Transforming manufacturing: A conversation with Tresa Gowland

In this episode of Catalyst, Tammy is joined by Tresa Gowland, Manufacturing and Hi-Tech Industry Leader at Launch by NTT DATA. Tresa shares how her early experience on the factory floor continues to shape her approach to innovation today. Tammy and Tresa explore how manufacturers can adopt new technologies without losing sight of the people who make the work possible.

Highlights from the episode include:

• The ask behind the ask. When manufacturers come looking for modernization, what they often need is cultural change. Tresa listens for what clients aren’t saying outright, because the workarounds they’ve built up over decades in a legacy environment can become sources of pride and identity. Ignoring that human layer is a fast path to failed adoption.
• Start with no-regrets use cases. Technologies like remote assist offer immediate value. They can bridge the gap between older and younger workers, letting veterans share their expertise on-demand while building the knowledge corpus that AI can eventually learn from.
• Redefine what it means to be the hero. Experienced workers may resist change if it threatens their identity. Reframing their role from the hero that saves the day to the hero whose knowledge is essential to building the future helps people open up and share their knowledge.

Check out the full episode to hear more about the psychology of change, Tresa’s memories of touring the Cray Research supercomputer facility in rural Wisconsin and what she’s calling the Sci-Fi to Shop Floor moment we’re living through right now.

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Please note that the views expressed in this episode may not necessarily be those of NTT DATA.