“Frame your future by what you can accomplish next, not by the things that you have already done!” – Futurist Jim Carroll
Daily Inspiration: “Start each and every day with relentless optimism. Immediately banish any signs of pessimism!”
“Start each and every day with relentless optimism. Immediately banish any signs of pessimism!” – Futurist Jim Carroll
‘’ We have seen more change in the last 5 years than we have seen in the last 100 – and yet there is so much more to come. But with economic, political, career and business model volatility all around us, it’s all too easy to fall prey to a swirl of negative thinking — with the result that you lose sight of the fascinating opportunities from what comes next.
The best antidote? An uplifting, hopeful and motivational view into the future. I’ll often take my audiences on a tour of the trends which are reshaping our world in a great way. A renaissance in thinking and imagination, enabled by 3D printing, advanced robotics and self-driving cars, space tourism, and concepts involving asteroid mining, vertical farming, and other fascinating trends. An era that provides opportunities for the transformation of entire industries such as healthcare, retail, agriculture, sports and transportation through big bold thinking. The acceleration of ideas with scientific advancements that are allowing us to solve some of the biggest challenges of our time having to do with education, the environment, energy and water. A generation of millennials who know that it is a great time to think big ideas and do great things with their boundless enthusiasm and global awareness!’’
Daily Inspiration: “Be bold in your thinking, brash in your planning, fast in your actions!”
“Be bold in your thinking, brash in your planning, fast in your actions!” – Futurist Jim Carroll
Daily Inspiration: “Don’t be afraid of dreaming too big. Be afraid of thinking too small!’
“Don’t be afraid of dreaming too big. Be afraid of thinking too small!’ – Futurist Jim Carroll
Golfing, 3D Printing, and the Future of Manufacturing: A Story of a Fellow Printing His Own Golf Wedges
Over the years, I’ve done many talks within the manufacturing industry, putting into perspective the real trends and opportunities for innovation that will allow for the reinvention of this sector. Lots of CEOs are bringing me in for a leadership meeting, knowing that their future will come from aligning to fast-paced trends (as opposed to wishful thinking as found in the current political environment). Much of the opportunity for innovation in the sector involves advanced technologies, digitization, new manufacturing methodologies and process — and of course, 3D printing or additive manufacturing.
I’ve been speaking on stage about 3D printing for well over ten years. The concept of having a printer that can ‘print’ physical things is a fascinating one and is evolving at a furious pace. Earlier this week, I did a talk for a manufacturing organization in New Haven, CT, that included a detailed overview of who is doing innovative work in this area. I’ll blog about that later.
For now, though, a lot of the opportunity from 3D printing comes from the ability for rapid prototyping and design. It unshackles organizations from having to commit to a full production run upon finalizing a product design; instead, it leads to an iterative process in which the product design can be continually changed. In addition, there is quite a bit of ‘grassroots’, tinkering innovation around 3D printing, with folks fooling around in their garage or home workshop to develop fascinating new products. They can then use contract 3D printing manufacturers to turn their ideas into a physical product.
To that end, here’s a great story! Last year, when I was the opening keynote speaker for the annual PGA Merchandise Show, I spoke to the Professional Golfers Association as to how quickly 3D printed golf clubs will become an opportunity for innovation within the game. Watch the clip.
Imagine my surprise the other day when I’m out for a round at my home golf club, Credit Valley Golf and Country Club, and meet a fellow member named Gary Woolgar. He’s actually 3D printing his own custom wedges, using his first prototype on that day. (I’m not quite sure I understand the design concept, but then again, my golf game is a bit of a shambles right now).
It’s such a fascinating story that I told it on stage last week when I headlined a session on manufacturing innovation for a global, $2 billion company. Watch this clip too!
This is one of the most exciting aspects of 3DPrinting — the world around is changing at a furious pace, and sometimes, it’s driven by engineers who have an idea, the tools to test the idea, and the initiative to make it work. Organizations need to embrace the same type of thinking: grassroots innovation, tinkering, and trying out new ideas, methodologies, and technologies.
If you are in the manufacturing sector, you need to empower your team to do the types of things that Gary is doing. It’s only by experimenting with the tools of the fast pace future that you can discover the opportunities they will present. In other words, you need more guys like Gary around!
Daily Inspiration: “An economist will tell you how the economy is doing today. A futurist will let you know where it will be tomorrow!”
“An economist will tell you how the economy is doing today. A futurist will let you know where it will be tomorrow!” – Futurist Jim Carroll
’This was my stage last week as I spoke to a global organization on the future of the Internet of Things (#iot), industry disruption, smart infrastructure and more.
My role has me advising some of the worlds largest organizations on the trends that will challenge and change their world, but provide opportunity if they align themselves appropriately.
I’ve found that people often confuse a futurist with economist.
That’s so crazy to me, I see myself as the exact opposite of an economist!
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