The automotive industry is digitizing operations to manage data more effectively. Who’s leading the pack?Powerful macro-economic forces are imposing changes across all business sectors; one could argue the transportation sector is experiencing the most drastic and rapidly changing conditions. Car makers have constantly shifted gears to adapt to consumer demand. Recent trends include autonomous vehicles,…

While it may seem counter-intuitive, an objective 3rd party can often bring out the best in your organization. Such an outsider can bring a fresh and objective perspective to “uncover the rock” and stimulate change. When I led a small fabricating and stamping operation in the Caribbean, I was particularly proud of our six. Okuma…

Do you really need to tweak your current process? Your competitors are not sleeping, so you too need to “stay awake” to thrive in the current business climate. Let’s say your organization overcomes a major obstacle that’s been dragging down service levels over the past quarter. Now it’s time for “high 5’s” all around, perhaps…

Value is a term that is over-used but often under-appreciated. It’s not enough to claim you’re providing goods or services at a fair market price, with perhaps an extra feature versus a competitor’s product. This tactic could work in the short run, but eventually it may not hold up over time as competitors replicate your…

Forcing your management team to post metrics may result in visual clutter that won’t improve the way work is done. Sometimes a management team launches an overwhelming amount of facts and figures that go beyond what is realistic and practical. This creates confusion and general apathy towards the data that loses credibility over time. One…

During my first visit to a factory located in a US/Mexican border town, my initial impression was, “It’s better organized than imagined. It sounds like there’s a good operating rhythm. And it smells like what a chemical processing factory should.” Early in my professional career, the Manufacturing VP of a well-known conglomerate taught me when…