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🚨In the News

$5 billion. In one facility. For cancer treatments.

Eli Lilly just announced they're building a massive manufacturing site in Virginia focused on antibody-drug conjugates - basically precision missiles that deliver potent medicines directly to diseased cells.

650 jobs. Engineers, scientists, lab techs.

Pretty cool to see American manufacturing tackling humanity's biggest challenges.

🏭 Manufacturing Minute

You know how the shop floor looks perfect before an executive visit?

A little too perfect?

Spotless floors.

Every 5S procedure followed to the letter.

Every operator saying the exact same, coached spiel.

It feels like watching a Broadway show rather than a real manufacturing facility, right?

These staged demonstrations rob us of the most valuable thing we need as leaders - the truth.

I'm a firm believer that plant visits shouldn't be dog and pony shows, orchestrated to portray anything different than what is standard operating practice.

Unfortunately, I've seen way too many of the former.

Beyond just being a waste of already stretched resources, why would an owner or executive of a company want to see anything other than what is the real story?

With anything other than the truth, leadership makes decisions based on fantasy, not reality.

What I love seeing instead:

• Real operators sharing real frustrations

• Equipment breaking down during the tour (it happens!)

• Honest conversations about what's actually working

If you're preparing for executive visits by hiding problems, you're missing the biggest opportunity to actually solve them.

What's the most authentic plant visit you've ever experienced?

P.S., Whether you're trying to make sense of Industry 4.0, struggling with legacy systems, or just need a sounding board from someone who's navigated similar waters, let's talk. Book Your 30-Minute Strategy Call →