Shoshana Zuboff (of Harvard Business School) is starting a new column in "Fast Company" magazine the first of which is in the January issue Read Article Here. She is exploring the evolution of the economic model in use today. She explains that "Companies are rooted in an inward-focused business logic invented a century ago to mass-manufacture goods for mass consumers. That logic emphasizes concentration, command and control, cost, and efficiency." She argues that this model no longer works because we as consumers are getting frustrated with the un-responsiveness of vendors such as HMOs and telephone companies.
What does this mean for manufacturing enterprises? Will we obsolete ourselves by going only for the cheap goods model? Are the concepts of "mass customization" the way to differentiate?
How do manufacturers communicate these requirements to the production employees? We have a wealth of talent and understanding in those employees. Do they have the tools necessary to make the decisions to manufacture products that delight the individual customer?