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As we begin a new year, we often find ourselves looking backwards and forwards at the same time. What has happened in the past few years, and how can we learn from it to improve the future? This reflection and introspection has perhaps been even more necessary than usual in the last two years, with upheavals such as COVID-19, supply chain disruptions, and the so-called Great Resignation that sees people leaving their jobs at an unprecedented rate.
These changes have affected every industry, and the additive manufacturing industry is no exception. In a recent live streamed conversation, our CEO Avi Reichental and Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Ecosystems Sarah Goehrke discussed the lessons learned in 2021 and the state of 3D printing and work environments overall as 2022 starts off.
The pandemic altered a great deal about the way we do business, particularly the way we connect with others. Suddenly, instead of meeting in person, everyone was learning to use new tools such as Zoom as well as relying more heavily on written communication.
Rather than seeing this as an impediment to connection, however, Avi believes that it is an asset.
“It made us stronger, more agile, more resilient, and probably more connected, because it’s so much harder to connect now on a human level that the quality of the connections, when you get them, is pretty awesome,” he said.
Both Avi and Sarah emphasized the importance of openness and even vulnerability in the workplace, in contrast to the traditional idea that employees should leave their personal selves at home and present a formal façade. This is becoming much more difficult as we shift from a strict work/home division and into a more integrated environment, in which more and more people are working remotely from their home offices. Suddenly the workplace is in the home and vice versa. With children and pets popping into view during Zoom meetings, it’s nearly impossible to keep our personal lives hidden.
Thus, a company that welcomes the whole individual, not just the professional face, is more appealing than ever, offering a sense of psychological safety to employees.
“When you work with a strong team that values the human aspect, you feel more comfortable bringing your human self to that, even if it’s through your computer screen,” said Sarah.
Valuing the humans behind the products not only makes employees more comfortable, it improves productivity and innovation. When employees feel that they are appreciated as people, not just workers, their creativity and motivation tend to bloom more readily. A growing company like Nexa3D, which emphasizes the individual value of each team member, is an example of how this mindset quickly leads to multifaceted success.
“No one pretends that industrial revolution is easy, that any revolution has been simple or straightforward or in any way linear,” continued Sarah, “but it’s the people behind these innovations that really drive strategy, drive success, and are the push behind everything.”
Nexa3D is also influenced by the infectious positivity of its leader. Avi sees even the Great Resignation as an opportunity for growth. It has offered amazing potential for recruitment, he said, and with tenacity, an expanding company can pursue the best minds in the industry.
He also noted that a shift toward a collaborative mentality leads to greater and faster innovation, as opposed to the secretive, closed-off attitude that companies have held in the past. The additive manufacturing industry – and Industry 4.0 in general – is known for embracing an open-source approach, using the global connectivity of the Internet to share ideas and grow together. This way of thinking and creating is a large part of the reason that these sectors are moving forward at such a rapid pace.
Avi and Sarah talked about the importance of sharing core values within a company, as well as appreciating the individual values that each employee brings. One of Nexa3D’s strongest values is sustainability, which it pursues with determination, integrating it into its products and business model rather than just paying lip service. One example of Nexa3D’s commitment to sustainability is the design of the XiP desktop 3D printer, scheduled to ship in Q2 of 2022. Among other features, the XiP is made from aluminum, the single most recycled material on Earth – and it’s easy to recycle anywhere, rather than requiring shipment back to the manufacturing facility or elsewhere.
The XiP is also designed to last, with its modular design making it easy to assemble, disassemble and repair at home. Instead of following the trend of planned obsolescence that so many manufacturers currently use to force customers into a cycle of discarding older products and buying new ones every few years, Nexa3D chooses to work with its consumers to improve and grow. As Avi and Sarah wrapped up their discussion, they encouraged listeners to reach out to Nexa3D with ideas about how to enhance the XiP.
This livestream was only the first of 2022; Avi and Sarah, plus an exciting roster of well-known thought leaders, will return on a monthly basis to discuss industry trends.
If you missed the livestream, you can watch the replay on your choice of many platforms: YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or directly on the Nexa3D website.
