Oct 15, 2025
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter.
Now, let’s jump in!
If you want to change your results, you need to change your approach.
In this episode, Maggie Harlow, co-owner of Signarama Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, problem-solving, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
Drawing from her experience in custom sign manufacturing, Maggie explains what it really takes to balance quality, speed, and culture in a high-mix, low-volume environment. You’ll hear practical strategies for improving communication skills, building trust, and leading with curiosity — while maintaining accountability and performance on the shop floor.
3:06 – In high-stress environments, creativity and craftsmanship
keep people engaged
6:08 – It is important to have communications between all
departments
7:00 – When systemic issues occur, remember that it may be a focus
issue, not a people problem
8:14 – Quality is the most important thing
9:17 – As a leader, if you want something to improve or change, you
need to bring it to your team’s attention
10:28 – When leadership is present on the shop floor, it shifts
perception
11:41 – To get sales and production to truly collaborate, you may
need a cultural shift
13:09 – To find healthy balances between departments, have honest
conversations
14:35 – Focus on ownership, not blame
15:26 – When breakdowns occur, it’s often because team members
don’t understand each other’s realities
17:44 – Give your team space to try, fail, and grow within safe
boundaries
20:00 – For honest problem-solving, assume everyone is doing their
best
Connect with Maggie Harlow
Find her on LinkedIn
Visit her speaking
website
Learn more about Signarama
Downtown