The Opportunity to Innovate Is “Now Here”

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The Opportunity to Innovate Is “Now Here”

Why didn’t I think of that?  We’ve all been there, watching “Shark Tank” or a commercial for a new product that’s deceptively simple or ingenuously innovative, something we know we could have come up with, if only we had!  Perhaps you’ve heard about a competitor’s new system or creative solution and wanted to slap your own forehead.  Why didn’t we think of that? 

 

Low energy, labor and money costs make this a great time to improve your manufacturing operations, gain efficiency and hedge future expenses.  But if your operation is running smoothly, how can you spot existing opportunities to innovate and drive more value to your organization?  Here are some areas to consider:

 

  • Data Analytics:  Are you capturing enough data?  Are you collecting the most useful data?  Have you tied your historical data to financial return and impact? Innovative data analysis can shed light on where efficiency can be improved and where cash can be saved.
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  • The Holistic, “Circular” System: Can you recycle and reuse traditionally discarded waste products?  Are there redundant elements in your current system?  Do all your system’s elements “speak the same language” and connect optimally and show their value impact?  Thinking of your system as “circular” as opposed to “linear” and focusing holistically may inspire creative solutions.
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  • Advanced Automation: Sensor networks, remote telemetry, vision systems and artificial intelligence aren’t as costly as they may sound.  Operations of any size can scale these technologies to optimize their systems and drive value to the business.
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    If you feel a little stagnant, a fresh perspective is invaluable.  Be it interacting with other departments in your organization, talking to your industry peers, reviewing the new offerings of your technical partners or working in consultation with a professional services firm, there are endless opportunities to leverage business value from today’s latest trends.  After all, depending on your perspective from the Shark Tank, the opportunity to create value is either ‘no where’ or ‘now here.’

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