Slow Down to Speed Up Your Digital Transformation

Rockwell recently published their 8th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report which is an awesome read if you have a few minutes to spare. It states that “we’ve experienced 20 years of evolution in 2 years” according to Blake Morret, with the recent advancements in technology. Yet, if we walk the lines in the plant and speak to the leaders in the business, too often there is not a clear value case or roadmap to scale the technology being demonstrated. Therefore should we not slow down to speed up digital transformation in industry?

Just over 40% of businesses are struggling to identify where to start their digital transformation journeys and just under 25% have a clear roadmap to implement and scale their industry 4.0 initiatives. Industry 4.0 is at an inflection point, as we move from technology driven change to value driven change. And not a moment too soon. With the global instabilities, rising material and labour costs and increasing competition, a clear “why” for industry 4.0 has never been more important. The report points to some key reasons why manufactures should slow down to speed up their transformations.

According to Rockwells report:

• 97% of participants reported that they are using or plan to use smart manufacturing technology over the next 1-2 years
• More than 50% more manufacturers are using Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence compared to last year
• More than two-thirds of manufacturers believe technology can be very helpful, or extremely helpful, in addressing workforce challenges​

… and yet

• Almost 2 times as many respondents say they lack the technology to outpace the competition, compared to last year’s survey​
• A third of manufacturers are hampered by ‘technology paralysis’ – an inability to decide between solutions

So why slow down to speed up?

Finding the right solution to do the job

Rushing to implement new technologies can lead to costly mistakes. Yet they are so many options, that it is leading to technology paralysis. The 1/3 of manufacturers hampered quoted above is a 65% year-on-year increase. Manufacturers need to take the time to carefully plan their digital transformation strategy and ensure that they are using the right technologies for their specific needs. By rushing, manufacturers may end up investing in technologies that are not well-suited to their operations or that require significant customization. This can lead to costly delays and rework.

It’s about people too

It is important to get buy-in from employees before implementing new technologies. The report stated that 41% of companies sighted Change management (getting all employees/departments to effectively use new technology/processes) as one of the biggest workforce-related obstacles. Digital transformation can be disruptive and change-resistant employees can be a major obstacle to success. By slowing down, manufacturers can give themselves time to educate employees about the benefits of digital transformation and to develop a plan for managing change.

Building the foundation

Manufacturers need to focus on building a strong foundation for digital transformation. This includes things like investing in IT infrastructure, developing digital skills among employees, and creating a culture of innovation. By slowing down, manufacturers can ensure that they have the necessary foundation in place to support successful digital transformation. In the report is stated 46% of manufacturers say that they lack the skilled workforce to outpace the competition over the next 12 months, jumping from 35% in the last report.

So how do I slow down to speed up my transformation?

Here are some recommendations which you could adopt.

• Manufacturers can take the time to develop a clear and well-defined digital transformation roadmap. This is at the heart of Nick Leeder & Co’s TRANSFORMit! offering, built off the Smart industry Readiness Index. Your roadmap identifies the specific goals of digital transformation, the technologies that will be used, and the timeline for implementation. By having a clear roadmap, manufacturers can avoid making costly mistakes and can ensure that they are making progress towards their goals.
• Manufacturers can focus on piloting new technologies in small batches. This allows manufacturers to test new technologies in a controlled environment and to get feedback from employees before rolling them out to the entire organization. This can help to identify and address any potential problems early on, which can save time and money in the long run.
• Manufacturers can collaborate with other manufacturers and industry partners. By sharing knowledge and best practices, manufacturers can learn from each other and avoid reinventing the wheel. This can help manufacturers to accelerate their digital transformation journey.

Find out more about Nick Leeder & Co

Nick Leeder & Co is dedicated to empowering businesses in the manufacturing sector. By implementing industry-leading techniques like IGNITEIt! incorporating the Smart Industry Readiness Index, companies can streamline their operations, optimise processes, and deliver high-quality products to the market faster than ever before.

Whether it’s enhancing efficiency, embracing new technologies, or fostering a culture of continuous improvement, Nick Leeder & Co is at the forefront of supporting UK manufacturers in their digital transformation journey. We co-pilot manufacturers through their transformations to successful outcomes and bring decades of front-line experience in delivering changes in complex and global organisations to bear.

So, join the transformation revolution and unlock the true potential of your manufacturing business with Nick Leeder & Co’s transformative solutions and learn more about the power of digital manufacturing in our blog series “Transformation Tuesdays“.