Multidisciplinary Decision-Making: A Tangible Illustration — In conversation with Joseph Samluk
Multidisciplinary decision-making stands as a cornerstone in contemporary problem-solving landscapes. In an interconnected world, the challenges we face are seldom singular or straightforward. Embracing a multitude of perspectives not only enriches the depth of our understanding but also fosters innovation and resilience. By weaving together insights from various disciplines, we create a holistic approach that is better equipped to navigate complexities, foresee unintended consequences, and craft solutions that resonate on multiple fronts.
We are in conversation with Joseph Samluk, a strategist at the intersection of engineering, finance, and market development. This unique combination allows Joe an unmatched perspective on business, clean tech and sustainability, and much more.
We talked about you being a renaissance man, a multidisciplinary problem solver who embraces challenges. You bring cultural understanding, both from an actual cultural and a functional perspective. How does this broad and deep experience set you up to solve ‘any issue’ that a company may have, either from the C-suite or board level? And how does your broad understanding, of the intersection of engineering, finance, and market development, inform decision-making and improve business success?
Drawing upon my background at the intersection of engineering, finance, and market development, coupled with a deep cultural understanding, I have a unique lens through which I approach challenges. This multidimensional perspective enables me to decipher complexities that often elude conventional analysis. Whether it’s a nuanced financial strategy, an intricate engineering dilemma, or market development opportunity, I am adept at synthesizing insights from diverse domains. Moreover, my problem-solving acumen, enriched by cultural nuances, positions me to address issues from both the C-suite’s strategic vantage point and the board’s overarching perspective. This comprehensive view allows me to navigate any challenge a company might encounter, ensuring solutions are not only effective but also resonate with the broader organizational and cultural context. Before delving deeper into the intricacies and significance of multidisciplinary decision-making, I want to discuss a tangible example that showcases its value.
To address the pressing challenges of environmental sustainability and energy independence, we must prioritize solutions with the greatest impact. A deep dive into the data reveals that transportation, particularly long-haul trucking, is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, in the United States, heavy-duty trucks emit 31 times more CO2 than cars. This statistic underscores the scale of the problem and where interventions can be most effective
In discussions with key stakeholders, including members of Congress as well as the Governors of Minnesota and Wisconsin, I emphasized the importance of focusing on scale. While we are struck daily with the visual representation that cars significantly outnumber heavy-duty trucks on the road, the emissions disparity means that targeting long-haul trucking has a meaningful impact on our ability to achieve our reduction goals. If we replace one diesel-fueled heavy-duty truck with a clean energy alternative, the environmental benefit from the reduction in tailpipe emissions is equivalent to removing 31 cars from the road. This math underscores the efficiency of targeting trucks as a strategic priority.
However, the challenge isn’t merely just about targeting the ‘right’ vehicles to drive scale in emissions reduction but also understanding the decision-making dynamics to accelerate scale in adoption. In the consumer market, the decision to adopt cleaner technologies often hinges on cost and perceived value. Individual car owners may not ascribe value to a ‘clean premium’ and it is necessary to appeal to at least 31 times the number of car owners versus heavy-duty truck owners to convert to a clean alternative. In contrast, for heavy-duty truck owners or, businesses operating fleets of as many as 10,000 trucks whereby the scale in adoption is magnified, there can be long-term benefits of transitioning to cleaner fuels, especially when considering Source 3 emissions and ESG governance and where external incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act come into play and can be passed through the supply chain to drive fuel cost parity.
From a business perspective, transitioning to clean energy is not just an environmental imperative but also an economic one. For example, the production of hydrogen, as well as distribution given its low volumetric energy density, presents significant challenges including cost. But with innovation and the right policies and incentives, these challenges can be mitigated, making the transition more feasible for businesses. A multi-disciplinary approach suggests targeting long-haul trucking offers a much more efficient, scalable means of achieving emissions reduction goals.
Taking a multidisciplinary approach is crucial in navigating these complexities. As a ‘Renaissance Man,’ I bring together insights from cultural psychology, finance, engineering, and market development. This holistic perspective allows for a nuanced understanding of the problem and paves the way for innovative solutions. For example, by focusing on lower-risk applications to drive transition such as “point-to-point” or “return-to-base” trucking, we can streamline decision-making processes and create a more conducive environment for the adoption of cleaner technologies.
Addressing the global challenge of reducing emissions requires a multifaceted approach that considers both the technical aspects and the human elements of decision-making. By targeting long-haul trucking and aligning economic incentives with environmental goals, we can make meaningful strides toward a more sustainable future.
Thanks for sharing, Joe.
Connect with Joseph on LinkedIn.
