A Planning Mindset
Have you heard of the PDCA model (Plan, Do, Check, Act)?
Demand Planning Best Practices
A reenergized demand plan is fortified with meaningful data trends that point the way to improved service levels and increased profit margins.
Production Scheduling
The fun of production scheduling is also the most important aspect, managing competing priorities and variables to find the best overall solution. Production scheduling has been a part of my expertise since my post-college days at Coca-Cola Enterprises. It has been a part of every job I've held (whether directly or indirectly) and a part of almost every project I've consulted on since. Thus, I have a passion for this topic.
The 4Ps to Collaborative Customer Program Success
When connecting people and process, think about using customer collaborative programs to link strategy with execution.
Increasing Cash Flow through Supply Chain Improvements
Published in "The ACA Group" website, March, 2011 As we are emerging from the recession, we are by no means returning to the high growth days of the past. Instead, the new normal is here to stay - slow growth for those who stay ahead of the curve, tight [...]
Succeed During These Turbulent Times – Manage for Cash Part 1: Manage Inventories
Businesses continue to cut back as the economy continues to worsen - seemingly every day. Cutting costs in a reasonable and smart manner is required; however, cost cutting alone rarely achieves success. As one of my mentors used to say, the best problem to have is a cost problem [...]
Ideas to increase cash flow
Businesses should always look for ways to increase cash flow. Here are a few ideas to pursue: It's not what you make; it's what you keep: As obvious as this sounds, it is easy to get caught up in the opposite of what will increase your cash flow - [...]
Tips for surviving a physical inventory
Prepare, prepare, and prepare: 80% of your success is in preparation. Organize the warehouse, clearly mark areas, label exceptions, complete and review system transactions, etc. Stop / isolate movement: When you begin your physical count, stop all physical and system movements and transactions. This is a critical foundation - [...]
Tips for decreasing inventory levels without affecting your customers!
A few best practices for reducing inventory levels without negatively impacting customer service include the following: Put the "right" people in the "right" jobs - it is amazing how much this one point contributes to success. Managing inventory levels requires a unique skill set - analysis, seeing the bigger [...]
4 Keys to VMI Success
Before talking about the keys to achieving VMI (vendor managed inventory) success, the question is: what is VMI? VMI is a process where the supplier places purchase orders for their customers to agreed-upon metrics.