sell sheet

marketing funnel buyer journey

Five tips on how to optimize the marketing journey — awareness, consideration, conversion, loyalty, and advocacy

Tip 1: Know Your Target Audience to Create Awareness The first stage of the marketing…

buyer personas

Five tips on how to develop buyer personas for your manufacturing business and use them to improve lead generation and nurturing

Tip 1: Conduct Research to Understand Your Target Audience To develop buyer personas, you need…

SCORE Mentorship helps Barracuda B2B form its business plan and financials

How score mentorship helped me start my business

Check out the interview I did with SCORE about my experience working with a no-cost…

SWOT analysis

Five tips on how to conduct a SWOT analysis and use the results to create a marketing strategy

Tip 1: Define Your Objectives Before conducting a SWOT analysis, it’s essential to define your…

Lean Six Sigma DMAIC for marketing

How manufacturing process improvement strategies apply to marketing

Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that aims to improve processes, eliminate waste, and increase…

branding for manufacturing companies

Five marketing tips that a manufacturing company can use to position itself

Tip 1: Highlight Your Unique Selling Points To position your manufacturing company effectively, identify and…

Graphic depicting Business Growth with rising arrows.

Not right now, but maybe later

Sustainable growth strategies are more important than lead generation for this machine manufacturer….