2019 AWARD FINALIST SPOTLIGHT: Ford Motor Company - Finalist in the Operational Excellence in Automotive & Transportation Category

Read this article about Ford Motor Company, one of our finalists, in the category Best Achievement of Operational Excellence in Automotive & Transportation, selected by the independent judging panel, for the 2019 Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Industry Awards program. Click here to read articles on other finalists.

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Established in 1903, Ford Motor Company has a rich automotive heritage primarily based in the Midwest. In 2015, Ford launched the Ford Smart Mobility plan, intending to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, data and analytics.

That same year, a team of 10 advanced researchers, engineers and scientists at Ford began creating connections between automotive and computer technology in the birthplace of the digital revolution: Palo Alto, California. As we see the tech boom migrate into the automotive industry, it makes perfect sense to have a presence here, creating direct access to the region’s brilliant minds, technology startups, university engagements, and much more.

In 2016, Ford management made the decision to dramatically increase the size of operations in Silicon Valley, expanding its 31,000 square feet of office space to 180,000 square feet. Twenty months later, the team moved into the new research facility. Named Greenfield Labs, it is one of three main research facilities within Ford across the globe, with a team of 300 people. The team’s focus is on accelerating our research in strategic technological competencies.

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In building the facility and adapting our way of work, we have enabled Ford to attract some of the best Silicon Valley talent. Our location has allowed us to leverage the latest thinking and brightest minds at local world-class institutions such as Stanford University and the University of California-Berkeley. The award-winning building has enabled us to host many expositions, both internally and externally. We have also been able to develop young talent through hosting programs like Girls Who Code and STEAM.

The creation of Greenfield Labs has not only led to multiple innovations, patents and business opportunities. Through building our Silicon Valley presence and reputation, we have engaged with local startups, venture capitalists and universities. All of these opportunities have enabled Ford to find new ways of working that have permeated throughout the whole organization. For example, collaborating with Stanford’s d.school has led to the adoption of Human Centered Design throughout the global organization. In summary, the creation of Greenfield Labs has allowed Ford to make strides forward in creating smart vehicles for a smart world.

About the Awards

The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards have been established to showcase globally the most outstanding organizational achievements through the application of Operational Excellence programs. Click here to view the Press Release.

The winners for all categories and for The Platinum Awards will be announced at The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Summit & Industry Awards on Wednesday March 20th, 2019, from 6.30pm, in the Venetian Ballroom at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort^®.

The Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards are open to all organizations, both private and public sector, across the globe, which have implemented Operational Excellence programs to deliver outstanding business results.

The 2019 Awards will be held in conjunction with the Business Transformation & Operational Excellence World Summit on March 20, 2019 in the Venetian Ballroom at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando™

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The issues in this article are just one of topic areas that are going to be discussed at the Business Transformation & Operational Excellence World Summit & Industry (BTOES19). March 18-22, 2019, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort^®

BTOES is the industry’s biggest and best, senior-level, cross-industry gathering of Business Transformation & Operational Excellence industry leaders and senior executives.

It also hosts the Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards, which showcase globally the most outstanding organizational achievements through the application of Operational Excellence programs.

The summits hosts a number of private forums for C-Level & Global corporate-level leaders as well as business unit heads.

With over 150 speakers, over 100 sessions, 12 Keynotes, 9 Track Themes, 5 parallel tracks, 60+ track sessions, 50 roundtable discussions, 20 Interactive Workshops, 6 Thought Leader Panels, 5 Leaders Boardrooms, 5 co-located events, the Industry Awards Program, Site Visits, 20+ hours of social networking including 2 gala cocktail parties, dinners, numerous group activities, this is the ultimate event to benchmark, network and drive Operational Excellence to the next level.

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Speakers

Agenda

BTOES19 Awards

There is a strong focus on Cultural Transformation, Customer Delight, Sustaining an Operational Excellence program, Need for end-to-end Business Transformation, Keeping up with new technologies/impact of digitalization and Leadership Buy-in & Understanding. We dedicated two tracks to advanced technologies, such as AI, Machine Learning, RPA, Predictive Analytics, Blockchain, Cloud infrastructure etc.

The agenda is designed to encourage active meaningful conversations though all day enhanced networking and interaction opportunities, including

All-day Refreshment & Themed Breaks
1¼ Hour Hot Breakfast Networking Sessions
1½ Hour Hot Plated Networking Lunches with Topic & Industry Sector focussed tables
1½ Hour Roundtable Sessions by Topic & Industry Sector.
Keynote & Themes Panel Sessions
Hosted Welcome Receptions from 5.30pm
Expanded more lavish Awards Program
Newly launched Night Summit for attendees to meet after dinner