Creativity in all its varieties has been on my mind lately. Despite living in Barcelona, one of Europe’s edgy, art-inspiring cities, my imaginative brain limps through occasional bouts of "uncreative conformity."
People have expectations. I do what they want me to do. They’re happy, and my bills get paid. Frequently, I wake up with random outbursts of "conceptual greatness" -- a spark of something that theoretically could take me where I think I would like to go next, professionally or personally. Often, a lack of time, money, or energy plus a fear of failure (or is it a fear of success?) keeps those moments of genius relegated to the margins of my notebook, out there on the fringe of my life.
It’s tough living creatively. Perhaps you know what I mean. Sometimes, it’s just easier to stay the course than to nurture an unconventional, unorthodox, and uncertain idea that may, if acted upon, fail, or succeed, triggering a series of important and necessary changes. So, when I recently read a Newsweek article about America’s creativity crisis, I admit, it gave me an unexpected rouse. Wait, it’s not just me? There’s a creativity slump? Whew!
I kept hopping through links, connecting thoughts, and mulling over what the heck was happening to our collective inventiveness and if anyone even cared. Apparently, people do, especially business leaders. Earlier this year, IBM surveyed more than 1,500 chief executive officers from 60 countries and 33 industries worldwide. My jaw dropped when I scanned the results: Hands down, CEOs identified creativity as the No. 1 leadership competency they believed would help their companies successfully navigate an increasingly complex world.
This got me thinking about what supply chain professionals do on a daily basis. For the record, I think supply chain folks creatively fight fires every day. But, what I want to know now is how well appreciated that leadership skill is on an organizational level, and how far electronics companies are willing to go to bring creative supply chain ideas to fruition.
Arguably, all supply chain successes started with an "Aha!" moment that was cultivated and implemented (either with cooperative insight or with sheer brute force) by a few creative souls willing to pioneer a new direction. I can’t help but wonder if the next big supply chain thing has already been written down somewhere in the margins and is waiting for its chance to be great.
This week’s challenge: What was your latest "Aha!" supply chain idea? What do you need to do to move from “conceptual greatness” to reality? How does your team or company encourage creativity, instill it into the daily routine, and evolve it into something that improves the supply chain process? Post your thoughts here.
You're right in saying companies need to put the horsepower behind a good idea. The lack of investment in time and resources is big stumbling block. Do you have an examples of how Avnet or similar companies have stepped up and helped drive a creative idea through implementation?
Interesting topic - there is an entire area of study and theory around the process of innovation. Many of us have probably had the experience of waking in the middle of the night with a solution to a problem that has been plaquing us! Sometimes I wonder which is the larger roadblock - forming the idea, or bringing it to a tangible state. Few people are recognized for their creativity unless they can carry it through implementation. But that's where the organizations, like Avnet, can put some horsepower behind a good idea.
I know there is always a lag when new policies are put into effect. In this case, it would be because any fiscal modifications would most likely apply for 2011-2012 meaning that no one would benefit until almost another 2 years.
But in cases like these, it might be slow and seem like a non-factor BUT we have to start somewhere to at least get the ball rolling. Who knows, this might lead to some other great ideas being throw into the mix as well.
I agree. Tax incentives could work especially since many cities, states and nations are looking for ways to rebuild their recession-battered local tax bases. And, as we've see in the news recently, some industry heavy hitters, like Intel's CEO Paul Otellini, are asking the U.S. to take such steps. (Here's one recent story on that: http://blogs.pcmag.com/miller/2010/10/intels_otellini_calls_for_more.php)
The problem, though, is it takes years between when tax incentives are offered and when manufacturers earn a profit from plants built with those tax credits. Not sure what the interim solution would be.
It is however true that it is large erodded and like everybody else, i'm wondering why?
Perherps the world around us has gotten too complex, and we have lost the simplicity of life and passion that people of earlier centuries had, and were able to unlease their creative side to the maximum. Or maybe it's the burden of responsibility and survival that has cost us our creativity.
However, it is still our greatest assest. creativity is the answer to the burden of bills, becuase it could bring about results that can solve those problems for good.
I agree with Jeniffer, there has to be a balance somewhere and in addition, there has to be a deliberate set of actions to keep that creativity pool flowing.
the balance of work and rest, activity and quietness must be maintained.
Its funny that our challenges tend to take us away from the one thing that can solve them.
I would be hard pressed to see 'making things' or manufacturing return to onshore locations. The big boys in industry slash so much overhead by sending all of the labor overseas or offshore. Some major tax breaks/incentives would NEED to be instituted to encourage them to bring back the hands-on labor the U.S. of A.
Right, SP. Making living often trumps imagination. Sad, no?
But, I can't help but to think there has to be a balance somewhere. And, the Jeep commercial,"The Things We Make, Make Us," keeps playing in my head. Say what you will about offshoring vs. local manufacturing, but the idea behind this ad - getting back into making things - struck a chord with me.
Living creatively is definitely tough. I guess its paying bills that dictates most of the thing. I guess everyone wants some creativity but gets limited by financial responsibilities.
A new report shows that most of the worrisome issues that the supply chain industry has been dealing with for years are not new, but there are some new concerns that need answers. Here’s a look at what keeps supply chain professionals up at night.
When it comes to shipping supplies from China to Europe, trains might be the most cost-effective way companies have available to them. DHL is looking to jump on that bandwagon.
For many dealing with the enormous task of tracking,
reporting, and resolving issues associated with
potential counterfeit parts, there is a collective
hope that 2013 will bring clearer guidance on what
needs to be done by whom and when.
A necessary foundation for moving efficiently at real-time speed, supply chain analytics is still very much at the beginning stages of development at many companies.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
To save this item to your list of favorite EBN content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This