Embracing Change: Overcoming Fear and Unlocking Innovation
Hi dear Factory Innovators, last week, we shared about humanoids and the rapid advancements in AI technologies . With significant changes brought about by these technologies in the realm of process improvement, many of which are already around us, it's clear that while these changes hold immense potential for improving efficiency and productivity, they also bring a natural fear of change. And more if you saw the last presentation of NVIDIA with the announcement of Project GR00T & Robotics Advances.
In this edition of Factory Trends, we explore how to overcome these fears and embrace innovation, unlocking new possibilities in the process.
Last week, the Dafo Team embarked on a new cohort in the Business Accelerator Program at Warwick Innovation District , engaging with entrepreneurs and manufacturers. One such discussion revealed a common theme: the fear and resistance towards new technologies. For many, the challenge of implementing new technology seems insuperable. And here, I find myself often repeating, 'Technology alone is never the answer'. Integrating technologies with the sole aim of controlling or overseeing people, without proper communication and understanding, is useless. It's crucial to communicate effectively, allowing employees to see the benefits of technology. However, when changes and technologies are poorly implemented, it can make people feel threatened, rather than empowered.
Navigating the Waters of Technology Adoption: Top Ten Common Problems
This discussion brings to our churros table a brainstorming session about the common barriers that can arise when implementing new technologies, which can contribute to fears around change. I choose the ten that resonate the most:
1. Training Gaps and Understanding: A common barrier is the lack of sufficient training or, in some cases, its complete absence.
2. Resistance to Change: The comfort of familiar routines can lead to resistance among employees faced with new technologies.
3. Communication Breakdowns: Often, the rationale behind the change and its anticipated benefits are not communicated effectively, leading to scepticism and resistance.
4. Teams Exclusion from Decision-Making Process: Failing to involve end-users in the decision-making process can result in a lack of buy-in and commitment to the new technology.
5. Resource Constraints: The successful adoption of new technology requires a commitment of resources—budget, skilled personnel, and time. Insufficient allocation can significantly impede progress.
6. Inadequate Speed: Rushing to deploy new technology massively without testing in small pilots can lead to unforeseen issues post-implementation.
7. Legacy System Integration Challenges: The complexity of integrating new technology with existing systems can pose significant hurdles.
8. Lack of Strategic Planning: A well-defined strategy is essential for successful implementation. Without it, organizations may face execution challenges, resulting in delays and increased costs.
9. Misaligned Expectations: Unrealistic expectations about the capabilities of new technology can lead to disappointment and disillusionment. It is necessary to understand what the technology can do and what can not do.
10. Neglecting Post-Implementation Evaluation: It's essential to monitor and assess the new technology's effectiveness after implementation to ensure it meets the intended objectives and delivers value.
How Small Manufacturers Can Manage Risks and Prepare for Change
Being a manufacturer, in essence, means changing things. This points to a natural inclination towards innovation, yet introducing new technologies carries risks that impact operations and, more crucially for the focus of this article, people. The topic of change management is widely discussed, yet we frequently encounter small manufacturers who haven't considered it in their pursuit of improvements. Here are some revisited common tips:
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Also, consider the potential risks that may emerge:
One risk that can increase fear of change is the potential for security vulnerabilities introduced by new technologies. Manufacturers must tackle these vulnerabilities to safeguard sensitive data and preserve trust. In a previous edition, we discussed how to address cybersecurity risks .
Addressing these challenges requires a balanced approach, combining strategic planning, inclusive decision-making, effective communication, and realistic goals. By preparing for these obstacles, manufacturers can cultivate a culture more open and ready to embrace technological advances with confidence. Awareness of these potential issues and proactive measures can significantly improve the chances of successful technology implementation and mitigate change-related fears.
Embracing Innovation: Change as a Learning Process
Understanding change as a learning process is crucial. Being open-minded to embrace innovation is essential because learning is both the result and the cycle of continuous real-time feedback, for this reason, AI tools like our digital worker assistant can significantly speed up the onboarding and training processes for new employees on assembly lines thanks to the real-time feedback and assembly validation. It's also vital to determine the acceptable levels of improvement required and how to measure it. However, a common challenge is finding the current data to establish a baseline for measuring improvement. For example, this Monday at the #fsbbootcamp, in a conversation with Steve Fannon , we discussed the challenges in finding project and production managers well-versed in lean principles. Sometimes, this lack of skills means that common metrics like the PPM (Parts Per Million), which quantifies the number of defects or nonconformities produced by a process, are not known, making it challenging to set a realistic benchmark for measurable improvement.
…And Learning is the Capacity to Change
Change can be intimidating but is essential for progress. Recognising that change is difficult yet constant is key to achieving real behavioural transformation. In Adam Grant's book Think Again, he lists 'The Most Annoying Things People Say Instead of Rethinking', with the most common being 'That’s the way we’ve always done it'. Years ago, the arrival of new technologies expanded the gap between experts and line operators. Today, thanks to technology, this gap is narrowing. Being good is not enough in a highly competitive context; differentiation is crucial. Finding your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) that makes you unique in how you do something is vital. Creativity, knowledge enhancement, and leveraging the expertise in people's minds are essential. Let's view learning as the capacity to change.
Change management, effective communication, and a supportive organizational culture are vital in dealing with these challenges and ensuring successful technology adoption. By embracing innovation, we can overcome our fear of change and unlock new opportunities for growth and success in process improvement.
What did you think of today's newsletter? How do you plan for changes? Share your comments with us – we're listening.
Warmest regards,
Daniela, Founder & CEO
Gabriel Giani, Co-Founder, AI Specialist, and Code Captain
The Dafo.AI Team
+ Plus
“EU AI Act Compliance: This newsletter emerged from a delightful discussion over churros with Gabriel and was crafted with Daniela's classic touch of ink on paper in Spanish. Oliver, our GPT Marketing Strategist, skillfully translated the content, upholding our commitment to transparency and the ethical application of AI.”