DO YOUR core values support and promote innovation?

Last Thursday night I attended the Ai Group Hunter Manufacturing Innovation Cluster Meeting which is a meeting of the minds in Hunter to promote innovation in the manufacturing space.

In the past I attended the meeting with a work related technology interest (BlueZone Group), along with a personal interest to support and grow people.

Now I am involved because I have my own business in helping people achieve success in life, and an interest in technology.

I love the work Adrian and the AiG in a myriad of capacities to support and nurture learning, innovation, and building communities across inter generational boundaries within the manufacturing business space. Cultivating young people as the future (and current) leaders through providing access to groups such as this where leaders from business and education mix it with young students (from Year 9 - millennials) creating the link between the text book and what is happening now in the real world, and giving a voice to the millennials to help us shape our businesses in the future.

A stunningly engaging presentation from Andreas Antonaides, Director/Lead Engineer, Obelisk Systems whose home page on their website reads:

EMBEDDED AEROSPACE SOLUTIONS
So, you want out-of-this-world hardware?

Andreas took on a journey to outer space and back again. Through the history of space exploration, with “the Russians” and “the American’s”, reminded us that Australia played a key role in the space race in the 50’s and 60’s and that there is no “space” manufacturing  in Australia anymore …. Until now

In addition to the interesting technology speak, Andreas delivered it with passion and I was spellbound as I watched him hop excitedly from foot to foot as one does who really loves what they are doing! His youthful exuberance was filled REPEATEDLY with vocabulary such as:

•  “Do you want to see something really cool!?”;
• “Cool”;
•  “So it goes into space, SO WHAT? What does it do and how does that benefit people?”;
• “How can I make a difference?” ; and
• “We love Newcastle!”

Andreas went on to tell us how it is important for Obelisk to share their knowledge through creating educational tools that provide a way for schools (future engineers) to learn about putting hardware into space.

I can take a guess at what Andreas’s (Obelisk) core values might be:

1. Making a Difference
2. Sharing knowledge through education
3. Thinking Globally and acting locally
4. Knowing who you are and what you stand for in business

Have I hit the button? See for yourself on the Obelisk website.

It was fantastic to bear witness to someone who walks their own talk. 

Andreas is certainly a man of action. His team loves the challenge (engineering and business) as Obelisk solves the engineering issues that come with operating in the space environment and jumps through the Space Industry hoops to meet industry mandatory requirements for design, testing, and manufacture through the Technology Readiness Level process.

 After a short discussion my interpretation of his journey so far is:

1. Get a degree and learn about the “Cool” stuff - SPACE hardware
2. Start your own business
3. Surround yourself with the right people
4. Find financial backing, which he incidentally secured after going through a process “video in front of his computer one day, shortlisted to the top 20 from 300 applicants the next day, and then turning down an offer because of the terms”‘
5. Develop hardware and sell it (educational tools for schools)
6. Get a gig on the next space launch with NASA (in discussion)

How long has been in business you ask? – 8 months! Just out of University …… you do the math.

David Bonzo from St Phillips High school was there with three STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) students who listened attentively with great interest.  Guess who they were talking to at the end?

This month’s meeting was hosted by Schneider Electric in Cardiff.

What does Schneider Electric and Obelisk have in common?

… Common values that support innovation.

Brad Yager’s, Director of Offer Management & Business Development, presentation was underpinned by a palpable love for what he does and dedication to the Schneider business.

I take a guess as to why? His presentation was filled with word such as “more efficient”, "reducing the carbon footprint”, “making things easier for people” through “connectivity, cloud, mobility, and analytics”, “5% spent of R&D each year”, and “key products developed in Newcastle”.

My guess at their company values:

1. Making a difference;
2. Caring about customer outcomes;
3. Commitment to innovation.

See for yourself at Schneider Electrics website.

Talk about innovation – the Ai Group, spearheaded by Adrian Price has approached the building of a manufacturing “community” by hosting a world first Hunter Makers Festival. Adrian is currently looking for exhibitors for this festival, so if you are innovative and in this space make sure you contact him.

Do your core values support and promote innovation?

Thanks Ai Group for creating energy in this space.