# Start With the Problem, Not the Technology w/ Jonathon Hensley

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2020-10-06
- Length: 26m
- Episode: 17
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-10-06-start-with-the-problem-not-the-technology-w-jonathon-hensley
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-e8c8f8b6-9b93-41f4-8df3-7c4ad0d866cc

## Summary

Jonathon Hensley, co-founder and CEO of Emerge Interactive, discusses how manufacturers can avoid 'shiny object syndrome' by starting with business problems rather than technology. He highlights two critical challenges: incomplete customer journey mapping and fragmented data accessibility, which hinder operational agility and customer experience. Hensley cites John Deere and GE Health as examples of companies successfully unifying digital experiences and emphasizes that 84% of digital transformation initiatives fail without a strategic foundation mapping the current state of the business.

## Chapters

- [0:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-10-06-start-with-the-problem-not-the-technology-w-jonathon-hensley#t=57) Introduction: Shiny Object Syndrome and Digital Products
- [3:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-10-06-start-with-the-problem-not-the-technology-w-jonathon-hensley#t=224) The Problem with Underperforming Websites and Fragmented Apps
- [8:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-10-06-start-with-the-problem-not-the-technology-w-jonathon-hensley#t=481) Customer Experience and the Need for a Unified Journey
- [8:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-10-06-start-with-the-problem-not-the-technology-w-jonathon-hensley#t=500) Data Accessibility and the Cost of Silos
- [16:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-10-06-start-with-the-problem-not-the-technology-w-jonathon-hensley#t=966) Internal Challenges: Supply Chain, Labor, and Safety
- [20:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-10-06-start-with-the-problem-not-the-technology-w-jonathon-hensley#t=1246) The Foundation of Digital Transformation: Mapping Current State

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Emerge Interactive (company)
- John Deere (company)
- GE Health (company)
- Toyota (company)
- HubSpot (tool)
- Gorilla 76 (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How to Effectively Handle the Digital Transformation Journey | Sean Parham, Corporate VP of Product Management, ABB Ability](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2019-06-19-how-to-effectively-handle-the-digital-transformation-journey-sean-parham-corpora) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Roadblocks of IoT Adoption | INLIGN's Rachel Richter & Russ Shumaker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-02-22-roadblocks-of-iot-adoption-inligns-rachel-richter-russ-shumaker) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Industry 4.0 Trends and Data That Actually Matters with Jeff Winter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-12-14-industry-4-0-trends-and-data-that-actually-matters-with-jeff-winter) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The Biggest Obstacles to Adoption in Commercial IoT | Software AG's Jonathan Weiss](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-11-02-the-biggest-obstacles-to-adoption-in-commercial-iot-software-ags-jonathan-weiss) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Transitioning to the Internet of Intelligence | Zebra Technologies’ Drew Ehlers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-09-28-transitioning-to-the-internet-of-intelligence-zebra-technologies-drew-ehlers) (IoT For All Podcast)

## Citing this page

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