By Carol Fitzgerald Tyler
Global Senior Practice Director, Organization Change Management | Infor

Challenging though it may be to create a vision that will transform an organization, it is crucial to effectively spread the message of digital innovation. Communication is often cited as the number one challenge for business transformation and change management. A strong communications strategy can lead an organization to a successful transform.  Leaders can encourage teams to innovate by communicating both the organizational vision and the acceptance of occasional failure. Companies with a clear vision are on average more effective in their efforts, and as a result, more profitable.

A strong communications strategy can lead an organization to a successful transform...

Not sure where to start in upgrading your operation? Map out an incremental approach. This article from Industry Week can help you get started.

Smart factories, digitization, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are all hot topics in the manufacturing sector, generating considerable buzz—and some consternation. These disruptive technologies are exciting, yet the complexity can also be overwhelming.

But with a practical, incremental plan of action, including options with minimal disruption and low-risk, even those who have been reluctant to embrace next-generation technology can get started on the journey. 

This is Part 3 in a 3-Part series on facing the competition.

Technology supports enhanced customer centricity.

Value-add programs are more important than ever as tools to overcome increased competition. Empowered by technology, new entrants into the market, as well as established veterans, are putting pressure on manufacturers to examine their mix of product offerings and services. Unless they want to risk commoditization of products or eroding market share, manufacturers must find ways to stand apart from their competitors. Enhancing the customer experience, from order entry to after-market service, is one of the most effective ways to build relationships that are resilient to aggressive competitors.

This is Part 2 in a 3-Part series on facing the competition.

How do you fend off competitive threats? 

With threats popping up from emerging players as well as mature contenders, maintaining market share in manufacturing industries can be difficult. You must be vigilant and ready to respond. Just as technology helps the new contenders step up their game, it also can help you identify early warning signs of eroding market penetration. Fortunately, there are also corresponding tactics you can deploy to boost your competitive edge.

Red ten warning signs the competition is making gains...

This is Part 1 in a 3-Part series on facing the competition.

Is it getting hot in here? The pace of change in manufacturing today is staggering. New markets emerge, seemingly, overnight. Micro industries and niche applications can light up the forecasts–then disappear—in a blink, leaving you with shelves of obsolete inventory. Trends come and go. Technology needs to be continually refreshed, and yesterday’s projections are ancient history before you even hit SEND on the report. But, the greatest danger of this break-neck speed of business isn’t in recognizing what’s ahead; It’s seeing who is sneaking up from behind.

Matt Simonsen, Director of Retail Strategy at Infor talks about 3 ways that retailers can exceed customer expectations with a networked supply chain.

When it comes to their orders, customers want them fast and they want them free. But these two forces are often in direct conflict inside the supply chain, where planning and production typically take place months in advance, and inventory is widely distributed among a geographically diverse set of stores and warehouses, logistics providers, and factories. The question for many retailers becomes, “How much margin am I willing to sacrifice to satisfy my customer?”

Retail powerhouses like Amazon and Walmart have conditioned customers to expect their orders in days, if not hours. And a growing number of consumers have become comfortable using options like click-and-collect to secure an item online and pick it up shortly thereafter in a store, or rely on third-parties like Instacart to do their shopping for them.

In this episode of Reinventing Retail, listen to Vineet Chaudhary, co-founder of Trendage, a fashion and technology personalization company enabling 3.5 million users to digitally mix and match clothing using avatars, AI, and a vast product database. The discussion centers on how apps like Trendage are leveling the playing field between retailers and consumers, giving them both the tools and reciprocity to establish a two-way street when it comes to giving up personal data in return for great customer experiences.

A recent survey by MagnifyMoney ranked the U.S. metro areas according to where the average working woman could have the ability to better or maintain her financial health. We looked at the data from the perspective of how many women were employed in the manufacturing sector.