Lean: Uncommon Common Sense
Lean benefits are not found in a three-day workshop, but rather arise and are sustained through culture change. I have always been a process consultant, typically focusing on those processes which are the most relevant to making rapid improvement with the specific manufacturer or distributor I am partnering with. [...]
Put the Spark Back in Manufacturing
The APICS-IE executive panel and networking symposium is an opportunity to join with your colleagues (and competitors) to learn and collaborate. Only those manufacturers and distributors who want to thrive in 2014 will join in, collaborate and be a bigger part of the community! In todays’ increasingly complex world, [...]
How to Get a Job in Manufacturing IT
Published in Computerworld on April 16, 2014 Manufacturers are investing in technology and systems that help their efficiency or improve profitability, comments Lisa Anderson, out Lisa Anderson, president of Claremont, CA-based LMA Consulting Group, Inc. in Claremont, CA. "They want to automate and provide more visibility about orders to [...]
Why are Processes Undervalued?
Processes are often undervalued. I have always been a process consultant yet I found out that I undervalued my value when it came to processes - if it can happen to someone who talks about processes continually, it can certainly happen to anyone. And it does! I find that [...]
6 Pitfalls to Program Management Success for Manufacturing Leaders
Stay in the manufacturing game- avoid common program management pitfalls. In today’s business environment, manufacturing leaders must do more with less – and deliver superior customer service at the same time. In my 25 years of experience as an operations executive and global business consultant, I’m seeing an unprecedented [...]
Manufacturing Management Success: Managing in Today’s Complex World
Complexity abounds in manufacturing management; can you rise to the challenge? Complexity abounds! Supply chains are extended. Risks must be mitigated. Rules and regulations are increasing. Talent is in short supply. 95% of business is outside the U.S. yet expanding internationally brings challenges and complexity. Customers are demanding more [...]
Profit Drivers
The key to success isn't to think about profit but instead to think about profit drivers. What business isn't interested in profit? None I can think of - even non-profit businesses need to be concerned about whether they'll come out "a wash". I find that the key to success [...]
The Significant Value of Processes
Business Process ROI
Systems pragmatists focus on achieving exponential returns on investment (ROI) with a combination of top-notch business processes, systems, and people. Business process improvement is starting to make a comeback as executives are thinking about how to increase efficiencies. I’m a fan of selecting a few critical priorities and re-focusing [...]