In this episode of The Value Blueprint, hosts James Grieve and Shayla McLean sit down with David Munro from the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) to unpack the latest Workforce Pulse Report and explore how manufacturers are adapting to labour shortages, global trade pressures, and shifting workforce expectations.

Discover how leading companies are using creative HR marketing, community engagement, and employee development to turn industry challenges into opportunities. From highlighting local impact and flexible career paths to investing in training and organizational culture, this conversation reveals what’s really working in today’s manufacturing landscape.

You’ll learn:

• Why companies doing good in their communities are also doing better in business.

• How creative marketing is reshaping recruitment and retention strategies.

• The growing importance of flexible work models and career development pathways.

• How employee training and organizational culture drive long-term competitiveness.

• What the latest data says about workforce stability and skilled trade shortages in Canada’s manufacturing sector.

Whether you’re a manufacturer, HR leader, or business strategist, this episode offers actionable insight on how to future-proof your workforce and strengthen your competitive edge.

Listen now to learn how your organization can transform industry pressure into performance advantage.

Keywords: manufacturing strategy, HR marketing, community engagement, workforce development, employee training, flexible work, organizational culture, skilled trades, career paths, Canada manufacturing industry, EMC, Value Driver, business growth.

Learn how to turn business strategy into execution that drives results. James Grieve and Shayla McLean talk with David Solomon, Founder of SERO Growth, about scaling effectively, aligning leadership teams, setting smart KPIs, and building long-term business value that attracts investors and fuels sustainable growth.

In this episode of The Value Blueprint, host James Grieve and Shayla McLean are joined by Clare Price, CEO of Octain Growth Systems, author of Smart Marketing Execution, and a marketing strategist helping companies stop guessing and start scaling.

Clare unpacks the biggest gaps she’s seen in how businesses approach marketing, and why building systems (not just campaigns) is the key to long-term growth and value creation. She shares how leaders can bridge the gap between strategy and execution, align sales and marketing, and understand customer motivation on a deeper level.

We also explore how AI is reshaping marketing, and how business owners can use it to personalize and add value without losing authenticity.

If you’ve ever felt your marketing wasn’t moving the needle, this episode will show you how to shift from guesswork to growth.