1. 3M expects its five corporate performance initiatives to drive improvement in productivity and efficiency and help the organization focus strongly on customer solutions. Those five initiatives are:

2. Six Sigma,

3. 3M Acceleration,

4. eProductivity,

5. sourcing effectiveness, and

6. indirect cost control.

When asked what has made 3M successful in KM and innovation, Barry Dayton, manager of 3M’s knowledge transformation program office, stated the organization’s five corporate performance initiatives, its ability to leverage its many technology platforms in its major market areas, and the company’s culture drive innovation.

The company also leverages approximately 35 different technology platforms into its major market areas and subsequent subdivided markets. It has a global supply operation designed to meet the needs of its global customers. All business units focus on customer needs.