411: Bridge The Digital Divide, with SDI
Neil Clover talks about bridging the digital divide; design thinking; the challenges of integrating new tech; & empowering workers by simplifying solutions.\xa0
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[07.09] Neil\u2019s journey through the world of tech; his reflections on what\u2019s changed and what he\u2019s learned; and why we all need to focus on the art of simplicity.
\u201cThere\u2019s a lack of simplicity, a lack of elegance\u2026 and technology gives us the ability to overcomplicate things \u2013 on steroids!\u201d
[13.05] Why supply chain is still about people, despite technological advancements; and Neil\u2019s vision for integrating technology with human potential in supply chains.
\u201cWe have to think of technology as just another tool. When forklifts were introduced, they didn\u2019t replace the people \u2013 they augmented the people\u2026 There are a lot of repetitive things that machines are built for, but people are the glue, the purpose. You can do a lot of things to a machine, but you can\u2019t put passion into it.\u201d
[15.35] The power of design thinking, and how it\u2019s influencing SDI\u2019s approach to implementing technology in supply chains.
\u201cI\u2019ve sat in so many corporate meetings with people saying \u2018we\u2019ve got the solution\u2019 \u2013 but that isn\u2019t the problem we\u2019re trying to solve.\u201d
[20.27] From competency to cost, the biggest challenges Neil sees when introducing new technologies, and the lessons he\u2019s learned from them.
\u201cProcess before technology... the technology is not the answer.\u201d
[23.18] Why workforce resistance to new technology is so common; the impact of change management; and how organizations should be thinking about balancing people and technological change.
[27.41] The importance of simplifying tech, and engaging workers by developing solutions that truly work for them.
\u201cGive people what they need, and only what they need \u2013 and they\u2019ll love you for it.\u201d
[31.25] SDI's strategies for adapting technological tools to align with the expectations and needs of the emerging workforce, and the importance of bringing different generations of workers together.
[34.47] How organizations can use those strategies to create operational efficiency and cost savings and to achieve impactful quick wins at the same time as laying the groundwork for future success.
\u201cIf you can take the pressure down, learning increases. And stop with the all-in-one tools! Do those two things, and efficiency goes through the roof, because confidence goes through the roof.\u201d
[38.49] How organizations can keep the human aspect front and center during the technological evolution of supply chain.
\u201cHappy employees are naturally more productive.\u201d
[41.50] How SDI plan to continue to help clients bridge the digital divide, simplify and leverage technology for frontline efficiency.