Each month, HomeWork features an AHAM member’s insights on careers, success, life outside of work, and AHAM membership. This month, we spoke with Lenore Kaplan, Head of Competitor Intelligence for the Americas, Dyson, and incoming chair of AHAM’s Floor Care Division.

Name three goals (personal or professional) you are pursuing in 2018.
1. Make more professional connections and expand my network.
2. Update some of the systems my team uses at work so that they are more robust.
3. Be more healthy and get out cycling more once the weather gets nicer.

How do you jumpstart your morning?
I like to start off the day by relaxing and reading a book while enjoying a nice breakfast. And coffee. Always coffee.

Predict an innovation that will revolutionize the next generation.
This is the million-dollar question for everyone right now, isn’t it? I think lithium ion’s successor will be a huge deal for many industries. From renewable energy, to cars, to appliances, many innovations are being held back by not having the proper battery technology.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?
“Finding a solution as quickly as possible doesn’t matter if it’s still wrong.” Wise words when I was doing my first manufacturing internship and trying to solve problems as fast as possible, but not actually taking the time to create thoughtful solutions.

What home appliance can you not live without?
Aside from the core essentials, I would have to say my coffeemaker.

What do you gain from your involvement with AHAM?
I gain great insight into the appliance industry as a whole and a view of the regulatory environments our products live in.

What is your best advice you have for somebody who wants to succeed in the home appliance industry?
Make sure that you always keep an eye on market trends and what your competition is doing, but don’t be led by your competitors. Stick with your company’s core values instead of someone else’s.