# How to Retain Your Manufacturing Workforce w/ Dan Johnston

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2022-04-11
- Length: 31m
- Episode: 97
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-04-11-how-to-retain-your-manufacturing-workforce-w-dan-johnston
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-9761873c-0c91-4650-8e2c-6260d326a3e0

## Summary

Dan Johnston, Co-Founder and CEO of WorkStep, explains how WorkStep’s retention management software helps manufacturers identify the true drivers of frontline turnover by analyzing real-time feedback rather than relying on C-suite opinions. He highlights that career growth is the number one driver of attrition, surpassing pay and schedule concerns, and details how high turnover costs companies between $8,000 and $50,000 per event due to hiring, training, and opportunity costs. Johnston argues that addressing these retention issues through objective, real-time listening not only stabilizes the workforce but also directly impacts top-line revenue by ensuring production capacity and delivery reliability.

## Chapters

- [1:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-04-11-how-to-retain-your-manufacturing-workforce-w-dan-johnston#t=64) Introduction: Dan Johnston and WorkStep
- [3:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-04-11-how-to-retain-your-manufacturing-workforce-w-dan-johnston#t=188) The Link Between Supply Chain Disruption and Labor Shortages
- [6:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-04-11-how-to-retain-your-manufacturing-workforce-w-dan-johnston#t=365) Drivers of the Great Resignation and Flexible Work
- [9:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-04-11-how-to-retain-your-manufacturing-workforce-w-dan-johnston#t=571) Career Growth as the Primary Driver of Turnover
- [12:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-04-11-how-to-retain-your-manufacturing-workforce-w-dan-johnston#t=761) Moving from C-Suite Opinions to Data-Driven Facts
- [15:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-04-11-how-to-retain-your-manufacturing-workforce-w-dan-johnston#t=910) Using WorkStep to Analyze Feedback and Predict Attrition
- [19:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-04-11-how-to-retain-your-manufacturing-workforce-w-dan-johnston#t=1150) Calculating the True Cost of Employee Turnover
- [24:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-04-11-how-to-retain-your-manufacturing-workforce-w-dan-johnston#t=1474) Strategies for Creating an Employer of Choice

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- WorkStep (product)
- Insta EDU (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Uber (company)
- Instacart (company)
- DoorDash (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [164: How to Cut Turnover in Half by Leveraging Data and Empowering Frontline Leaders with Mike White, Founder & President of Secchi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-19-164-how-to-cut-turnover-in-half-by-leveraging-data-and-empowering-frontline-lead) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [All Things HR and Manufacturing with TriNet’s Kristin Russum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-01-12-all-things-hr-and-manufacturing-with-trinets-kristin-russum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: 3 Takeaways from the 2020 A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-02-10-bonus-3-takeaways-from-the-2020-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [287: The Art of Precision Manufacturing: Why Humans Still Matter on the Factory Floor | Live from The Manufacturing Exchange in Rochester, NY (Powered by Fathom)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-05-12-287-the-art-of-precision-manufacturing-why-humans-still-matter-on-the-factory-fl) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Bonus Episode - The EMS (Eric Miscoll Show) - Talent: Attracting, Training, and Retaining it and Mitigating Scarcity](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-24-bonus-episode-the-ems-eric-miscoll-show-talent-attracting-training-and-retaining) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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