Ellery

Where is the ‘How’ in Fixing Problems?

Opinion-editorial writers fill newspaper columns with what they believe are wrong with the world. They cite theories and recommend what needs to be done, which may range from legislating news laws, kicking out incompetent people from political office, to reducing red tape. Absent in many of these op-eds is the how. How would what theseContinue reading “Where is the ‘How’ in Fixing Problems?”

Paperless Productivity is a Myth

To pay for my company’s taxes, my accountant logs into the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) website and types into forms on the computer screen. Once filled, she checks and mouse clicks a button to submit the form. She logs out of the BIR website and then tells me to log into the company’s bankContinue reading “Paperless Productivity is a Myth”

The Challenges & Benefits of The Physical Count

A finance executive of a metals manufacturing corporation wanted a physical count of all items at the company’s plants. And he wanted it done in two (2) days. A physical count consists of a team identifying, counting, and tagging items, such as products, work-in-process, and raw materials. The purpose of a physical count is toContinue reading “The Challenges & Benefits of The Physical Count”

Inventory Record Accuracy: A Step to Supply Chain Improvement

Managers of a large food condiments manufacturer bragged that their finished products Inventory Record Accuracy (IRA) was 99%. They added that they met this level constantly, not just when I as a consultant was there auditing the manufacturer’s supply chain operations. How do you compute the IRA? I asked the warehouse manager. The warehouse officeContinue reading “Inventory Record Accuracy: A Step to Supply Chain Improvement”

Supply Chain Visibility: Monitoring & Measurement

Supply Chain Visibility is the ability to observe the activities and movement of merchandise from their sources to their final destinations. When it comes to setting up a system of visibility, two features must be present: monitoring and measurement. The first is monitoring in which its effectiveness depends on the abilities to sense, detect, andContinue reading “Supply Chain Visibility: Monitoring & Measurement”

What Do You Want from Supply Chains?

There is no straightforward answer to this question. Supply chains have multiple stakeholders. These stakeholders consist of individuals and enterprises which serve as the links of the supply chains. Every enterprise also has an internal supply chain, which makes the people of the enterprise stakeholders to the larger supply chain. Stakeholders, therefore, would differ onContinue reading “What Do You Want from Supply Chains?”

The Need for Clarity Before AI in Supply Chains

It’s near the end of 2025. Just about everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how technology firms are racing to capitalise on it. Executives want AI to be integral in just about every business area. That includes supply chains. Aside from all the automation firms are installing into their operations, executives are aimingContinue reading “The Need for Clarity Before AI in Supply Chains”

What’s the Metric for Resilience?

Many executives insist their organisations need to be resilient. Given all the adversities and disruptions businesses had experienced, it’s understandable to believe resilience is vital. Resilience is “an organization’s ability to adapt to and recover from disruptions, such as natural disasters or market shifts, while maintaining core operations and continuing to function.” But how doesContinue reading “What’s the Metric for Resilience?”

Scolding My Subordinate Was Wrong

I scolded my subordinate manager the other day. Yelled at him, in fact. It was wrong. I should not scold, much more yell, at a person whether he works for me or not. When I scolded my manager, I negated the value of pointing out his mistake. The manager ended up not realising his errorContinue reading “Scolding My Subordinate Was Wrong”

Goals Lead to Tangible Benefits

In one scene from the movie, Rocky, the title character played by Sylvester Stallone, is seen waking up at 4:00am, helping himself to a glassful of raw eggs, and then starting a jog. Rocky’s jog is the start of his preparation for his boxing fight with Apollo Creed, the current heavyweight champion in the movie. Continue reading “Goals Lead to Tangible Benefits”