Current Speech Topics
Overcoming Fear in Manufacturing
Manufacturing has used relatively the same methodologies for improvements since the 1940s. There is a huge emphasis on quality in highly regulated industries such as semiconductor and automotive manufacturing. These industries are starting to be driven by a fear of failure rather than a passion for creating value for the customer. What would the world look like if we stopped letting fear dictate our decision-making?
Harnessing Employee Ideas for Rapid Growth
Many companies make it a goal for management to drive the organization’s growth. This can often lead to a top-down approach to rolling out projects, which is intended to improve efficiency and drive innovation. But what if employees at the ground floor were motivated to drive growth? Flipping the pyramid on its head can be a powerful way to harness the expertise of employees who deal directly with customers, suppliers and the product itself. Giving these employees a voice can result in exponential, sustainable growth.
Quality Control for Complex Manufacturing
For many companies, scaling up a highly technical process can be an enormous undertaking. Creating a large-scale manufacturing process will produce quite a bit more variation. What is the best way to control this process? What should you look out for during scale-up? What extra equipment or processes might be needed at a large scale when they weren't relevant at a small scale? How can you utilize the knowledge of your operators to ensure consistent quality? Find out the answers to these questions and more at Katie Armstrong's talk!