by Paul V. Arnold

The story goes that W. Edwards Deming was confronted following his speech at a manufacturing symposium in 1990.

“You’re asking me to think differently, to change a 70-year-old corporate culture?” asked an agitated company leader, perhaps hoping that Deming, one of the century’s pre-eminent industrial minds, would either recant his viewpoints or give the leader’s company a free pass to retain the status quo.

“It is not necessary to change,” the 90-year-old Deming responded. “Survival is not mandatory.”

Deming’s view: You can change or go the way of the dodo. It’s up to you.

Manufacturing companies today are faced with at least as many challenges as in 1990, and change is still a touchy subject. Faced with competition (both American and global) that can do the job cheaper and more efficiently, some company leaders opt to get agitated and complain about real or perceived unfair advantages. Then they continue to run their operations the same way they did in 1960.

Other company leaders see the situation for what it is and accept the challenge. They realize that change is necessary for their company. They know it might not be easy. They know it might be painful. They know it might not increase their popularity. But it is necessary.

The last few months underscored for me the need and power of change.

“Lean Manufacturing University,” our best practices in lean conference held Nov. 10-11, showcased 10 industrial companies that evolved in order to better position themselves to face the challenges of today and tomorrow. The 142 leaders from 70 companies in attendance used the information to either confirm that their own change initiative was on the right track or develop a road map that helps them avoid corporate extinction.

Confirmation also came by reading the nomination forms of those entered for the fourth annual MRO All-Pro Team. While these plant-floor leaders aren’t executives — they aren’t even salaried employees — they stepped up to the challenge and made a difference by playing an active, important role in changing their companies for the better.

As a proponent of survival, I implore you to shake things up. Take a fresh look at your company, plant and job. Question the status quo. Create new ideas and listen to ideas from those around you. Support revolution and revolutionize your company! Survival is very much up to you.

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