The characteristics of manufacturing have changed drastically this century. Previously, manufacturers built gigantic factories in favorable geographic locations that provided critical access to resources (roads, materials, etc.). Thousands of people—99% of whom had low qualifications—were employed to work at such factories. In the 21st century, all distances have shortened and the influences from technology have become significant in everyday life. Cash flowed into high-tech fields.

The influence of personnel on the manufacturing process has also changed. In the past, the ability to achieve results from a group of ignorant people by any the means (even down to the most barbarous methods) was most valuable. Today, in contrast, the availability of creative experts is essential, as only such people are able to provide competitive advantages to their companies. The latter is a complicated task.

Actually, a number of competitors with practically identical solutions exist in every field. Each has a staff of engineers who graduated from similar universities, administrators trained in similar ways, and products manufactured at the same types of factories. Industrial intelligence works so well that as soon as a competitor obtains something new, all others have the same solution in a short time.

Does this create a dead end? No, it does not. It more likely leads to a transition to a new development stage in which the main task is understanding the necessity of continuously “surprising” the market by creating something new—something considerably distinguished and exceeds existing analogous products. In programming—and today programming touches practically all spheres of human life with the proliferation of electronic devices—such “inventors” are called algorithm designers.

Coincidentally, the phrase “algorithm design” had been assigned to all tasks requiring mathematical application for the development of high-tech devices, even to those unrelated directly to algorithm generation.

What commercial revenue does the person who can surprise the market regularly bring? These sums are measured in the millions. However, you will not find the specialty “Algorithm Designer” in any university in the world. Officially, this profession does not currently exist, and nowhere can you be taught it. Algorithm designers who master the skill by themselves are rather small in number.

Algorithm designers need experience in theoretical scientific-research work, in practical developments, and with real business performance. A keen sense for market development trends cannot succeed without experience in marketing and sales. Moreover, significant experience in project management is required to efficiently implement new ideas.

Indeed, theoretical scientists do not bring many benefits to modern commercial developments. Their thinking is often disconnected from reality, having had just a few points of intersection with practice. Even when such intersection has occurred, a lack of elementary knowledge in project management and business communications neutralizes all other advantages.

At the same time, application-oriented engineers are hardly able to engage in new developments or go beyond matters that they were taught. After all, the existing engineering education system in general teaches one to solve standard tasks by applying standard methods.

Innovative business requires people who have both practical and scientific skills, and who are able to solve tasks that have yet to be solved. They must do this systematically and not by waiting for insight, but in an efficient and predictable manner and with an understanding from a business viewpoint. They must achieve results that nobody in the world has yet achieved. Such people play key roles in securing a competitive advantage for high-tech companies. And their contribution to a company’s success is often considerable.