When was the last time you attended an Industry 4.0 conference with people from around the world?

For me, it was yesterday at 12:30 PM on Clubhouse!

Have you heard about Clubhouse?  No, it is not part of the Mickey Mouse Club (that aired from the late 1950’s nor is it from the more recent series that aired from 2006 to 2016).  It is also not located in a treehouse in your backyard.

Clubhouse is a new invite-only voice-based social media app.  In the app, users can enter different rooms to listen or participate in a conversation. Users can see who else is present and can also see their profiles. The person who made the room is the one who bestows speaking privileges to participants.

COVID-19 has changed many of our habits.  We are working from home and are using our computers even more than before to meet our co-workers, suppliers, and customers.  Clubhouse feels like a natural extension of our “new normal.”

A group of diverse individuals with different professions and from different parts of the world have come together to form the “Industry 4.0 Club” on Clubhouse.  Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0, delivering better experiences to consumers, better profits to manufacturers and better jobs to factory workers. From weekly chats on the nature of factory work to the influence of IIOT, Industry 4.0 Club gathers a broad range of perspectives to speak about the future of manufacturing.  Industry 4.0 Club received its own club designation in early March and already has hundreds of members.

Why are people joining our “Industry 4.0 Club”?  They join for the conversation and to learn.  We meet Monday through Thursday from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.  We discuss all topics relevant to Industry 4.0.  Each day of the week we focus on a different theme.

Mondays.  If you work on the technical side of Industry 4.0, you will find Mondays particularly interesting.  On Mondays, we venture into technical topics around IIoT.  One engaging discussion we recently held was on the topic of network security.  Several technical experts were sharing their concerns and approaches to this timely subject.

Tuesdays.  Tuesdays are dedicated to discussing the future of Industry 4.0 with a focus on augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.  Not just for the technical crowd, this will be as interesting as Mondays with a focus on the evolutions that will be possible on the shop floor.

Wednesdays.  Wednesday is dedicated to a Fireside Chat with an Industry Leader.  We have had the pleasure of exchanging with Joachim Hensch, former Plant Manager for Hugo Boss.  Joachim shared the journey he led in the Industry 4.0 transformation of the Hugo Boss plant in Turkey.  We more recently heard from Nadine Rahman, CEO of IFM Solutions.  Nadine shared her journey from her early career at SAS to her role today as CEO and her insights in the digital industry.  Nadine spoke about the 4th industrial revolution:  it isn’t a revolution, it’s an evolution.

Thursdays.  Every Thursday we dedicate our hour to discuss a topic that focuses on people, process, or culture.  We have had several discussions around the integration of robots into manufacturing and how this will impact the workforce.  Should robots replace people on the job?  Which jobs?  What are the social implications from these changes?   We also have discussed how to engage the manufacturing shop floor in the Industry 4.0 evolution.  We have outlined the role of management and how to lead this journey.

Each day brings unique discussions and insights not found in any journal, article, or on any other social media platform.  How can you participate in these great discussions?  As of today, you must have an I-phone since Clubhouse only operates on iOS.  And you must receive an invitation from a current Clubhouse member.  If you are looking for an invitation but don’t know anyone who is in Clubhouse, reach out to me through LinkedIn and I will be glad to find you an invitation.

What are you doing during your lunch hour from 12:30 to 1:30 PM eastern time Monday through Thursday?  Come join the “Industry 4.0 Club” on Clubhouse to learn and participate in this dynamic social media platform, and to further the acceleration of the adoption of Industry 4.0!  And since no one can see you, if you want to wear your Mickey Mouse ears or sit in your treehouse you are welcome to do so.

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About the Author: Mike Ungar is a Certified FocalPoint Business Coach and Trainer.  He has 35 years of experience with Michelin in manufacturing and human resources.  Mike is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and the Clemson MBA program.