Will Sampson talks about how hard it is to buck the status quo for real change. His guest is Bobby Miller, a woodshop teacher at Coon Rapids High School in Minnesota. He talks about some of the innovative social media methods he uses to engage his woodshop students and how educators could do a better job of connecting with industry to help plug the skills gap.
This episode of the Woodworking Network podcast was sponsored by FDMC magazine. FDMC magazine is your vital source of information to improve your woodworking business. Whether it is keeping you apprised of the latest advances in manufacturing, helping you solve your wood technology problems with Gene Wengert, or inspiring you with case histories about successful businesses and best practices, FDMC magazine is there to be the sharpest business tool in your shop. Learn more and subscribe for free at woodworkingnetwork.com/fdmc.
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Intro music courtesy of Anthony Monson.
Welcome to this episode of the Woodworking Network Podcast. Join us as we explore the business of woodworking big and small and what it takes to succeed. I’m Will Sampson.
Today’s episode is sponsored by FDMC magazine and was recorded live at the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta. My guest is Bobby Miller, a woodshop teacher at Coon Rapids High School in Minnesota and the host of a number of social media channels under the umbrella of Mr. Miller’s Woodshop. We will be talking about trends in woodworking education and some of the innovative ways he uses to connect with students. But first I want to talk about:
No time for old ways
Probably the biggest barrier to productive change is inertia. It’s the knee-jerk response to any sort of proposed change, “We don’t do it that way.”
Notice that such a response has nothing to do with arguing against the change on its merits. It carries the strong assumption that the status quo is inherently superior to any form of change. Improvements don’t have much of a chance in that world.
But the real world is crying out for change.
Let’s take just one area — the need for skilled labor in the woodworking industry. I don’t think I have ever encountered a business that said they have plenty of help and an endless supply of well-trained potential employees. So, clearly the status quo is not working. But part of the deadly status quo argument is also a stubborn aversion to admitting that we, ourselves, might be part of the problem. It’s always someone else’s fault or at least someone else’s responsibility to fix it. At the very least there’s an assumption that the problem is too big for any one individual or business to solve, so why try anything?
No wonder we have made so little progress!
If the big wide world isn’t magically providing the help you need, maybe you should take at least some small steps yourself. Start with how you are looking for employees. Are just putting a help wanted sign on the front door? Advertising in the same outlets you always use with little result? Maybe you’ve dabbled in some online tools like Craig’s List, Indeed, or LinkedIn, still to little effect.
It’s time to try something completely different. Have you personally reached out to high school and community college woodworking programs in your area? Maybe you would be better off hiring someone with no woodworking experience. Have you talked to high school counselors in your area? Have you put the word out in your own social circles that you are looking for help? Maybe your neighbor’s kids are candidates. Or perhaps one of your friends’ friends knows someone responsible and trainable looking for work.
The potential list of networking ideas is endless. But none of them are likely what you’ve “always done.” Most shops don’t even want to invest in their own in-house training program. They want to hire pre-trained individuals, and they give up on filling a slot if they can’t find them. They often argue that training is a wasted investment because the trained worker will go elsewhere.
Let’s just call it like it is. Too many of us are too lazy to try to make a difference. Complaining is usually easier than acting, but it rarely brings any better results. Think about it. What can you do today to make a difference, no matter how small? Progress comes sometimes slowly, one step at a time. But that’s still a step in the right direction.
Before we get to our interview with Bobby Miller, let’s pause for a word from our sponsor.
FDMC magazine is your vital source of information to improve your woodworking business. Whether it is keeping you apprised of the latest advances in manufacturing, helping you solve your wood technology problems with Gene Wengert, or inspiring you with case histories about successful businesses and best practices, FDMC magazine is there to be the sharpest business tool in your shop. Learn more and subscribe for free at woodworkingnetwork.com/fdmc.
Now, let’s talk with Bobby Miller.