Introspection on Innovation

When Factories Vanish, So Can Innovators,” NYTimes.com

“We want those factory jobs back that we’ve lost,” is a statement I hear a lot that I am reminded of in reading the above article. The article talks about ‘innovators’ in the sense of engineers, inventors and entrepreneurs. In talking with manufacturers, it is obvious we can’t let factory workers off the hook. We have factory workers learning lean manufacturing, SQC, automation, computer assisted design and manufacturing, process control, etc. Innovation doesn’t happen independent of the shop floor. Factories have all kinds of forces working upon them, but they certainly won’t succeed without team members open to innovation.

About Daryl Phillips, CEcD

I am a professional economic developer. I presently work for communities and companies in developing and implementing workforce and economic development solutions as CEO of Phillips Economic Development Solutions (Phi EDS). Prior to September 2017, I was the economic development professional who served a community team of elected officials, business people, community leaders and dedicated stakeholders for economic development in Cheatham County, Tennessee (pop. 39,880) and its four towns. During my five-year tenure, I served the team as Cheatham County grew over 1,700 jobs, turned around population declines at the start of this decade into healthy population growth, increased tourism expenditures 20.3% and local tax revenue from tourism 25.4%, grew sales tax revenue 36%, focused on developing the local workforce and was recognized by SmartAsset as having the 9th highest Incoming Investment Index of all the 95 counties in Tennessee. I am a member of International Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, Tennessee Economic Development Council and International Council of Shopping Centers. I have earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) certification from National Development Council and hold a Master of Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University.
This entry was posted in technology. Bookmark the permalink.