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Buy the Numbers

Mike Payne
Manufacturing
CLA
Grants For Manufacturing
Automation
Manufacturing Industry
Equipment Financing
Kpis
Lakeview Consulting
Economic Development
Mick Vandeloo
Family-Owned Business
Succession Planning
Section 179
Cash Flow
Cash Flow Management
Family Business
Mergers and Acquisitions
Illinois
Covid-19
IMTS

A deep dive into the financials of running a Manufacturing business.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes59Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ManagementBusiness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Buy the Numbers

Latest Episodes

What good is a record quarter if you can't make payroll? It's an uncomfortable question, especially when your shop is busy, your margins are healthy, and your financial statements say you're making money. But you've already paid for the material, cov... more

Defense manufacturing is supposed to be a massive opportunity for American machine shops. The government needs more domestic suppliers, existing weapons systems need replacement parts, and emerging defense companies are looking for manufacturers who ... more

Nobody outworks me. If that's part of how you see yourself, this episode is going to sting a little. Greg Harrod's spent 30 plus years in and around manufacturing, and he coaches leaders who feel like everything still runs through them. His point is ... more

Replacing an employee can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000. But the real risk isn't just recruiting and training their replacement. It's everything that walks out the door with them.

Jess Bird supports CAM software across the Midwest and hosts... more

Key Facts

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Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Andy Wiegand
Peninsula Capital investor working with small manufacturing companies.
Peninsula Capital
Episode: Profitable but Broke? Why Your Shop Needs a 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast | Ep. 58
Lana Smith
Owner of The Oakley Office
The Oakley Office
Episode: Is Defense Work Worth It? The Hidden Costs + Untapped Opportunities for Machine Shops | Ep. 57
Jess Bird
Software sales for GibbsCAM reseller; runs Midwest Cam Solutions; founder of CNC Underground
Midwest Cam Solutions / CNC Underground
Episode: What Tribal Knowledge Is Actually Costing Your Shop | Ep. 55
Abby Mataya
Leader, state and local business incentives team
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)
Episode: The $3,500 Apprentice Incentive: How to Claim Your Share of a $35.8 Million Fund | Ep. 53
Jon Hughes
CFO/Consultant; CLA
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)
Episode: Why You're Never too Small for an ERP, Ep. 52
Brian Schoonover
Corporate Controller / Acting CFO
Turfco
Episode: Why You're Never too Small for an ERP, Ep. 52
Brendon Forrest
Director of Accounts at Gorilla 76, Industrial Marketing Agency
Gorilla 76
Episode: The 9 Numbers That Tell You If Your Marketing Is Working | Ep. 51
Heather Parbst
Leader of the Owner Transition Advisory team at CLA
CLA
Episode: The Owner Bottleneck: How Getting Out of the Way Can Double Your Shop's Value, Ep #50
Nush Ahmed
Sisterhood of Trades
Episode: Women, Purpose, and Pay: The Honest Conversation Manufacturing Needs to Have, Ep #48

Host

Mike
Host of Buy the Numbers

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 54 ratings
  • Focused on serving listeners with practical insights and tips based on real world experience

    I’ve been a listener to Making Chips and Buy the Numbers for a while and always enjoy the natural conversations Mike and the other hosts have with their guests.

    Now I’ve had the privilege of being a guest on the show and appreciate Mike and his team even more.

    Mike keeps the content focused on what will serve his listeners the most and engages in a two-way discussion which I enjoy as a listener and as a guest.

    If you want to improve as a leader in your business, I highly recommend the show.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Greg Harrod
    United States2 months ago
  • Great idea for a podcast!

    I’m surprised that in 2024 this is the first time that we’ve seen a podcast dedicated to talking about manufacturing and the numbers. I’m really excited that Mike decided to start this show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ToolingGuy
    United States2 years ago
  • Mike is so approachable!

    Lots of guys who do what Mike does can be self-absorbed, trying to pontificate with every story they tell.

    Mike is different. He is all about his guests and his audience and that’s why I love to learn from him!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nikodinho
    United States2 years ago
  • Insightful and Entertaining

    This content is a must-listen for anyone in the industry or looking to learn more about entrepreneurship in manufacturing. Keep up the amazing work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TonyG101
    United States2 years ago
  • Must-Listen for Manufacturing Leaders

    We are one episode in and Mike and Greg dropped some amazing and immediately usable insight in this episode—practical ways you can take your machine data and immediately use it to impact your bottom line. Subscribed and ready for episode 2!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jen Dubose
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience appreciates approachable host style and practical frameworks over abstract concepts.
Guests bring real-world experience, not just theory, making topics feel applicable to mid-market manufacturers.
Clear, practitioner-focused guidance that translates complex financials into actionable shop-floor steps.
Strong emphasis on ROI, incentives, and ERP/tech adoption resonates with leadership teams seeking measurable results.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#216
Ireland/Business/Management

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Profitable but Broke? Why Your Shop Needs a 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast | Ep. 58
Q: For someone who has never done a 13-week cash flow, where would you recommend starting?
Wiegand recommends starting with how shipments and revenue convert into cash, using payment terms and collection history to estimate incoming funds.
Profitable but Broke? Why Your Shop Needs a 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast | Ep. 58
Q: What should business owners pay attention to, and how can they start forecasting cash flow?
Wiegand recommends a rolling 13-week forecast focused first on customer collections, vendor payments, and payroll, with other cash obligations added as needed.
Is Defense Work Worth It? The Hidden Costs + Untapped Opportunities for Machine Shops | Ep. 57
Q: How do you determine whether a shop is ready to enter the defense space, and what indicators would you use?
The readiness hinges on executive buy-in, a clear plan to meet compliance (ITAR/CMMC, etc.), and an understanding of demand and certification timelines. Without full leadership support and a concrete path, the venture is unlikely to succeed.
Legacy, Liquidity, and the Long Game: What Really Happens After the LOI (Part II), Ep #25
Q: What in the world is a sales price allocation?
It's the tax-based breakdown of the purchase price between assets, goodwill, and other components; the allocation should be agreed in the purchase agreement before closing to avoid unfavorable tax consequences for the seller.
The One Big Beautiful Bill: What Manufacturers Need to Know Now, #23
Q: What is the immediate impact of bonus depreciation and how should manufacturers think about timing purchases?
Bonus depreciation is currently 100% for qualifying property from 1-1-25, with retroactive application, so manufacturers should consider accelerating equipment purchases if they have immediate need, but not buy just for the deduction—must be business-justified.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Buy the Numbers

What is Buy the Numbers about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show concentrates on the financial and operational realities of running a manufacturing business, with a strong emphasis on measuring performance, improving profitability, and scaling through systematized processes. Episodes regularly cover topics like ERP adoption, ROI of automation, tax incentives, and leadership develop­ment, often featuring practitioners from accounting, manufacturing, and technology providers who share practical, numbers-driven guidance. A notable strength is the blend of hands-on shop-floor anecdotes with concrete frameworks (KPIs, ROI models, cost of quality, and incentive programs), making complex topics approachable for owners, operators, and managers. The show frequently highlights real-world case studies, pa... more

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How many episodes of Buy the Numbers are there?

Buy the Numbers launched 2 years ago and published 59 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Buy the Numbers?

Recent guests on Buy the Numbers include:

1. Andy Wiegand
2. Lana Smith
3. Jess Bird
4. Abby Mataya
5. Jon Hughes
6. Brian Schoonover
7. Brendon Forrest
8. Heather Parbst

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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