Accumold is a regular contributor to MPN thanks to its micromolding expertise. In a new regular slot for the magazine, the company’s Aaron Johnson provides some words of wisdom as we head into the new business year.
2018
Another year has come and gone and 2018 is well on its way. If you’re like me, you’ve probably made a few New Year’s resolutions like, eat better, exercise more or finally get on that budget. If you’re also like me, you’ve probably already slipped a bit. Regardless of how we’re doing so far, the point each year is a reflection on how we might improve ourselves. We recognize where we may need improvement or want to be challenged to grow. While we are easy to point to diet or exercise, how quickly do we bring these thoughts to our work life?
Again, if you’re like me, you’ve probably already had an annual review where you’ve had opportunities to make goals and evaluate your performance for the year. Perhaps you even get that feedback on a regular basis. That’s even better. What I am suggesting is by chance one step further. What I am suggesting is taking a step outside the day-to-day, mechanical objectives and adding something a bit more reaching. I have three suggestions for you to ponder and possibly add to your resolutions for 2018.
Get closer to your customer
It’s very easy to get lost in the moment of our work and forget why we’re doing what we’re doing. Some medical device companies do a really good job of keeping their end customers in front of their teams, but how well do you know your customers? Make it a priority this year to get to know the end customer in a deeper way than you have before. Go beyond the marketing materials. Find someone real to connect with. Renewing our purpose for the work can lead to great things, even if it’s just capturing our drive to do good work.
Research a new process/technology
Take the time this year to pick at least one technology or process that you don’t know much about. It doesn’t have to be something that’s new to the market, maybe you just don’t know much about it. We hear all the time at Accumold, “I didn’t know you could do that with plastic?!” Diving into a technology might reveal opportunities for innovations you didn’t even know you were looking for. Walk a trade show floor, attend a conference, thumb though this very publication and pick something new to research.
Read something different
Vince Poscente in his book, The Age of Speed, made the observation that you can’t separate what you learn in your personal life from what you learn in your corporate life. It’s a simple, and somewhat obvious claim. However, I think we sometimes compartmentalize what we view as “work” and rule out subject matters that may not be directly related to our everyday tasks. I love reading Daniel Pink and Malcomb Gladwell. Neither of these authors directly help me make more tiny plastic parts, but they do challenge my way of thinking, and in turn, help me grow as a person and employee.