Business View Magazine - July 2023

160 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 7 use your products. But we just wanted to say that you guys have a really great brand here, and we’re going to remember it.’ That’s what we’re trying to do from a brand perspective.” Batten spoke of the big picture. “We’ve been in the mechanical-motion, power-transfer business for a long time,” he said, adding, “We just have to continue to stay ahead of the technological curve and have products that are going to be relevant for the period moving forward.” Talking of which, citing things to come, Batten said AI (or artificial intelligence) could play a role in the company’s future. In the administrative side of things, for example, this could mean having a computer doing some work of a basic and routine nature, thus freeing up humans to do more creative work in problem-solving and decision-making efforts. “People are the focus,” said Batten. “Technology is a tool. And better value is the end result.” This focus was crystalized during a discussion on factory automation and Industry 4.0 and how it will play a part at NHI. He continued that the company is moving away from traditional, hierarchical thought paradigms, re the decision-making process, moving them to where the work actually takes place. “We are well into it,” Batten said, “and we have a lot of different focus areas to free up people and teach them how to think scientifically and use specific routines and patterns, so they can make the decisions far more quickly and even better than the senior leaders in most cases. “Our job is to chart the course for the next three to five years and set the challenges for the team and then let them decide and determine how (to fulfill goals),” he added. “I