Smartphone manufacturers say that it’s best to charge cell phones up to a maximum of 80%. Not charging beyond 80% would ensure a longer battery life of the cell phone, the manufacturers say. Liquid petroleum gas suppliers fill cooking gas cylinders up to a maximum of 80% of design capacity. They say the remaining 20%Continue reading “Challenging the 80/20 Rule”
Author Archives: Ellery
What Did They Say?
I was a staff industrial engineer in a multinational consumer goods corporation and I was in a meeting with two (2) senior accountants. We were discussing why the budget for operating expenses was going up for the department I was assigned to. Whenever I replied to questions about expenses, both accountants would huddle and talkContinue reading “What Did They Say?”
The Un-Ease of Doing Business
I hate January. Every January of every calendar year, enterprises must renew their business permits with the cities and towns they have their offices located at. On top of the hefty fees & taxes, the process of renewal is tedious. Every enterprise must submit numerous requirements such as but not limited to securing clearances forContinue reading “The Un-Ease of Doing Business”
The Pensées By Blaise Pascal
Pensées (pronounced pahn-sáy) was nothing more than Pascal’s collection of his notes and musings, for what academics believed was supposed to be for his unwritten book about Christianity. Yet, when the Pensées was published into a book in 1670, readers hailed it as a historical masterpiece. Students of science and religion have cited the PenséesContinue reading “The Pensées By Blaise Pascal”
Lost Opportunities are Unsolved Problems
A company was stuck in a vicious cycle. The company delivered orders late. Customers did not pay right away for deliveries received, citing the tardy arrivals of their orders. The ensuing tight cashflow caused delays in purchasing and importing critical raw materials. Manufacturing could not make products on schedule. Logistics, therefore, could not deliver pendingContinue reading “Lost Opportunities are Unsolved Problems”
The Low-Key Professional
Famous people are usually politicians, business titans, military generals, artists, star athletes, and inventors. Hardly does one find a famous administrator, logistician, or accountant. Why is that? Recognition gravitates to one who leads an earth-shaking change or just happens to introduce something that resonates with just about everyone. Credit goes to the individual who introducesContinue reading “The Low-Key Professional”
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”
Ellery's Essays 