Paul Chapman, How Bringing People Together Is Key to Innovation – InnovaBuzz 397
Paul Chapman, The Australian Turntable Company
In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Paul Chapman, Founder and Executive Chairman of The Australian Turntable Company, which is a 30-year-old specialist world-leading engineering company designing and manufacturing mechanical rotational movement systems. The company’s core business is delivering traffic management solutions through space optimization in the residential, commercial mining, and construction industries internationally.
Paul has fostered a strong global, quality, and innovative mindset to allow ATC to now export its products to over 20 countries worldwide and be recognised as a leading Australian Advanced Manufacturer. His current roles include strengthening the reputation of the multi-award-winning company as a world-class specialist solutions provider, promoting regional-based advanced manufacturing, and public speaking on innovation.
In our discussion, Paul talked to me about:
- Talking to customers, listening, and taking onboard feedback and complaints as a source of potential innovation
- Bringing people together to facilitate innovation
- The importance of being process driven
Dan Ahchow in episode 344 introduced us to Paul.
Listen to the podcast to find out more.
Listen to the Podcast
Be clear about what your purpose in business is. When you understand your purpose, you can then identify what your brand promise is, what your real vision is, your values, and your customers' needs. – Paul Chapman @TurntablesATC on… Click To TweetShow Notes from this episode with Paul Chapman of The Australian Turntable Company
Key points and takeaways from this episode include:
- The Australian Turntable Company specialises in designing and manufacturing rotational movement systems that allow people and organisations to save space and improve safety and productivity.
- Australian Turntable is known for having built the largest revolving restaurant in Iran.
- Having proper processes and procedures for how you do things is key to how you do business properly.
- Be clear about what your purpose in business is. When you understand your purpose, you can then identify what your brand promise is, what your real vision is, your values, and your customers’ needs.
- Make sure that your vision, your brand promise, and your values are all linked together to help everybody in your business understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
- The purpose of a business is to make people feel good. Make sure that your customers feel better when they walk out of your business than when they walked in.
- Listening and talking to customers are very important parts of customer service. Listen to what your customers’ problems are before talking about what they need.
- Australian-made brands are stronger than ever. People trust it.
- If you can’t compete in price, then don’t. You can compete on quality. People will buy quality.
- When you are valued and you provide value, customers are willing to pay the price. And when they recognise the work that you do, being valued is not so hard to get.
- Failures are an important part of a business. You will fail plenty of times but don’t be frightened by it. You can put processes in place to address those failures and learn from them.
- Innovation needs failure. You can’t go anywhere without it.
The Buzz – Our Innovation Round
Here are Paul’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.
- #1 thing to be more innovative – Keep an alert eye on what can be improved. Innovation is not just product production. It can be processes and procedures in any part of anybody’s business. Understand patience and failure.
- Best thing for new ideas – Listening and talking to customers. If one person has a problem, so does someone else.
- Favourite tool for innovation – People in the organisation. A problem shared is a problem halved. Success shared is success doubled.
- Keep project/client on track – Be process-driven. Follow the steps that you need to do.
- Differentiate – Specialise. Be honest and transparent with your customers. You will make mistakes, and if you do, own it and just get over it.
To Be a Leader
Be optimistic. There are plenty of things to be optimistic about. You can do it. We all can do it!
Reach Out
You can reach out and thank Paul through their website and on LinkedIn.
Suggested Guest
Paul suggested we have a conversation with innovation and STEM thought leader, Graeme Wiggins. So Graeme, keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation from us to the InnovaBuzz Podcast, courtesy of Paul Chapman.
Links
- Website – Australian Turntables
- Twitter – @TurntablesATC
- Bendigo Invention + Innovation Festival
Cool Things About Paul
- In 2017, he received the Leadership and Innovation Award from the Regional Development Victoria Regional Achievement Community Awards.
- He enthusiastically advocates optimism in the Australian Made brand.
- Prior to starting the Australian Turntable Company, he and his wife, Annette, owned and operated hotels and food establishments in various parts of Victoria, including Bendigo.