What’s Next at 3M

"What's Next at 3M” shares conversations from a company focused on science and innovation and its response to some of today's biggest challenges.

Meet Ron Stafne, a counterpoint to the Great Resignation 06/06/2022

Meet Ron Stafne, a counterpoint to the Great Resignation There’s a flip side to the Great Resignation, and it might be embodied in one Ron Stafne. Fresh out of high school in 1965, Ron went looking for a job and found 3M. Fifty-seven years later, he’s still here, working as a lean value stream engineer at our ceramic fibers manufacturing plant in Menomonie, Wisconsin. What's kept him engaged for so long? “I just say ask questions. There's no question that is not meaningful, and that's the only way to continue to broaden your knowledge,” Ron told us. “Just continue to ask for a sharing of information. I still learn stuff. Each day it seems, new things come up. We have such a unique business and product that it's just fun.” So, in a time when everybody is talking about leaving, we talked with Ron about why he stays, what motivates him to continue working into his later years, and the sign he’s looking for to determine when it’s the right time to retire. /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/23319113

Purpose, culture and the pandemic 05/30/2022

Purpose, culture and the pandemic As employees adapt to new ways of working, companies are reacting to the changes, and trying to get ahead of trends like the Great Resignation. But with more opportunities than employees in some industries, it’s been an easier decision for millions of workers over the last two years to leave their jobs rather than stick it out. So, how do employers attract and keep talent for the long haul? Guest: Zoe Dickson, executive vice president and chief Human Resources officer, 3M Season 2, Episode 5 /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/23201174

Have you seen my 5G antenna? 05/23/2022

Have you seen my 5G antenna? As the 5G rollout continues around the world, one thing is certain – it’s going to take a lot of antennas for the upgraded signal to reach everyone. And that means a lot of visual disruption – or maybe not, if 3M's Taesung Kim has anything to say about it. He's working on a few new product introductions tied to the broader 5G rollout, and one of them – a transparent antenna – sounds like it's straight science fiction. Guest: Taesung Kim, segment marketer, Electronics Materials Solutions Division Season 2, Episode 4 /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/23167976

Getting back to something like normal 05/16/2022

Getting back to something like normal As we go back to doing things that we did before the pandemic – maybe even going into the office a couple times a week – Jonathan Hefner of 3M’s Employee Assistance Program says our old ways aren’t going to feel the same immediately. “We're all going to have to get used to things. Be patient with each other. Be kind and forgiving with each other and slowly, as we spend more and more time together, then we'll figure out that little dance that we need to do to get re-engaged with each other,” he said. Guest: Jonathan Hefner, 3M EAP manager Season 2, Episode 3 /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/23103014

It's okay to not be okay 05/09/2022

It's okay to not be okay Anxiety & depression have risen across all age groups during the pandemic. How can we get help, be of help and make mental health a priority? “Giving ourselves permission to not be okay is important. Just to acknowledge and let our pride suffer a little bit. We're probably not going to perform exactly as we have in in the past. … we're all under pressure. We're just going to be patient and kind with each other.” Guest: Jonathan Hefner, manager, 3M Employee Assistance Program Season 2, episode 2 /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/22993928

Disrupting how medicine is made 05/02/2022

Disrupting how medicine is made The ramp-up in vaccine manufacturing during the pandemic shows us how medicines could be made in the future – faster than before, thanks in part to disruptive technology. That's why we’re talking with two 3Mers who had front row seats to the process during the pandemic, due to the filtration products they make that help manufacturers figure out ways to produce more vaccine, more quickly. “I think as a human being, there’s a certain amount of humility and joy in knowing that the work that you do is critical to solving fairly serious problems of humankind at the moment." Guests: Robert Befidi, president, and Jonathan Hester, scientist, both of 3M's Separation and Purification Sciences Division. Season 2, Episode 1 /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/22870568

If we're driving less, why are we crashing more? 11/08/2021

If we're driving less, why are we crashing more? Did you know that while Americans were driving less during the pandemic, we saw some of the highest traffic fatality numbers in decades? That’s why we’re talking with Dan Chen, president of 3M’s Transportation Safety Division. He’s going to tell us more about the reasons behind the latest data in roadway safety, share some technology that’s been shown to help reduce traffic fatalities and provide tips on how we can prepare for the trip ahead before we even get behind the wheel. /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/21063968

Turning roofs into smog-fighting surfaces 10/11/2021

Turning roofs into smog-fighting surfaces If you're a homeowner, the idea of replacing a roof might cause you a little concern. We only do it once or twice in our lives and it costs a bit of money. But what if in addition to protecting your home, your roof had the same smog-reducing power of 2-3 trees? Listen in to this shingle shakedown – our 3Mers cover it all. /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/20757335

The semiconductor shortage, or why can't I find a gaming console? 10/04/2021

The semiconductor shortage, or why can't I find a gaming console? If you've looked for a gaming system or car during the pandemic, then you know – demand for semiconductors is currently outweighing supply. That forecast could hold through 2022, says Fitih "Fitz" Cinnor, a 3Mer well-versed in the semiconductor industry. He lets us know what that could mean for consumers, as well as what it means for 3M: delivering innovative products and solutions to enable advanced semiconductor manufacturing and delivery, without interruption. /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/20675060

AI in the exam room 09/27/2021

AI in the exam room “Pajama time” might sound fun, but when it comes to being a health care provider, it’s anything but. It means working at home after hours to keep up with health and care records for patients, losing out on time with family and leading to potential burn out. 3Mer Jeff Lipes talks about a solution meant to give doctors more time to care – an AI-assisted voice recognition system that can create more time to interact with patients and ideally leads to better outcomes for patients and the community. /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/20555393

Smart room air purifiers and pancake air 08/18/2021

Smart room air purifiers and pancake air Filtrete™ Brand, which has seen a marked uptick in demand and a renewed focus on indoor air quality because of the pandemic, has introduced a new smart air purifier. The time is right: how many times did you talk about airborne pathogens before 2020? Our guest takes us beyond standard HVAC filters to talk about how the brand has developed new technology that actively works to improve the air inside our homes. Plus, we'll get to hear about pancake air and lasers! /episode/index/show/whatsnextat3m/id/20182220

What’s Next at 3M

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