Staying up-to-date on top trends in manufacturing technology. I focus on a mix of authoritative sources such as research centers and industry magazines that give comprehensive reports on emerging trends and changing breakthroughs. These sources condense cutting-edge advancements into actionable, comprehensible information that aids in making informed decisions. I also try to go to large events and conferences. These settings offer a chance for me to see firsthand how new technology is being used and network with other professionals in the field to share ideas about its possibilities. The real value is in the idea-sharing and networking that happens in these settings, something that simply cannot be condensed into a report. Social sites are also very important. Staying current with industry leaders and experts keeps me current on new ideas and new trends. Having immediate access to the latest news from industry people keeps me current, and provides me with a clear picture of how technology is evolving and being applied throughout different industries.
One easy way to stay updated on manufacturing technology trends is by setting aside a crack small slice of time each day (just 10-15 minutes, whatever works for my schedule). Whether that be the mornings over a podcast or during my lunch breaks reading up on some articles -- finding time in the day where I am keeping up with whats happening without overloading myself. I also put a timer, 10-15 minutes per day sorts to going down endless rabbit holes and finding the most recent information. I take it lightly with a little team help too. In our team we pass around articles or podcast episodes to read help each other out in furthering our knowledge and get different perspectives. We use Slack for posting updates (the tool makes sure everyone is up to speed) Finally, I try to feed that into our business strategy as a whole. We discuss the point in quarterly or when we are going thru our business plan reviews. Anytime we add new tech, or consider process improvements it gives us something to benchmark against in order to continually be working forward with the latest innovations. Being informed does not have to take up your entire day, but building the habits that make it work with who you already are.