Tip: Don’t Fear Innovation - Modern Distribution Management

Tip: Don’t Fear Innovation

Training for new skills makes more sense than trying to hold back the future.
mtow-blog-image

A fear of change gets you nowhere, according to MDM President Ian Heller in Will Automation Replace Sales Reps and Truck Drivers? While new technologies could eventually displace many workers, Heller claims running the other way is not the answer.

"If we fail to keep up with foreign competitors, we will lose those industries and jobs anyway: other nations will implement the technologies we spurn."

Fear of automation is not new. Heller cites a column from a February 11, 1917 issue of the New York Times. The writer notes a British study concerning their post-war labor surplus that recommended “opposing the use of automatic machinery” to create more jobs.

"A hundred years ago, people were concerned about how technology impacts jobs while acknowledging that automation drives international competitiveness," said Heller. "They debated the benefits and threats of 'labor-saving devices' just as we argue over the effects of artificial intelligence and robots on today’s job market."

One company who doesn't shy away from automation is Amazon.

Heller noted that, of the nearly-13,000 job openings at Amazon, 58 percent were in tech-related fields. Only 230 of them were warehouse positions.

"If you compete with Amazon or believe you will in the future, your investments in people should be changing," said Heller. "If you want to remain competitive, you must adopt new technologies. Opponents may be able to slow down advances in automation, but ultimately, they’re inevitable. Training the workforce for new skills makes a lot more sense than trying to hold back the future."

Read more insights into the future of automation in Will Automation Replace Sales Reps and Truck Drivers?

Share this article

About the Author
Recommended Reading
Leave a Reply

Leave a Comment

Sign Up for the MDM Update Newsletter

The MDM update newsletter is your best source for news and trends in the wholesale distribution industry.

2

articles left

Want more Premium content from MDM?

Subscribe today and get:

  • New issues twice each month
  • Unlimited access to mdm.com, including 10+ years of archived data
  • Current trends analysis, market data and economic updates
  • Discounts on select store products and events

Subscribe to continue reading

MDM Premium Subscribers get:

  • Unlimited access to MDM.com
  • 1 year digital subscription, with new issues twice a month
  • Trends analysis, market data and quarterly economic updates
  • Deals on select store products and events

1

article
left

You have one free article remaining

Subscribe to MDM Premium to get unlimited access. Your subscription includes:

  • Two new issues a month
  • Access to 10+ years of archived data on mdm.com
  • Quarterly economic updates, trends analysis and market data
  • Store and event discounts

To continue reading, you must be an MDM Premium subscriber.

Join other distribution executives who use MDM Premium to optimize their business. Our insights and analysis help you enter the right new markets, turbocharge your sales and marketing efforts, identify business partners that help you scale, and stay ahead of your competitors.

Register for full access

By providing your email, you agree to receive announcements from us and our partners for our newsletter, events, surveys, and partner resources per MDM Terms & Conditions. You can withdraw consent at any time.

Learn More about Custom Reports

Request a Market Prospector Demo

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get the MDM Update Newsletter

Wholesale distribution news and trends delivered right to your inbox.

Sign-up for our free newsletter and get:

  • Up-to-date news in a quick-to-read format
  • Free access to webcasts, podcasts and live events
  • Exclusive whitepapers, research and reports
  • And more!