If there is one machine that can’t stop working, it’s the coffee machine. If that machine stopped working for one day… It doesn’t bear thinking about.
9.30. Tools down, laptops closed. Fika time.
Fika is the lifeblood of a Swedish company. It’s a coffee break, afternoon tea, sandwich stop, and tradition all rolled into one. It’s where decisions are made, ideas presented, friendships formed.
Tom, Gunilla and Johanna are sitting together with Tobias, one of the more experienced operators. Tom is describing his drive on the dogleg par 5. Gunilla is talking about her motorbike. Johanna is boasting about how her and Tobias beat them at Padel again. Yesterday they all had a meeting with Johan to hear more about RS Production software. They have planned to present it to the team.
Tom stands up. “As you know, we have had a few problems in production. Johanna has recommended a new software called RS Production to help us with this. How will it help us?”
He clears his throat and drinks a sip of coffee.
“Think of Padel. Most of you have played Padel against Gunilla and me. I run a lot and sweat a lot but never win. Gunilla doesn’t win because I get in the way."
“Have you played Padel against Tobias and Johanna? Tobias hardly runs. He hardly sweats. And neither does Johanna. They are in control. They are almost impossible to beat. Why?”
“Because they talk to each other, and Tobias doesn’t get in the way,” laughs Gunilla.
“Exactly! Our machines today are like a big sweaty me getting in the way of a hard-working Gunilla. All energy, no efficiency. No communication. Unfortunately for me, the sweatiest doesn’t always win the game. "
“We need to be able to talk to our machines and let our machines talk to us. Honestly, I don’t understand it completely myself. Johanna knows a little more. But as far as I understand, RS Production will turn our machines and operators into Tobias and Johanna instead of sweaty Tom and frustrated Gunilla.”
After Tom has stopped talking, questions start flying around the fika room:
- Will it cost any of us our jobs?
- Is it easy to learn?
- What will it mean for us in HR?
Meanwhile, please download the latest chapter of our new series, "Your factory can become more profitable and sustainable".