Someone asked me recently my thoughts on smart manufacturing—the so-called IT revolution in the factory. They couldn’t believe that I didn’t see smart manufacturing as the salvation of American manufacturing. Don’t misunderstand me; smart manufacturing has a place in reviving American manufacturing. I have a smart factory. We employ the latest in pick-to-light systems, automated CNC machines and seamless integration from order inquiry to accounts receivable. But that isn’t where I started my revolution, and you shouldn’t, either.
The problem with many CEOs today is they have turned away from the astonishing potential of the workforce and turned toward automation instead. Big mistake. What is the sense in spending millions on automating your factory if our workforce couldn’t care less? What is the sense in buying expensive machine tools if your workforce can’t wait to get to the bowling alley, yet drag themselves to work? I’ll tell you why: Because too many CEOs view their employees as expandable assets. They should view them as renewable resources. And renew them.