LNS Research

Frontline operations are at a breaking point. Shrinking tenures, high churn, and outdated training are crippling safety, quality, and productivity. The solution? Knowledge Management (KM) — the game-changer COOs need to future-proof their workforce and operations. With tenures down 75%, today’s workforce demands intuitive, dynamic learning systems. KM bridges the skills gap, boosts engagement, and drives better, faster decisions, directly improving operational performance. Our research shows that Leaders prioritize Knowledge Management as a strategic initiative, not an afterthought. They: ?? Tie training to operational outcomes with clear governance ?? Use AI and AR/VR to create interactive, just-in-time learning experiences ?? Build cultures of continuous learning and innovation while aligning across teams Learn more about what Leaders are doing differently in Knowledge Management to affect safety, quality, sustainability, productivity, and more in the era of AI empowerment. Join LNS Research Analyst Allison Kuhn, along with company President and Research Lead Matthew Littlefield, as they discuss The Knowledge Management and Industrial AI Imperative — LIVE on LinkedIn on ??Tuesday, December 10th, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. Allison and Matt will provide our latest research insights, and examine important advice for COOs, including: ? Why it's essential to assign clear ownership to Knowledge Management initiatives with cross-functional leadership ? How to avoid “tech-for-tech’s-sake”— modernizing processes alongside tools ? How to engage employees to refine training and foster empowerment Allison and Matt will also take your questions, LIVE on air. Knowledge Management isn’t just a technology play — it’s the key to unlocking safer, smarter, and more resilient operations. Don’t miss out — join us live! Register today! https://hubs.ly/Q02ZnzMm0 #knowledgemanagement #safety #sustainability #AI #CFW #manufacturing #industrialworkforce Event Sponsored by: Epicor, QAD Redzone

For decades, quality functions have been stuck in the past, focused on compliance and efficiency within siloed operations. But the industrial landscape has shifted, and the stakes have never been higher with no shortage of product recalls and safety concerns from some of the biggest names in manufacturing. Embedded Quality—LNS Research's strategic approach to aligning the value chain for Delivered Quality outcomes—has emerged as a critical strategy for thriving in this new, challenging era. In our latest Executive Brief, Leaders’ Guide to Embedded Quality, LNS Research Senior Analyst James Wells examines the reasons behind these quality failures—and the strategies successful organizations and their Chief Quality Officers are using to get things right, including: ?? Compliance Is Not Enough: Despite its necessity, over 81% of quality functions still prioritize compliance over brand reputation, perpetuating outdated approaches to quality. ?? Culture Matters: Companies with Embedded Quality strategies that emphasize collaboration and data-based decision-making are 40% more likely to align with broader transformation efforts. ?? Who Leads Matters: Only 14% of transformations are led by quality functions themselves, yet these efforts are 52% more likely to succeed when owned by internal quality leaders. ?? The ROI of Delivered Quality: Leaders see 29% higher throughput, 23% higher net profit margins, and 20% more successful new product introductions—all tied to robust quality strategies. These insights reflect the critical role of embedding quality across the value chain and aligning it with Industrial Transformation efforts. While compliance remains vital, leveraging quality as a competitive advantage demands a deeper, more strategic approach. ?? LNS Research members can download the full Executive Brief eBook in the LNS Research Members Library and learn how to drive measurable business impact through Embedded Quality. https://hubs.ly/Q02YV2-G0 It’s time to transform quality and shift it from a cost center to a profit generator. #QualityLeadership #IndustrialTransformation #EmbeddedQuality #Delivered Quality #Manufacturing #PerformanceExcellence

In the last 12 months Rockwell Automation has brought on many new executives to senior leadership positions. It's now time to find out what they've been up to. Just in the last month, Siemens and Emerson have made big acquisitions and Honeywell is spinning off divisions and may split apart. The pressure is on but the oppotunity is also there. This should be a fun #AutomationFair ?? LNS Research is excited to be there with Niels Erik Andersen and Vivek Murugesan

Veeva Systems demonstrates transparency, breadth of solutions, partnership mindset, and hyper-focus on customers at its most recent R&D and Quality summit.

The industrial workforce has undergone a seismic shift. The 30-year veteran has been replaced by the 3-year veteran, and the 3-year veteran by the 3-month hire. Training has evolved into a “green-on-green” reality, and executives can no longer achieve the same levels of safety, quality, productivity, and sustainability improvements with yesterday’s tools and strategies. To succeed in this new era, manufacturers must embrace Industrial AI and Connected Frontline Workforce Applications to transform Knowledge Management—making it faster, easier, and even automated. ?? Join LNS Research for a LinkedIn Live Event to explore how manufacturers can achieve Zero Harm, Zero Waste, and Zero Net Carbon through innovative, sustainable, and safe operations. ?? Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 ?? Time: 11 AM - 12 PM ET Key takeaways include: ??How safety and sustainability impact stakeholders and organizational performance. ??The critical role of safety initiatives in addressing workforce challenges. ??Best practices for creating a culture rooted in safety and sustainability. ??Insights from top manufacturing leaders on achieving ambitious operational goals. ?? Hosted by: ?? Allison Kuhn, Analyst, LNS Research ?? Matthew Littlefield, Co-founder and President, LNS Research The future of manufacturing depends on rethinking sustainability, embedding safety into corporate culture, and embracing innovation to drive meaningful change. Let us show you how. ?? Don’t miss out—join us live! Register today! #knowledgemanagement #safety #sustainability #AI #CFW #manufacturing #industrialworkforce Event Sponsored by: Epicor, QAD Redzone

ChatGPT can draw a pretty picture of your 2025 ops strategy. It might even be prettier than the LNS Research version. But pretty pictures don't drive results. The value is in the creative planning process. It took us 10 years not 10 seconds to create this framework. Each element and pillar has multiple years of research behind it, with 100s of benchmarked companies. And then we agonized over how each element aligned with and impacted the others. Now, it is an irreplacable tool that drives our internal thinking and how we engage with others externally. Manufacturing companies should approach their strategy the same way.

Don't confuse doing the work, improving the work, and transforming the work. Just because you are using digital tools, doesn't mean you are improving or transforming.

COOs participate in, and sometimes lead, the enterprise strategic planning process. But too often they treat strategic planning in operations as an after-thought. One mostly focused on KPI targets and allocating budget. Strategic planning is better treated as a series of cascading and closed loop processes that: ~aligns all levels of the organization. ~drives autonomy down to those closes to and best positioned to make decisions. ~facilitates flexibility and feedback over time.

IX 2024 Conference

Don't miss our grand finale of LNS Research's The Industrial Transformation Event 2024, with our panel discussion of one of the most important elements for organizational success - leadership. Our panel weighs in on Servant Leadership as the foundation of the future of industrial operations. Allison Kuhn, LNS Research Analyst, moderates this fascinating topic, live-streamed from our main stage in Boston, MA. Join us at 1 p.m. EST. Don't miss out on this important dialogue about leadership within Industrial Transformation. Our panelists include: Michael Bartikoski, Ken Fisher, Allison Roberts Grealis, Michaela Harrington, and Zach Robertson. #TheIXEvent #manufacturingindustry #FOIW #performanceexcellence #digitaltransformation #servantleadership