Matthew Kirchner Columnist

Matt Kirchner [pronounced “Kirkner”], an international speaker on topics of interest to business people, is President of Profit360, LLC, a Midwest provider of management advisory services to manufacturing, retail and service companies. Most recently, Kirchner served as the Chief Executive of American Finishing Resources, LLC (AFR). With facilities in Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana; and a transportation footprint encompassing twelve states, AFR is the largest provider of Industrial Coatings Removal and Paint Fixture and Hanger Design and Fabrication in the North America. In 2014 Kirchner and his private equity investment partner completed the sale of AFR to DuBois Chemicals. Thereafter he served as the President of AFR, an operating unit of DuBois Chemicals. Contact him at mkirchner@profit-360.com

One More Call: The Compounding Value of Going the Extra Quarter Mile

One man’s story of turning tenacity into eventual financial success provides a powerful lesson in discipline, persistence and the magic of compounding.

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Reflections From the Shop, 25 Years After 9/11

Matt Kirchner shares a personal story of business, fate and tragedy on a day that continues to shape the lives of millions of Americans. 

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Automation

There is No Future for AI Without Industrial AI

Physical AI, the manifestation of artificially intelligent systems in physical assets, starts at the line and the time for manufacturers to act is now.

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In the Age of AI, Manufacturers Won’t Need Engineers. Or Will They?

AI is rapidly reshaping manufacturing, and it will be the engineers who embrace and leverage AI tools that will rise in value.

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The Best Advice My Father (N)ever Gave Me

Matt Kirchner reflects on Father’s Day, on lasting advice his father gave him, albeit unknowingly, and on what manufacturers can learn from it.

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Manufacturers Who Win in the Age of AI Will Be Those Who Think Like Startups

Adopting a startup mindset has become an essential part of innovating, surviving and thriving in this new era of AI.

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Embracing the Suck: Do You and Your Team Have What it Takes to Suffer?

The difference between athletics and business may not be not as vast as it seems — after all, both carry out lessons both important and necessary to building grit, enduring crises and, if you’re lucky, coming out on top.

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Pursuing the Way of the Polymath

To excel in the current world of manufacturing, to achieve breakthroughs, attain innovation and succeed, mimicking the attributes of the polymath must become a key strategy for the modern business leader.

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Basics

Relearning Common Courtesies in the Workplace

As new members are phased in to the workforce, gentle but firm reminders about workplace etiquette and what is considered respectful behavior can go a long way. 

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Gracious Executives, Rude Ones and Networking Friday

When you encounter people in career transition, always try to find a way to help — no matter how much you have going on at the time.

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What Abilities Do You Assume Your Teammates Have That They May Not?

Are you becoming frustrated with colleagues and team members over tasks that may seem “obvious?” It might be worth taking a step back and shifting your mindset.

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What’s Your Manufacturing Lore?

If your company could speak for itself, what stories would it tell?

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