When discussing innovative tech firms, 187-year-old John Deere might not be the first name that springs to mind. Known better for its iconic green and yellow tractors and trendy hats, most people are surprised to learn that the company is also a pioneer and long-time leader in AI and robotics.
The storied agricultural industry giant currently boasts an impressive array of technological achievements:
- It is the world’s largest autonomous vehicle operator
- It recently sealed a game-changing partnership with SpaceX to bring SATCOM connectivity to its machinery
- It’s earned top honors for Innovation in Robotics at the CES? Innovation Awards
While John Deere’s evolution from traditional manufacturer to tech powerhouse has been ongoing for decades, it wasn’t until 2019 that the transformation hit full throttle with the adoption of an Agile operating model.
The initiative’s success largely hinged on reimagining the company’s approach to talent management, along with advancing a fundamental shift in organizational culture. “Our Agile move was about becoming a customer-centric organization and really transforming how the entire company worked,” explains Renae Shannon, Global IT HR business partner at John Deere.
Below, we share her insights on how John Deere built a tech-forward workforce — and the pivotal role HR professionals play in shaping the workforces of the future.
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