“Use the methods of tomorrow to solve problems of today.”
This episode shifts from the “what happened” to the “what it takes.” Part 2 of the WEF Lighthouse series looks at important lessons learned, the mistakes that shaped thinking, and the practical advice for getting started or accelerating a digital transformation journey. From building trust and changing culture to defining business value and scaling what works, our panelists are sharing their business outcomes with our listeners in this episode.
Tune in to hear what the world’s most advanced factories wish they had known sooner and how their experience can accelerate yours.
Top 5 takeaways
- Start with business truth—not technology. Transformation begins with a real business problem, a defined value target, and a willingness to challenge assumptions. Once you align internally, technology will follow.
- Build for scale from the start. Our Lighthouse leaders didn’t chase pilots, they built governance models, operating processes, and systems designed to scale what works and stop what doesn’t. Progress isn’t accidental—it’s engineered.
- Transformation is a people sport. Bring your team along on your transformation journey. If you empower and inspire the people closest to the work, they will look for areas to improve and do so in a more committed and engaged way.
- Uncover your own best practices. Each organization succeeded by aligning patterns to their own culture, ambition, and challenges. Lighthouse excellence comes from decisive choices, disciplined execution, and practicing rigor every day.
- Start acting like a Lighthouse with CESMII’s help! The CESMII Smart Manufacturing Acceleration Roadmap Framework provides a blueprint to guide your journey. Get started today with the CESMII roadmap program and tools.
Special thanks to our panelists:
- Bart Talloen – Executive Fellow at World Economic Forum & Former Johnson & Johnson Executive
- Anthony Loy – VP Industrial Digital Transformation Consulting Schneider Electric
- Biswaranjan Sen – Global Chief Product Supply Chain Officer at Unilever
- Jackie Jung – VP of Global Operations Strategy at Western Digital
- Zongchang Liu – Rotating CEO at Foxconn
- Jeff Winter, Host and Smart Manufacturing Advisor at CESMII
