People, Processes, American Manufacturing

Ultimately, your culture will make or break your company’s execution.

January 30, 2025

Culture Eats Strategy, Doc McIntyre
One of my favorite business sayings is, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast."
I get this funny image in my mind of executives sitting around a boardroom table, staring proudly at a strategic plan just whiteboarded. Then a 6-foot Pac-Man bursts through the wall, munches the plan and the boardroom table, and beeps its way out of the room. But I digress.

The saying is spot on. It doesn’t matter how slick your strategy is if your culture can’t support it.


Ultimately, your culture will make or break your company’s execution.

Do your people work with enthusiasm, confidence, precision, initiative, and urgency? That’s a function of your culture.
Are your people collaborative, responsive, innovative, and open to change? That’s also a function of your culture.

If you want to improve your business, focus on improving your culture.

People, Processes, American Manufacturing

There are a lot of new faces here—on our newsletter and on LinkedIn—and I couldn’t be more fired up about what’s happening in manufacturing right now. American manufacturing is hitting its stride, and with 2025 shaping up to be a wild ride, I figured it’s the perfect time to tell the story of The Effective Syndicate and how our family of brands came to life.

When I started The Effective Syndicate, the goal was crystal clear: to help manufacturing leaders cut through the noise and solve real problems. Not with theory or fluff, but with practical tools and straight talk built on the principles of Clarity, Teamwork, Discipline, and Energy. Over time, that mission grew into something bigger, fueled by partnerships with incredible people.

One of those key partnerships was with Maxwell Thomas. When we saw a critical need in the industry for staffing that truly understands manufacturing, Max brought his expertise to the table, and together we launched Swiftemp. At Swiftemp, we don’t just fill jobs—we redefine what staffing means in the manufacturing world. Every single person on the team has been in a manufacturing facility. We know the challenges, the pace, and the demands because we’ve been part of it. That’s staffing with expertise.

But we didn’t stop there. With Swiftemp thriving, Max brought in John Rhodes, whose high-level recruiting expertise in engineering and the manufacturing world took our impact to a whole new level. Together, we launched TES Recruiting, connecting manufacturers with the specialized talent they need to lead, innovate, and thrive. From shop-floor supervisors to C-suite executives, John’s team ensures every candidate fits the culture and drives results.

Today, The Effective Syndicate and its family of brands are a powerhouse for manufacturing, solving real problems for the people who make American manufacturing what it is.

2025 is going to be a big year for all of us. Whether you’ve been following us for years or are just getting to know us, welcome to the family. Let’s keep pushing, building, and proving what’s possible for American manufacturing.

Let’s GSD (Get Sh!t Done)!

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 The Effective Syndicate is a family of brands dedicated to supporting U.S. manufacturing by addressing the industry's unique challenges:

  • The Effective Syndicate: Delivering expert consulting services in Lean Six Sigma, leadership development, and operational improvement to help manufacturing companies achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence.

  • TES Recruiting: Connecting manufacturing companies with top-tier talent, from the shop floor to the C-suite.

  • Swiftemp: Providing fast, reliable staffing solutions, specializing in temporary-to-hire roles for manufacturing and metal fabrication.

  • GSD Manager Training: Empowering managers with practical, no-nonsense training to lead confidently, enhance productivity, and build stronger teams.

Together, we help U.S. manufacturing businesses thrive. Want to learn more? Check out our website! www.tes.run