I looked at the bottom of a dog food can at the pet shop to check its expiration date. It said “10/26/2026,” but the production date said “10/27/2023.” I concluded the dog food was safe as I bought the can of dog food on May 25, 2024. I thought, however: why was the production dateContinue reading “Why Does It Take So Long?”
Tag Archives: business
Flagships & Anchors
Every enterprise has a flagship. A flagship is an enterprise’s leading product. It’s the brand that customers identify with the enterprise or it’s the enterprise’s number one item in terms of customer popularity or sales. We know The Coca-Cola Company by its flagship namesake, Coca-Cola. Likewise, we know the Pepsico corporation from its Pepsi lineContinue reading “Flagships & Anchors”
Beware the Balanced Scorecard and Other Buzzwords
Executives of a multinational corporation mandated the roll-out of the Balanced Scorecard (BSc) throughout the organisation. Departments such as Sales, Marketing, Research & Development (R&D), Human Resources, Manufacturing, Logistics, & Purchasing were required to present key performance indices (KPIs) to upper management and show corresponding targets & action plans. Department managers immediately attended BSc seminarsContinue reading “Beware the Balanced Scorecard and Other Buzzwords”
It’s Not Only About ROI
The chief executive officer of a multinational consumer goods corporation handed down an edict: he won’t approve any project unless the proponent presents a justifiable return on investment (ROI). Whether it be an investment in new facilities, hiring of additional staff, or a promotion of a new product, the CEO won’t let an undertaking pushContinue reading “It’s Not Only About ROI”
Solving Problems Before They Become Calamities
Starbucks Corporation had reported lower sales in the second quarter of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. This led to the coffee chain company’s stock price tumbling by as much as 12% on April 30, 2024. Starbucks’ chief executive officer, Laxman Narasimhan, cited customers abandoning their app orders because of very long waiting timesContinue reading “Solving Problems Before They Become Calamities”
Solving Problems in the Midst of Crises
We who are supply chain veterans have encountered many crises in our operations. Over the decades since Keith Oliver (and Mr. Van t’Hoff) coined the term, supply chain management, we have had our share of challenging crises. But even as many enterprises recognise their critical importance, supply chains remained a not well understood branch ofContinue reading “Solving Problems in the Midst of Crises”
Are You Looking for a Problem?
In the 1980’s, Procter & Gamble had a cost improvement program dubbed “Deliberate Change.” The purpose of the program was to tap all levels of the P&G organization to find ways to reduce cost. The Deliberate Change program encouraged P&G employees to look for ways to reduce costs. There were extensive training programs focused onContinue reading “Are You Looking for a Problem?”
Discerning What We Can Change versus What We Cannot
A long time ago I tried to start a business in which I’d deliver basic consumer products to small provincial stores. I’d buy products from major wholesalers and sell them at small profit margins. I’d offer my customers products at close to wholesale prices and I’d deliver items as soon as there were ordered. AsContinue reading “Discerning What We Can Change versus What We Cannot”
Engineering for Versatility, Not Resilience
When we analyse the gaps in our supply chain operations, it isn’t just about how wide the differences are in how we’re performing versus what we’re aiming for. It won’t only be about variances between targeted & actual results, but it will also be about how well we respond to and handle risks now andContinue reading “Engineering for Versatility, Not Resilience”
Resigning to but Reducing Red Tape
We encounter red tape in just about every transaction we undertake. It’s burdensome, annoying, and always a waste of our precious time. Red tape is a scourge, and it should be eradicated. But we don’t and we won’t get rid of it because not only do we resign ourselves to it, we accept it asContinue reading “Resigning to but Reducing Red Tape”
Ellery's Essays 