Cognitive entrenchment is the tendency to think and act in ways that are deeply entrenched in our cognitive processes. It is the opposite of flexibility and creativity, which is necessary in almost every aspect of life. An organisation that is cognitively entrenched is often unable to break out of its habitual inertia and can have a difficult time seeing things from different perspectives. Cognitive entrenchment can be caused by our environment, mental habits, and even the way we communicate. It can lead to a lack of creativity, missed opportunities, and even a stagnation of growth. It is important to understand how cognitive entrenchment occurs and how to avoid it, so that our people, teams, departments and organisations can become better prepared for the challenges ahead.
Causes of cognitive entrenchment
There are many things that can lead to cognitive entrenchment. One of the most common causes is the environment in which we work. If we are surrounded by negative influences, a culture of working in silos, have a lack of communication, lack of trust and transparency, or are exposed to unhealthy influences, then we are likely to become more entrenched in our ways of thinking. Cognitive entrenchment can also occur when we are told we are paid to do, and not think. Over time, such practises get embedded so deeply in the culture of the organisation that it seems normal to act in such a manner.
Signs of cognitive entrenchment
As cognitive entrenchment becomes more and more deeply embedded in an organisation's psyche, it will become increasingly difficult to overcome. The following are signs of cognitive entrenchment:
Do any of these feel or seem familiar to you?
How to identify and analyse cognitive entrenchment
To identify and analyse cognitive entrenchment, as leaders, we must first become aware of our own thoughts and behaviours. We must notice when we are thinking in certain ways that cause us to stay stuck in old ways of doing things. Once we have become aware of this, we can then challenge it and try to determine the source of the entrenchment. We can also try to think about ways that we can combat this entrenchment so that we can become more flexible in our ways of thinking again. There are multiple strategies that you can use to help combat cognitive entrenchment. This is something the engineering team at Equitus can help you with.
Strategies for avoiding cognitive entrenchment
There are a few key strategies that you can use to avoid cognitive entrenchment. Here is one thing you can try: Remain curious. No matter how knowledgeable and skilled you are, you cannot become complacent. You must always be curious about the world around you and be open to learning new things. Curiosity will help you to stay flexible in your ways of thinking and keep you from falling into a rut. There are many other things you can do, and we at Equitus can tailor these strategies for your specific requirement and environment.
The benefits of avoiding cognitive entrenchment
Cognitive flexibility is essential for creativity and problem solving in the modern business environment, especially in the Manufacturing ecosystem. It allows you to see issues from multiple perspectives and find novel and creative solutions to problems. It also allows you to see opportunities that others may not see, which can be essential to success. The more entrenched you become in your ways of thinking, the easier it will be to miss these opportunities and solutions. In addition to these more obvious benefits, being flexible also allows you to avoid stress and mental exhaustion. It allows you to see problems and issues in new ways, which can help you avoid becoming stressed out or overwhelmed by these issues.
After the UK has launched its first hydrogen-electric truck by Tevva Electric that features Luxfer Gas Cylinders, a deal has been struck between Equitus Design Engineering and Innovations and Luxfer Gas Cylinders Division of Luxfer Holdings PLC to support the sustainable transport sector. The deal will see Equitus offer design support for Luxfer on numerous systems it is currently developing for sustainable transport sector clients including Tevva Electric, Van Hool and HVS.
More details here:
Equitus, a London headquartered company, has delivered a design validation of battery racks for Magtec.
The scope of work for the UK’s largest manufacturer of electric and range-extended vehicle drive systems included Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
Equitus is one of a small selection of companies with high level technical proficiency capabilities in FEA, a computerised method for predicting how a product reacts to real-world forces, vibration, heat, fluid flow and other physical effects.
The collaborative project has ensured that Magtec’s racks - which when loaded with batteries weighing a combined 1260 kgs subject them to forces six times that of earth’s gravity - are safe while also providing assurance to electric truck manufacturers.
Design validation included alignment with five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
It comes as what was Equitus Engineering repositions its offer to become Equitus World; now the parent of Equitus Engineering, Equitus Design and Equitus Innovations.
The transition to a new business model - with all four now having their own domains - follows a period of growth for Equitus, which also has bases in Manchester, UK, and Bangalore, India,
Equitus founder Raam Shankar said: “Working in such a progressive and collaborative way with Magtec has been a great pleasure.
“Magtec approached Equitus to do some design validation of their battery racks, we assessed the design and offered Magtec recommendations that were accepted.
“The wide spectrum of our capabilities and experience in FEA means that we select the right analysis approach whether that is problem physics, application, idealisation (shells, beams, solids) contact setup and modelling, and a range of static and dynamic loading conditions.
“For Magtec, the weight being carried over the frames was two batteries of 230 kgs each and four batteries weighing 200 kgs. Our capabilities, coupled with Magtec’s commitment to safety, provided validation and assurance in design to electric truck manufacturers. In the year of COP 26 being held in Glasgow, we feel that UK companies collaborating on UN SDGs is a positive thing.”
Raam, TEDx Alumni, added that Equitus is now entering the most exciting phase in its six-year history.
“We decided to reposition the business model from one to four separate yet integrated companies. This approach will enable Equitus to pursue our objectives with more clarity while providing clearer value and solutions driven work for our clients.”
Equitus has worked with clients including Babcock, European Space Agency, Pall Corporation, Sellafield, STFC, Centrax Gas Turbines, AMOT Corporation, and Kawasaki.
Magtec was formed in 1992 and has been at the vanguard of the very latest clean technology; designing and manufacturing electric drivetrain solutions to power or repower commercial vehicles and trucks.
The company currently has hundreds of drive systems operating in trucks around the globe and is based in the heart of Sheffield’s manufacturing hub.
Around six years ago, when Equitus was born, we focused only on a few engineering services and some training. Over the years, the company evolved, and the scope of engineering services grew with it, and we were designing pieces of kit for the likes of the European Space Agency.
As time progressed further, we realised that we are not just an engineering company. We are a lot more than that. We are a design company. We are an engineering company. We are an innovations company. Some of you may have noticed our recent change of name to reflect this. Now our online presence, and our identity will reflect who we are today, as opposed to what we set out to do all those years ago.
Given all these changes, it did not make sense to simply have a gear wheel or a pair of mating gears as our logo anymore. Presenting the new logo for Equitus with equal emphasis on design, engineering and innovations.
As of September 1st 2021 we have moved our official registered and business address to London. This is part of a series of changes we are undergoing as a company, as we reinvent ourselves to serve you in the best possible manner. This is also a reflection of who we are, what we do, and most importantly, how we bring value to you.
Our new address will be:
Equitus Design Engineering and Innovations Limited
3rd Floor, The White Chapel Building, 10 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 8QS. United Kingdom.
Around six years ago, when Equitus was born, we focused only on a few engineering services and some training. Over the years, the company evolved, and the scope of engineering services grew with it, and we were designing pieces of kit for the likes of the European Space Agency.
As time progressed further, we realised that we are not just an engineering company. We are a lot more than that. We are a design company. We are an engineering company. We are an innovations company. Some of you may have noticed our recent change of name to reflect this. Now our online presence, and our identity will reflect who we are today, as opposed to what we set out to do all those years ago.
Our core purpose of a better engineered world by enabling people excel at what they do remains the same. Our values of integrity, positive experience, technical superiority, culture of respect, and constant innovation remain the same. Our commitment to you remains the same.
The way we offer our solutions and services has changed, based on whether it is design, engineering or innovations. Whilst you all are aware of our engineering capabilities, you will know more about our design and innovation capabilities also, and it may or may not surprise you. We will let you be the judge of that.
As you are all aware, sustainability plays a big role in everything we do. This is reflected in our definition of innovation thus: Any human endeavour or effort that enables us to survive, grow, prosper, and practise sustainability is called innovation.
As we move rapidly towards launching our new online presence, we would like to introduce you to the Equitus Innovation Hub. Whether you are starting up with a great idea, or an established company, the Equitus Innovation Hub is an essential pitstop on your innovation journey.
Watch this space or sign up to know more, before the others do!
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