When my niece was in town, I took her on a farm tour, not realizing that it would be an education not just about animals but also about technology in action. I was amazed at how much is automated on the farm.
For example, machines monitor how much milk the new calves are eating and alert the staff on their smartphone app when one is behind their recommended allotment. Cows are monitored for how much milk they are giving, and the machine automatically shuts off when the flow slows. Automatic sprinklers turn on when the barns reach 76 degrees, and vents open and close based on the temperature. The hair from the animals is tested to determine their DNA and projected health, allowing the farmer to anticipate breeding patterns and whether to sell the cow.
Pretty much every aspect of the farm utilized some form of technology or modern science, and because of their investment, they are able to manage 600 cows with six full-time employees. I thought of the farm this week when I read about McDonald’s automating the cooking of their french fries. It seems that they, too, are utilizing technology to address the labor shortage and reduce costs.
There are certain aspects of service that benefit greatly from the human touch but monitoring cows and making fries are not among them. Help your organization get comfortable turning over functions to a robot or machine. Soon it will feel like the most natural way to run your operation.
