The Rapid Response Institute

Tag: career

  • Operational Excellence Enabled by Leadership in Technology

    Operational Excellence Enabled by Leadership in Technology

    In 2025, our new book, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making will be released by CRC Press.  This is an accompanying book to our 2023 book, Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.

    Both books focus on the use of advanced information technologies to attain and sustain Operational Excellence.  Today, organizations are drinking from a firehose of advanced solutions such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Business Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Digital Twins and much more.

    Moreover, the roles of executives at all levels are changing.  It is no longer satisfactory to leave major decision to Chief Technology/Digital/Information types.  Everyone has a stake in these (in some case $100 million or more, bet you company decisions).  For example,

    • The business need must be identified, verified and a detailed plan put in place to acquire and implement the technology of choice.
    • Is this aligned with organizational objectives?
    • How will these new technologies integrate into existing systems, if at all?
    • Does the organization have the maturity to undertake this process?  In other words, is it culturally ready and if not, what must be done to get ready?  Examples include upskilling the workforce, what new skills will be needed and so forth.

    The list is lengthy and detailed which is further explained the new book mentioned.  Additionally, what role do non-IT executives play in this process.  The Blogger believes is it no longer satisfactory to outsource the future ‘core competencies’ to the technology staff or key third parties, including Systems Integrators.  The so-called experts.  What agendas do these parties have and are they aligned with the organization mission and strategy?

    Bet Your Career

    These advanced and emerging and sometimes very immature software solutions will touch every division, department and individual employees as well at the organizational ecosystem.  Poor performance will end careers and possibly organizations.  As always, there will be winners and losers, both at the organization level as well as individuals.

    We could go on, but readers get the point.  This is game-changing for industry sectors, organizations including government agencies and finally for individuals.  Big decisions will need to be made and soon.

    What are you doing to prepare of this transformational tsunami?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    We are also pleased to announce our forthcoming book to be published by CRC Press in 2025, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making.  This is a book for the non-IT executive who is faced with making major technology decisions as firms acquire advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • The Tyranny of the Blank Sheet of Paper

    The Tyranny of the Blank Sheet of Paper

    We have all had that, “Where do I start” moment?  Confronted with the NEW, sometimes the task seems daunting.  In a recent conversation, a colleague and I were discussing an adult training program.  The subject centered on how to help students jump start a creative flow.

    We humans are fond of using so called cheat sheets.  Whether school CliffNotes, Cut and Paste, Go Bys, Best Practices or other tools to wrap our mind around a subject and launch the thought process.  In other words, anything to move us away from the cosmic void–so called ‘writer’s block.’

    Tidbits that Work for Me

    Faced with tyranny often during my formative career years, i.e., a professional services proposal, new spreadsheet, etc. a few tricks were developed.

    First—Just start writing.  Put your thoughts down as they fly out and don’t worry about the order or even if they are relevant.  You can sort these things out later, but a least your paper is no longer blank.

    Get Up—Hit a spot where nothing is pouring out of your brain? Put your (electronic) paper down and go exercise or do something totally unrelated.  You will be surprised how the creative juices will flow when you return.

    Ask a Friend—Remember the old game show where contestants could ‘phone a friend’ when stumped on a question?  Brainstorm with friend and colleagues; even those who have no knowledge of the problem your engaged with.  Sometimes, they have the best insight—true out of the box.

    Do Something Else—If time allows put the project on the shelf and work on something entirely different.  You can come back later refreshed.

    FYI, the tyranny never goes away.  Hundreds of publications and presentations later, it still can persist from time to time.  The four tidbits still work for this author.

    By one definition, tyranny is “cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control.”  There is no reason to let a blank sheet of paper exercise such awful authority.  Take back your creativity!

    Why Let the Blank Sheet of Paper Ruin Your Day?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to third-party materials.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 on April 9, 2020.  The summit will be offered again soon.  Check it Out!!

    You can contact the author as well.

  • Man—Machine: Extension or Versus?

    Man—Machine: Extension or Versus?

    Are the emerging machines our friend or foe?  The debut of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things IoT) and a host of others seem to be drowning us as we drink from a technological fire hose.  Additionally, driverless vehicles, the Gig Economy et al. are conspiring to eliminate truck drivers and full-time jobs.

    Politicians lament this progress and promise, guaranteed basic income and re-training designed transform energy extraction employees into 50 something coders.  Recent college grads are told their (high debt) degrees are worthless and others advised not to seek higher education.  What in the world are we to do?

    Well one learned, well known observer has a plan.  Fortunately, a cinematographer has captured it in the following clip.  A little over a minute long.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W97RmQCnwa4

    Well, maybe Chicken Little is not the best source for guidance.  But again, it does look like aliens played a role.  Perhaps, these new machines are really alien inspired!

    In our real world, the ‘only constant is change’ and barring a meteorite hitting one on the head, if not embraced change needs to be tolerated.  Since this writer graduated from college in 1970 prepared to enter the nuclear power industry (we all know how well that sector fared), several new (then unknown) industries now employ millions across the globe.  Including, me!

    To be sure other sectors have shrunk and even disappeared.  Most employed by those sectors had to adapt to a new business climate.  Many thrived—some did not!

    There is no doubt that individuals need to remain flexible and ‘skill relevant’ in a fast-paced market.  This was true 100 years ago and likely will be so in another 100 years.

    It Can Be Done

    3M Corporation, formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company was founded in 1902.  Initially, it provided heavy industrial products such as sandpaper.  A need for innovation was identified early in its history due to quality issues.  The firm has evolved to one with a global footprint that sells a wide variety of industrial and consumer products.

    The company has codified its Innovation Culture—”Employing the Thirty Percent Rule, 30% of each division’s revenues must come from products introduced in the last four years.  This is tracked rigorously, and employee bonuses are based on successful achievement of this goal.”

    This Agility evolved from the founding of a heavy industrial firm that started innovating early.  This and other success stories suggest than NO firm and NO employee/supplier need fear even dramatic change.  Adapt YES, give up NO.

    Are the emerging machines our friend or foe?  I guess the answer is, “It depends.”  Just like it has been since humans invented fire and found a stick to clobber something/someone with.

    President Theodore Roosevelt is credited with saying, “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”  Likely, the sky will not fall.  More likely we may be hit by Isaac Newton’s (inspirational) apple.

    Is Your Innovative Sky Falling or Is What’s Hitting You Really a Golden Apple?

    For More Information

    This subject is touched upon by this blogger herein and in other venues.  Readers are invited to review these materials with particular attention to Job Disruption Due To Digitalization: Myths And Legends—June 1, 2019.

    In the research for this blog, several versions of the Chicken Little animation were found.  In your spare time, you may find several of them very amusing.

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate these films and does not have a relationship with their producers and distributors.  Provided for fun and entertainment only.

    You can contact the author more information as well.

    End Notes

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3M

      https://hbr.org/2013/08/the-innovation-mindset-in-acti-3

      https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/theodore_roosevelt_136001

  • Celebrate Your Independence: Taking Charge of Your Career

    Celebrate Your Independence: Taking Charge of Your Career

    Today, my country celebrates its 243rd birthday.  Many observe the day with family and friends and enjoy fireworks.  Consumption of hamburgers and hot dogs will most likely be huge.

    No one in the United States is still alive from the time when the colonists rowdily left Great Britain.  Moreover, the United Kingdom is one of this country’s staunchest allies and has been for decades.  For many, the day is a time for reflection and joy.  For some it is largely symbolic.

    However, there are many lessons from history and as the saying goes, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”  So what can today’s population learn from those that took the ultimate risk in that day; “We pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

    Despite some of the well discussed faults of this country, not many of us today are asked to pledge it all.  However, increasingly, we are being asked to take charge of our careers.

    Certainly, our lives and fortunes depend on how we manage our profession.  The 9 to 5 days of ole are long gone, if they truly existed.

    Many pundits, including this author have addressed the changing job market and the new role of digitalization.  In fact, we recently addressed this issue in depth; Job Disruption Due To Digitalization: Myths And Legends.  Interested readers are invited to read that piece.

    Much like colonialists of almost 300 years ago, we can no longer depend on the mother company to take care of our career needs.  Proactive men and women at all stages of their professional life can be more successful than with the old career model.  Passive individuals will reap what they sow as well.

    Enjoy you holiday weekend and get back to work next week actively managing your own career.  Happy Birthday, America!

    You Own Your Career, So What Are You Doing to Assure Your Personal Equity Growth?

    For More Information

    You can contact the author more information.

    End Notes

      https://www.philforhumanity.com/Those_Who_Ignore_History_are_Doomed_to_Repeat_It.html

      http://founding.com/our-lives-our-fortunes-and-our-sacred-honor/

      https://consult2050.com/job-disruption-due-to-digitalization/