Elements of Productivity

Our objectives stem from our business priorities, which usually consist of: How managers perform against objectives relative to meeting their business organisations’ priorities define their productivity.  The mistake managers make is classifying productivity as a mere performance measure.  As much as it does make visible how well the enterprise performs, productivity is more an attributeContinue reading “Elements of Productivity”

Pursuing Productivity Amid Adversity

The year 2025 arrived and what many businesses dreaded came true.  Newly inaugurated American President Donald Trump and his economic hawks swooped and threw global trade into turmoil. Arguing unfair trade practices from many nations, President Trump imposed tariffs on billions of dollars of imports from Canada, Mexico, China, and the European Union (EU), withContinue reading “Pursuing Productivity Amid Adversity”

Supply Chain Improvement Doesn’t Start with Fixing One’s Own Operations

It’s a popular notion that we fix our operations before we think about collaborating with our partners, i.e., vendors, service providers, & customers.  We, after all, would like to show a position of productive strength when we negotiate with our partners as we try to convince them to enrol into whatever agenda we have (e.g.,Continue reading “Supply Chain Improvement Doesn’t Start with Fixing One’s Own Operations”

A Supply Chain Vision with Specifics Would be a Remarkable Feat

Building the supply chain which we & our partners want begins with envisioning.  We define a future state for the operational links between our enterprises and our suppliers, service providers, & customers in which we aim to achieve mutually beneficial strategic goals.  A vision for our supply chains is not only a narrative about whatContinue reading “A Supply Chain Vision with Specifics Would be a Remarkable Feat”

Thirteen (13) Do’s & Don’ts in Supply Chain Envisioning

Before we change, improve, or build our supply chains, we must first have a vision.  We must first agree with our partners what we want our supply chains to become. Envisioning is not an activity of a single individual or enterprise when it comes to transforming our supply chains.  It requires consensus between stakeholders ofContinue reading “Thirteen (13) Do’s & Don’ts in Supply Chain Envisioning”

Envisioning:  The First Step to Building Supply Chains

Supply chains are big, long, comprehensive, and complicated.  Managing them means dealing with multiple customers, vendors & service providers.  We buy and deliver from and to distant places or just next-door.  We sell many types of products and handle much more in raw & packaging materials and in-process inventories.  We move merchandise via elaborate sea,Continue reading “Envisioning:  The First Step to Building Supply Chains”

Why We Need to Collaborate & Not Accommodate in Improving Supply Chains

We formalise our supply chain relationships via agreements we forge with our partners, who are our vendors, 3rd party service providers, & customers.  We manage our supply chain operations to ensure we perform to the agreed expectations of our partners.  Most supply chains have existing infrastructure in place when we negotiate with our partners.  OurContinue reading “Why We Need to Collaborate & Not Accommodate in Improving Supply Chains”

Delegating is a Subset of Teamwork

The following are some lines I’ve heard bosses tell their subordinates when the latter are feeding back about difficulties in their jobs:  “Be creative.” “Just do it.” “Don’t give me problems.” “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” “I can count on you.” “That’s what I pay you for.” “That’s what I hired you toContinue reading “Delegating is a Subset of Teamwork”