Guest Blogger: Lizabeth Ardisana

Lizabeth “Beth” Ardisana is CEO of ASG Renaissance in Dearborn and Chairperson of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MHCC); the first woman to lead the 30-member chamber. She makes the case that SE Michigan must not only adapt for the future, but also play to its strengths right now.

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02.22.07
Post No. 1

Heads to Hips

The theme of much of what we talk about in Detroit, in Southeast Michigan and in the whole of Michigan is transformation. We want to transform our image, our industries and our economy. We are looking for the next new thing to invent or to innovate that will transform us. 

For the long term it’s absolutely necessary and much is focused on doing just that – from state funding (the Jobs for the 21st Century Fund for example) to university research.  We need to educate a new generation of “knowledge workers” and our school systems need to change to be able to do that. 

These are tough tasks and they deserve our full effort but they will probably result in jobs and a transformed workforce in the 22nd century.

If we want jobs for the 21st century, however, we need to look at our strengths and adapt them to today’s opportunities. Which means that instead of abandoning our manufacturing focus we will need to adapt those jobs to processes and products where we can be competitive today. 

If we are making heads today – could we make hips? 

A supplier who is machining an automotive head today is making a sophisticated component to very exacting specifications, meeting demanding quality requirements, delivering just in time… at very low profit margins. Machining a hip requires the same sophistication and quality – but has the potential for higher profit margins. Shouldn’t we be flexible and savvy enough to put our talents and resources into efforts that will yield the greatest rewards?

In evolving Michigan’s economy, we should celebrate our strengths –-engineering, creative design, high quality and efficient manufacturing– and adapt them for new products and industries.

Tomorrow: A brief history lesson.

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