13 Jan ‘What if’ the impossible is just waiting for the right perspective?
Inspired by Van Lai-DuMone’s concept of “following curiosities to achieve impractical possibilities,” as explored in her book What if Pigs Can Fly? – the focus on curiosity as a pathway to innovation aligns with what we frequently observe as manufacturing consultants. The most groundbreaking solutions often start with the simple yet powerful question: “What if?”
As a leading manufacturing consultancy in the UK, we often see how curiosity often gets stifled by traditional thinking, with common assertions echoing throughout UK factories:
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- “But that’s how we’ve always done it”.
- “It’s not possible with our current structure.”
- “The industry standard doesn’t allow for that.”
- “Our current products are too complex to change.”
- “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”
But what if we approached these statements with curiosity instead of acceptance? What if every “that’s impossible” became an invitation to explore? At Innovate we find that cultivating curiosity at every level of the manufacturing process – from shop floor to the boardroom – creates an environment where innovation thrives.
A recent example of this; a previous SME client producing electrical enclosures were struggling with quality control and long lead times, impacting on profitability and potential repeat sales. Instead of accepting conventional wisdom about the limitations of their systems, we encouraged them to be curious about every aspect of their operation. This curiosity driven approach, combined with our product modularisation expertise led to remarkable transformations.
Our forthcoming eBook, “Unlocking Product Modularisation: A Practical Guide to Simplify Production and Maximise Profitability,” explores how this combination of curiosity and technical expertise can revolutionise manufacturing. At its core, product modularisation isn’t just about standardising components – it’s about being curious enough to question every assumption about how products can be designed and assembled.
Through our consulting work we’ve seen how this curious mindset coupled with the principles of modularisation drives efficiency, flexibility and profitability across the manufacturing sector. From Automotive to Aerospace through to Food & Beverage and furniture manufacture, the principles remain consistent: standardisation of components, designs that can easily connect and disconnect with other parts independently and ensuring scalability and interchangeability.
What excites us the most about our approach is how it combines:
- Strategic Design Thinking: Being curious enough to question every component’s purpose and potential.
- Flexible Manufacturing Systems: Continuously exploring new ways to adapt to market demands.
- Sustainable Growth: Asking “what if” about every aspect of our environmental impact.
- Cultural Transformation: Nurturing curiosity-driven teams that challenge convention.
The future of UK manufacturing doesn’t lie in accepting limitations but in being endlessly curious about possibilities. Every ‘impractical’ idea could be tomorrow’s breakthrough innovation. As we face increasingly complex challenges – from supply chain disruptions to skills shortages, this combination of curiosity and technical expertise becomes even more crucial.What ‘impossible’ challenge is your manufacturing business facing right now? What if you approached it with renewed curiosity? Whether it’s product complexity, operational efficiency or supply chain optimisation – perhaps it’s time to ask: “What if?”
Let’s start a conversation about turning those ‘pigs that can’t fly’ moments into your next competitive advantage. The difference between impossible and groundbreaking often comes down to perspective and the courage to remain curious in the face of conventional wisdom.
Unlocking Product Modularisation: A Practical Guide to Simplify Production and Maximise Profitability, available at Amazon from 1st March 2025.
What if Pigs Can Fly? A Practical Guide to Follow Your Curiosities to Achieve Impractical Possibilities (Lai-DuMone, 2024), available at:
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