How to improve technology
Use proactive, independent approach
First visited the United States in 1951, I bought a latest, it seemed to me, Equipment for the production of dry batteries. In the second visit, in 1952, looking at the factory for the production of dry batteries, I saw the same equipment, and to his great surprise found out that it is almost not the oldest in this venture.
This meant that the market comes an ordinary, unremarkable equipment, while producers of certain products, especially high-grade, have their own equipment, originally designed for its own specific needs. Therefore, the equipment, which are equipped with advanced enterprise, much better than what you can buy on the open market.
This practice reflects the essence of the product development process. It is clearly seen that the device is designed by other specialists, as well as those that you develop by relying on other people's resources and technology, do not have a really high efficiency. During this trip to the US I am firmly convinced that a truly outstanding is only the equipment that you are creating, straining his own ingenuity and strength. This principle applies not only to product development, but also in all spheres of activity.
Technicians need to hone their skills
You can give a lot of advice about how to improve technology in the business, but, of course, most importantly, to engineers, process engineers, all experts in a particular field had a strong motivation to continuously hone their knowledge and skills. Awareness of your company's technicians need to continually raise their level is, without a doubt, the basis of its technological development. Today, unlike the past, anyone who strives to excel and is keen to reach new, higher goals, will find many organizations which will help him.
In the old days, even if the man desperately wanted to learn something or master a new specialty, to find a place for learning and mastering new experiences it was very difficult. Recalling the successes that many achieved even under the extremely limited opportunities, for example in the field of vocational training, we should be deeply grateful to what possess today. New features, sure, motivate the more each of us to take the initiative to improve their skills and find new ways to develop the knowledge and abilities.
Standing basic training
The challenges that confront us with equipment and technology, can be solved only by a constant overcoming of problems in your practice - whether in the workshop, on any other front line of business, which you do. If you are an expert in the sport, then you have to practice every day. Even the great champion of sumo, a month has thrown exercises will soon be defeated by a wrestler who was standing in the table of ranks much lower, so the champion trains every day for at least two to three hours a day. I think that this principle is fully applicable to us entrepreneurs.
Whatever we were doing daily should be immersed in their craft or profession, to find time to study reinforced the practical work, and so on. D. But at the same time can not be too carried away by such training, it is necessary to evaluate their own actions, if you look at yourself from a height . Abandoning this view, so you can immerse yourself in the process, that the changes in the outside world will be overlooked, and it may be that eventually mastered the new model is no longer needed. We must learn to combine immersion in dealing with a certain detachment from it and at the same time maintain a good shape and vigor, improving professional qualifications.
The rapid production of good products to be put into practice
A potential customer may ask you to provide him with a sketch of a new product, but if you spend a long time to rock and this ten days, it may be that it is too late. If we decide to proceed with the release of a new product, you should immediately write down an idea and start manufacturing the prototype. This should be the standard order of acts, let alone the ability to quickly implement them depends on how big practice in this area.
Quickly learned to master the production of a new product, you can count on the fact that the competitive environment will be able to quickly bring to market a completely new product. Or, for example, received an order from the customer, perform three days what the competitors would take five, thereby satisfying the customer's request, and save it favor. But if you do not hurry to consider an alternative, take the time to consider all options, it is possible, of course, and come to a good result, but it is possible that during the month, which will leave you thinking, the customer will place their order elsewhere .
Smart manager must from time to time to give the job to his engineers so that they can practice. Take something from their products - for example, a washing machine - and say that you need a new model. Ask them to introduce you to the project in three days. Suppose, after three days they come to you with a ready-made drawings, or even the current model. It suits you the result or not, but your job they performed. Thank them for their efforts, to study the proposal, and say that you are satisfied with it, and that - no, ask how far the proposal on the stage of the start of production and discuss the possibility of further improvement. Thus do you prepare for the practical solution of such problems.
Only practice helps to speed the development of new products and to develop intuition to learn to identify attractive areas of activity. I believe that this is the only way to put into practice the talents of our designers.
Each new product on the market - it is a challenge for us
we believe it is necessary always one step ahead of the others in the policy development of new products. Even if we manage to release a product that can be considered a landmark, we do not allow ourselves to rest on our laurels. We must take every new product as something invented by a rival company, and immediately begin to develop new products that will surpass it, so that as soon as the need arises, to release it to the market. When developing new products to create something like a reasonable drive of useful ideas that can be quickly put to use.
In fact, we can begin to develop, and after will see the products of a competitor, but if our research and development department will always adhere to such tactics, we will continuously play the role of catch-up, and to be at a disadvantage.
Realistically assess their own technology
Once I came across a single device, produced by our company, which is considered an insult to her - it does not deserve to go to the range of such an industry leader as our company. It could even undermine her confidence. But, apparently, the engineer in charge of the production of products, it is more than happy with. He seems not even understand what is wrong.
I am ready to insist that engineers need to be more realistic about its own technology. At least it is necessary to compare it with the achievements of competitors and objectively compare the advantages and disadvantages. If they can not fairly assess their work and compare it with the work of other professionals, so they know little about what their competitors are producing. Such vague notions about the case, obviously, can not go to the benefit of the company.
Responsible for the technology must be open and flexible thinking
Both the scientist and engineer usually focus on one thing - that is the essence of their profession, and there is nothing wrong. But it would be good to keep thinking and flexibility in addition to the concentration to try to absorb the ideas of others.
We are, whatever doing, should not so deeply immersed in business, not to see anything around. If we can not maintain an open mind, we will not, like a sponge, absorb and assimilate that seeing and experiencing, all that we will - it has earned a reputation stubborn stubborn. Or even worse - others may decide that an engineer or technologist must be stubborn stubborn. Expert more than other people to be open to all the world and interested in - this property must be one of the most important for technology, engineering, professional.
However, among the engineers, with whom I have had occasion to deal with, only a few had an open mindset.
Most do not want to go beyond the knowledge and skills that they already have, and exercise extreme stubbornness, if they try to make you think about something new. I sometimes think that such people can become a burden for the company. Let me repeat: it is necessary to strive to ensure that your business does not blind you, not hurt to see what is happening around.
New technologies should not separate people
Today there is technological progress, it will no doubt continue in the future. On the one hand, it will make everyday life richer, more convenient, more comfortable and more enjoyable. However, one can say with confidence that it will make people happier - on the contrary, can lead to unseen before alienation and exploitation. If this happens, mankind faces plight.
To avoid this, it must develop itself, ensuring that technical innovations brought him the true welfare and happiness. Our attitude to life must be based on the fact to try to learn from the achievements of science and technology all the possible benefits.
The key points of product development
Why do we produce the goods
The work we are doing, is the production and sale of goods. Today, however, it is not limited only to the fact that something to produce and sell. I am convinced that we need to think about why we do it. Yes, when I first started the business, it is considered that only work to feed themselves. But later, as the growth of the company, I realized that I have a certain mission.
It is, as I understand it, was to make people happy by producing goods for them. I came to the conclusion that, if the material goods will always be available to all, will be able to get rid of poverty. Money for the purchase of goods, when viewed from the standpoint of society - a kind of tool which is something of a lubricant for him. It follows that the most important thing to have the goods, and if they are, there will always be, and money. If the goods is not, then the money is not no good, because they can not buy anything.
With this approach, the production of material goods - is the path to the creation or augmentation of wealth. Purpose is our company lies in the fact that, increasing output, to contribute to the betterment of society through the industrial production of goods that are available at reasonable prices. We attract a large number of workers, organize their work for the common good and to work together in order to accomplish this purpose.
Based on this idea, we need to let people know what products are available and why they should buy. Our role is to enable them to make their lives richer possible, is known as a particular commodity will improve their lives, and to explain what economic benefits they receive from its acquisition.
Products better prices lower
One of the reasons that led to the creation of Matsushita Elecrtic in 1927. The department of thermoelectric products, there was a desire to produce electric irons. I decided that we really need to find a way to make these useful devices as cheaply as possible, so that they receive more widespread. While electric irons were so expensive that very few people could afford them. If we could reduce the price to a more reasonable level, irons have become available to the mass consumer. Of course, it is not reduced to a mindless lower prices. We had to find a way to produce irons, not inferior to the quality of the existing, and even surpass them, but our efforts have been in vain, if we were not able to reduce the cost of more than a third compared with the best at the time the samples.
We conducted research and found this method and were ready to start production. We decided that we produce monthly 10,000 irons at a price more than 30% lower than the existing one. But we did not know whether we will be able to sell at 10,000 irons in the month. While across the country for a year sold about 100,000 irons, ie less than 10 000 per month, so it was unclear whether the Matsushita succeed, one of the leading manufacturers of household electrical appliances, sell all his goods.
From whatever side you look, we were playing a risky game. We could not quite sell manufactured. The prospects are not encouraging. The risk was great, but if we gave up the mass production of irons and confined small party, we were not able to get enough of their cheaper. And without compromising Matsushita Electric prices in general would not make sense to take up the issue of irons.
Pondering the current dilemma, I decided to go back to the original reasons which have pushed me to take a decision on the issue and sale of irons Matsushita Electric. The problem, as I noted above, was the fact that the irons were too expensive for the mass market. Surely thousands of people want to take advantage of this convenient appliance, but to them, as far as I understand, this waste was unbearable. If the price is greatly reduced, the product will be available for very many people. So higher, I decided our priority must be to maintain low prices.
In the end I made a decision. We will produce 10,000 monthly irons; should stick to the plan. It is extremely hard work of engineers and responsible for the release to complete the development of the iron Matsushita Electric Super Iron (later - National), and four months later the new product was ready for sale. We were able to bring it to market at a retail price of 3.32 yen, which was a lot cheaper irons, which were already on the market.
New irons sold even better than we expected. High quality and reasonable price to satisfy everyone. After all our troubles, we were pleased to learn that 10 000 pieces per month is not enough, so we had to increase production.
Observe how society values your products
I am sure that we should watch closely how our products are evaluated after entering the market.
In those days, when I was directly involved in the production, I once showed one of our sales agents samples of new products, willing him to take over their sale. "Mr. Matsushita, - he said, - you have a lot invested in this job, right?" I was delighted him so that he was almost ready to give the gift of all the electrical fittings, which brought with it.
The reason for my joy was not so much confidence that the product will be sold, but the fact that my partner will surely appreciate all the effort spent by me over the past few months on the creation of this product. Such rejoicing is available only to those who invested in his product his soul. When this feeling will experience all employees Matsushita Electric, there will be no doubt that the company is on the path of genuine service to the people and deserves a genuine public trust.
Willingness to respond to changes
You must be ready to operate in a rapidly changing environment - both in technology and in product range. To think that all is well and on until our current products have been successfully sold, - a sure way to invite disaster. To understand this, special efforts should be made. Be prepared to find new solutions and constant concern for innovation. It is an indisputable fact of this time.
Tips for inventions can be found anywhere
Suggest something useful for the new invention may dilettante. I often advise our researchers to talk about the work not be closed on each other; you need to take to the streets, talk to customers and collect all the information that can stimulate the imagination. These hints are everywhere; the trick is to recognize them.
Fast time to market
To bring some of our products to the desired state, and bring them to the market, it took five years or even more. However, most of our product range, which are the most tradable goods of daily demand, we develop and expose for sale for several months. If you spend on planning and preparation for the production of goods for six months, and even more so a year, rumors about him inevitably reach the competitors, who may well release such products before us.
