# Working On the Business, Not In the Business, w/ Paul van Metre

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2021-05-11
- Length: 32m
- Episode: 48
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-11-working-on-the-business-not-in-the-business-w-paul-van-metre
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-fbe44ff6-e911-4126-bf68-2be8e21bbffb

## Summary

Paul van Metre, co-founder of ProShop ERP, explains how he transitioned from running a 75-person machine shop to building software after realizing existing ERP solutions ignored the shop floor. He argues that founders must document every role to create scalable processes, allowing them to shift from working 'in' the business to 'on' the business. Van Metre highlights that this discipline is critical for employee retention, successful audits like ISO 9000, and maximizing company valuation for potential buyers. He shares a case study of a customer who increased revenue by 20% and eliminated $30,000 in annual expediting fees by adopting his integrated ERP, MES, and QMS platform.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-11-working-on-the-business-not-in-the-business-w-paul-van-metre#t=0) Introduction and Paul's Background
- [3:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-11-working-on-the-business-not-in-the-business-w-paul-van-metre#t=214) From Machine Shop to Software Founder
- [6:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-11-working-on-the-business-not-in-the-business-w-paul-van-metre#t=376) The Trap of Working In vs. On the Business
- [8:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-11-working-on-the-business-not-in-the-business-w-paul-van-metre#t=515) Documenting Processes and the Franchise Model
- [11:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-11-working-on-the-business-not-in-the-business-w-paul-van-metre#t=712) Valuation Risks and Employee Retention
- [18:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-11-working-on-the-business-not-in-the-business-w-paul-van-metre#t=1085) ProShop ERP: Solving the Shop Floor Gap
- [24:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-11-working-on-the-business-not-in-the-business-w-paul-van-metre#t=1451) Customer Success Story: 20% Revenue Increase
- [28:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-11-working-on-the-business-not-in-the-business-w-paul-van-metre#t=1730) Recruiting and Closing

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- ProShop ERP (product)
- Pro CNC (company)
- Haz VF4 (tool)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- ISO 9000 (other)
- AS 9100 (other)
- Love Your ERP (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Using Business Process as a Differentiator with Paul Van Metre](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-29-using-business-process-as-a-differentiator-with-paul-van-metre) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [195: 3 Characteristics of Machine Shops That Adopt Technology and Thrive with Paul Van Metre](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-07-23-195-3-characteristics-of-machine-shops-that-adopt-technology-and-thrive-with-pau) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [180: Made in Missouri, Live from the 2024 Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-09-180-made-in-missouri-live-from-the-2024-midwest-manufacturers-trade-show-confere) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [What Happens When Every Action Becomes A Data Point: EMS@C-Level with FermionX MD Will Patrick](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-10-29-what-happens-when-every-action-becomes-a-data-point-ems-c-level-with-fermionx-md) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [155: Down to Earth Digital Transformation Advice with Vatsal Shah](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-09-26-155-down-to-earth-digital-transformation-advice-with-vatsal-shah) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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