Robotics Solutions for 3M

Killian P. Madeley

Department of Management & Technology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

MGMT 201: Principles of Management

Mrs. Trekeisha Street

January 14, 2024

 2

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M)

3M is a highly diversified company that many Americans know for its assortment of

quality products. Popular among these include various adhesives, personal protective equipment

(PPE), and post-it notes (3M, 2024). In 2022, it reported an annual revenue of over $34 billion.

Since its origin as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company in Two Harbors,

MN, the company has exploded into a globally dominant powerhouse, manufacturing over

60,000 products across 70 countries (3M, 2024c). The five businessmen that started the company

got their entrance to the limelight when DuPont Inc. purchased a chemical used in Teflon from

3M. About a decade later, 3M scientists made discoveries in the pharmaceutical industry, which

led to their large-scale diversification that carried them into the 21st century. Michael Roman is

the present-day CEO and chairman. The company’s mission statement can be paraphrased as

follows: to deliver innovations that improve the lives of consumers and support the environment.

Its vision is to be the most innovative, technologically diverse company in the world (Discounted

Cash Flow, 2024).

For these above reasons, 3M would benefit from a company-wide extension into the field

of robotics. Currently, 3M offers products such as signal cables, connectors, and electronic films.

With just a few small changes, 3M could sell servos, sensors, coatings, and specialized fluids

like grease for metal joints. Going a step further, 3M could branch into providing raw materials

such as metal alloys for hobbyists or industrial purposes. Given its history of working with the

military, 3M could serve as a contractor for government robotics such as drones (3M, 2024a).
 3

All in all, 3M is an excellent candidate for expanding into new market territories with

developments in robotics, and its success has been proven by shareholder confidence and as a

long-standing part of the Fortune 500 (3M, 2024b).

Planning

Strengths: Opportunities:

Weakness: Threats:

Use the above SWOT template provided and ensure you use credible sources to support

your analysis.

After you conduct your SWOT analysis, write an essay in at least 500 words and two new

scholarly resources than previously used addressing the following:

 Describe in detail your new idea for your chosen company. Provide the SWOT

component related to your idea and explain. (Ex: ensure to include your idea in the

opportunities of your SWOT).

 4

 Include production and logistics of your new idea. (Ex. Do you need to expand your

building, add more employees, build a new production line, add a distribution center in

another country). Be specific.

 Outline how it impacts the company’s growth, competition, or market demands (it could

affect some or all). Be specific and use research, data, statistics, and make an estimation

of how much it could add to the company’s profit margin and how you foresee this

growing the company.

 Explain “how and when” you will implement your idea. Again, be specific, for example,

proposed launch is in Spring of 20XX. Don’t state immediately. Immediately can mean

different things to different companies. Be thoughtful and come up with a specific date of

your launch and provide a reason for that launch date.

Organizing and Staffing

Provided a minimum of two new scholarly resources than previously used and you will

present a breakdown of the following:

 Create an organization chart of your chosen company and insert the chart into your

document.

Then, write an essay in at least 300 words on the following prompts:

 Summarize the groups/departments you envision that are needed for your “new idea”.

You can propose new staffing positions if applicable.

 Identify and explain if your company has the resources available or would possible

outsourcing be an option?

o Be sure to list the main resources you will need

 5

Outline and describe the approximate cost associated with the implementation of your

idea and how this will potentially affect the company’s bottom line (profits/revenue).

Leading and Controlling

Write an essay of at least 300 words and two new scholarly resources than previously

used addressing the following:

 Describe how your leadership style will be instrumental in launching your new idea.

(This is important to show how your leadership is instrumental is the success of this

idea to your boss and senior leadership. They need the confidence in you to execute

this idea and ensure throughout the implementation process there are control

measures and process for feedback).

 Explain the control points of your new idea:

o Explain how the company will evaluate the product or service.

o Describe how the company will receive feedback about the product or

service.

o Define how the company will address either a poor product or service.

Conclusion

Write a conclusion of appropriately 250 words wrapping up your main take a way from

your proposal. Be sure to leave a lasting impression as to why this is a great idea and how it will

contribute to the company’s “bottom line” and shareholder wealth!

References
 6

Discounted Cash Flow. (2024). Mission statement, vision, & core values (2023) of 3M Company

(MMM). https://dcf.fm/blogs/blog/mmm-mission-vision

3M. (2024a). Defense markets. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/defense-markets-us/

3M. (2024b). History. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/about-3m/history/

3M. (2024c). Our brands. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/our-brands/