Happy Saturday!

Welcome to the Leadership in Manufacturing Newsletter, trusted by over 2,400 professionals in the electronics manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution industries.

The Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast delivers practical, no-fluff leadership insights from real industry experts. Each episode features actionable strategies and honest conversations to help you grow your leadership skills and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

This is your go-to resource for building confidence, leading with impact, and staying future-ready.

Start your leadership journey today.

Ready to level up? Start with 3 key insights, 2 powerful quotes, 1 practical tip, and 1 challenge to stretch your thinking.

This week’s episode focuses on how marketing becomes a strategic growth engine — especially in technical, B2B manufacturing environments.

🔍 Three Insights on Marketing-Driven Leadership

I. Marketing Is Most Powerful When It Serves the Business

Marketing that aligns with sales, engineering, and customer needs becomes a true growth lever. It’s not about campaigns, it’s about opening doors and solving real problems.

II. Cross-Functional Success Starts with Anticipation

Great marketing leaders think like internal consultants. Understanding what each department needs, from trade shows to brochures, helps align timelines, improve execution, and build trust.

III. Storytelling Should Be Real, Not Polished

The most compelling content doesn’t come from your pitch deck, it comes from customers. Real stories told in their own words show value, build credibility, and drive connection.

💬 Two Quotes to Reflect On

“If you treat marketing as a support function, that’s all it will ever be. When you align it to business goals, it becomes essential.”

– Jacob Baldwin, Director of Corporate Marketing, UNITED GRINDING North America

“You don’t just tell your story — you help your customer tell theirs. That’s when marketing starts to matter.”

– Jacob Baldwin, Director of Corporate Marketing, UNITED GRINDING North America

✅ One Actionable Tip For You

Host a Postmortem After Your Next Campaign

Ask: What should we start doing, stop doing, and keep doing? This simple structure helps teams reflect honestly and iterate with intention.

❓One Challenge For You

Reposition Marketing as a Strategic Function

In your next team meeting, share a recent marketing win — but frame it by the business result it drove (leads closed, sales supported, process improved). Help others see the real value.

Leadership is a journey—not a destination.

Marketing is leadership when it builds alignment, earns trust, and drives growth.

Thanks for being part of the community. Stay curious. Stay focused. Keep leading forward.

Take me to Episode 120

If there’s a topic you’d love to hear more about or a voice you think we should feature, I’d love to hear from you. Just reach out—I’m always open to fresh ideas.

I’m truly grateful to have you as part of the Leadership in Manufacturing community.

Until next time—keep learning, keep leading, and keep driving change where it matters most.

Sannah

Sannah Vinding Producer & Host, Leadership In Manufacturing Podcast  leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/

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