Each month, Tony Uphoff, visionary CEO of Thomasnet.com, joins Cloud Wars Live for a recurring segment. “Uphoff on Industry” will explore the innovations, upheavals, and breakthroughs reshaping the the world of manufacturing and industrial markets. Join Tony and me as we discuss disruptive new trends in the digital-industrial world. Today, we talk evolutions in business and manufacturing, including a trend towards re-shoring in North America.
Episode 14
In this episode: Going into our 10th week of the pandemic, 30+ million Americans have lost their jobs. And while there is more hardship to come, Tony says that the rollercoaster ride – and the emotional impact of that – is maybe getting a little less scary.
To start, Tony and I talk about one business-related industry that is never going to be the same: events. Convention centers aren’t opening up anytime soon. So if the core value of a trade show is connecting buyer and seller, meeting prospects, and spending time with customers, what can replace that experience? Tony gives an answer (hint: nobody needs to fly, and nobody gets too drunk the night before).
The Grateful Dead is on Tony’s mind, and he quotes the lyrics by the late, great Robert Hunter. “Sometimes the light’s all shining on me. Other times I can barely see. Lately, it occurs to me, what a long strange trip it’s been.” That’s the era we’re living in right now.
Also in this episode:
- 75% of critical medications are not made in this country—but that is probably going to change
- The best data analytics package is not going to give you the answer
- Titles and certifications are meaningless
- Bill McDermott, CEO of ServiceNow says, “We’re going to come out of this stronger.”
You can also stream the audio-only version of this episode:
Highlights
'The challenge for many of these event companies is the companies that are going to shift dollars now into digital are going to see the scale and the efficiency of digital.' #CloudWars Click To Tweet 'The pandemic is accelerating this idea of re-shoring to North American manufacturing. #CloudWars Click To Tweet 'From an American point of view, the idea that we would outsource 85% of the manufacturing capacity for PPE equipment—and by the way that's not including the outsourcing of antibiotics and other things—is terrifying.' #CloudWars Click To Tweet
Cloud Wars Live Digital All-Stars
Tony Uphoff is one of our regular Digital All-Stars. The All-Stars are experts who will appear in regular video podcasts focused on the critical themes shaping (and re-shaping!) the business world in the digital age of 2020. Our intention is to provide regular chunks of timely ideas, insights and conversations on high-priority subjects from industry veterans with diverse backgrounds.
