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By: Del Merenda, President, i-MARK, Inc.
Feb. 12, 2013
American Manufacturing: Reactive Leadership and Missed Opportunity
Well, did I ever get a wake-up call!
That was my reaction after recently attending a conference in Connecticut focused on the health of our State's manufacturing sector. So, there I was, expecting discussions about business growth issues and new global opportunities - situations that we specialize in helping the sector address. Not! Instead, speakers and panels discussed taxes, regulations, health care costs, energy, and skilled labor shortages. Yes, some growth needs managed to sneak in - way down the laundry list.
Man, that hurt. Nothing here for us, I thought. Time to pack up and head out. But, then it hit me, these leaders were so consumed with reactive issues enveloping them like a desert sandstorm, they had precious little time to see a freight train heading right for them - a mass BtoB market exodus to the Internet business channel. There is no question that BtoB markets are well on their way to adopting an automated, self-service preference. As we see it, this is the crux and boy, is it ever getting short shrift by way too many mid-sized manufacturers. Maybe it's the weight of their reactive burdens. Maybe it's the notion of old ways dying hard.
All I can say is, that which drives us every day is the unabashed pride and enthusiasm our customers have for the incredible successes of their Internet business channels. It sure keeps us going and motivated to make lots of wake up calls of our own. If you are a manufacturer in need of one, whether it comes from i-MARK or another advocate, please do yourself a big favor. Take it!
PS., if you'd like a little nudging, below is a powerful snippet from a recent IndustryWeek article by Michael Collins that might convince you:
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