Michael Walton, manufacturing and IT consultant and global head of Manufacturing Industry for Google at Work, gave a keynote address at the IndustryWeek Manufacturing & Technology Conference & Expo in Cleveland, Ohio, in early-May. Walton said in a corresponding article that innovation is “the DNA of manufacturing” and that executives need to enable not only their lieutenants but all of their personnel with techniques and tools to “think big.” Walton said creating that culture of innovation is what can lead to incremental and big improvements in technologies and manufacturing.
Walton offered a number of tips for sustaining innovation. They included spending time on big “moonshot” innovations; to keep listening to feedback on their products; to engage in sharing and collaboration; hiring the right people; and empowering employees to look for ideas everywhere. He also recommended that executives take just one week and devote 10% of their time simply to thinking big. “Challenge yourself to think differently about the way your organization is doing business and what it can do,” said Walton.
It’s critical that executives don’t overlook their potential for innovation within their organizations, even down to their lowest-level workers. Researchers Daniel Araya and Christopher Sulavik said at The Brown Center Chalkboard at the Brookings Institute that there is a new wave of innovation coming from hobbyists, DIY makers and, those in the startup realm. “We’re seeing a rising wave of innovation that has the capacity to transform existing markets and value networks…In fact, some of the world’s largest firms are already aggressively campaigning to lure this talent into their ranks,” said the researchers.
Walton also said in the IndustryWeek article that CIOs can be some of the biggest “innovation blockers” because they have technology they believe is working on their behalf and performing well. He said CIOs need to take more chances with “those down below” and encourage innovation by giving them “more opportunity to fail.”
“Companies are started all the time by people frustrated in the companies they work for. They get frustrated because they can’t get their voice heard. They can’t get their ideas up the chain,” said Walton.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
