Mechanized Jobs, Are They In Your Workplace?
Have you been striving for mechanized jobs? Is that the game plan for the future of your work?
People often mention the self-checkouts at the grocery or superstore. People might joke about the absence of the grocery bagger, once popular in suburban supermarkets in the 1970s or 1980s.
Some jobs may be nearly extinct. Is it because of automation, or is it more about margins and saving establishments?
On one hand every business is striving for exceptional service, on the other, every business is striving to reduce costs. Is there a happy medium, or really no medium at all?
For the manufacturer or the fast-food enterprise, it seems to be about automation. Robotize every job you can. Investments in technology reduces or minimizes headcount which ultimately is more reliable and reduces operational costs.
True, and largely a good thing.
Should you robotize more jobs? Is that better?
Mechanized Jobs
Better for what?
Is it better for the bottom line, or is does it propel you to the top of the curve, creating that moment right before starting a downhill slide?
Unemployment is stranger than ever. On top of that, everyone is operating during a time being label as The Great Resignation.
Are you struggling? Is your business or organization struggling with workforce problems?
In the 1960s and 1970s there was a lot of great work performed to analyze job performance, the psychology of work, and efficiency. Countless efforts were studied, analyzed, and published. Much of this work is still relevant today. It may be tweaked a little, but still relevant.
The quest for businesses to operate more efficiently with less headcount per operational dollar is nothing new.
Are mechanized jobs the answer for you?
Apple Pie Opportunity
Your grandmother may have made a great apple pie.
The apple pie can be mass produced, thousands and thousands of them, with very little human intervention.
I’ll bet there is a difference between those pies, and the one grandma once made.
And there lies the opportunity.
The opportunity to do work that matters. Work that people can get behind because they understand and support the purpose, the product, and service outcomes.
You won’t stop automation. You shouldn’t even try.
There is always an intersection of price, quality, and value.
Mechanized shouldn’t lack purpose.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
