The Revolution Blog

Let’s recap this year’s MHI conference all-stars

Sunday, Nov 17, 2019

In case you missed it, this year’s Material Handling Industry (MHI) annual conference was a great place to learn about the latest trends that will help shape the future of manufacturing and supply chains. Here’s a summary of a few presentations we found to be particularly hard-hitting.

Man vs. Machine or Man + Machine?

The MHI conference was themed around the concept of Supply Chain Digital Consciousness, which can be used as an indicator of digital maturity for a supply chain operation. In her presentation, Associate Professor Missy Cummings of Duke University assessed where we stand in the world of automation and autonomy in our everyday lives. In transportation, for example, new technologies such as autonomous vehicles and unmanned drones are prompting ethical, social and political discussions related to automation. How much should humans and automation be involved in the decision-making loop? Cummings emphasized that we have to design for collaboration—allocating roles and functions between humans and computers is critical to defining efficient and effective system architectures in automation.


Creating a Great Place to Work

Michael Bush, who is the CEO of Great Place to Work, the global research and analytics firm that produces those annual lists of the Best Companies to Work For including for the Fortune 100, gave two presentations that answered all your burning questions about what really makes a great place to work. The answer in a nutshell? Trust. That means employees feel they are treated fairly and with respect, and that their leaders are credible.

So what are the key high-trust leadership behaviors based on more than a quarter-century of employee feedback?

Empowerment

  • Hiring: Focus on hiring for potential and character as well as skillset
  • Inspiring: Show employees how their job has meaning beyond serving their own company’s success
  • Celebrating: Build-in celebrations of both personal milestones and company successes

Accountability

  • Developing: Foster a learning environment where employees can nurture their talents/interests
  • Caring: Support employees during important life events and times of need
  • Sharing: Reward employees in their efforts to contribute to the community

Transparency

  • Thanking: Cultivate a “climate of appreciation” and recognition
  • Speaking: Offer up information openly and freely, and encourage everyone to do the same
  • Listening: Be readily accessible and proactively solicit suggestions

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