‘I’m only human … born to make mistakes’. So said The Human League back in the ’80s (our younger readers might need to Google that one). The thing is, The Human League were spot on. Whenever you get people interacting with your online user interfaces or participating...
Operations
ISO Implications of Cyber Security
It is important to understand how cybersecurity trends now and in the coming year might impact ISO standards (and, by extension, your business). The ISO guidelines for cybersecurity are set out in ISO 27001. These consider unique activities and their relation to other...
Commodity Insight – Stationery or Office Consumables
Here are all the points that you should look to cover when looking to reduce costs and maximise value in this area: Obtain itemised details of your historic purchases over the last 12 months. This should include product code, description, UOM or pack size, quantity...
International Supply Chain Disputes & Supplier Validation – Pt2
Supplier issues can affect the overall business and can become an unrecoverable and expensive problem. Business owners can do a lot to prevent defective parts and materials from international suppliers from becoming a major business problem. Big-name suppliers first...
International Supply Chain Disputes & Supplier Validation – Pt1
What do business owners do when they receive defective parts and materials from international suppliers? Very quickly, supplier issues can affect the overall business and can become an unrecoverable and expensive problem. International supply is a tried and tested way...
Don’t let jargon get in the way of improvement.
If you’re running a small or medium-sized business, some of the language you see or hear about how to improve might leave you a bit bemused. You could legitimately be thinking ‘what on earth does Lean, 6 Sigma, Poka Yoke, Gemba or Hoshin Kanri have to do with my...
Case Study – Operational Effectiveness Assessment – Managing Risk
The Client Medium sized FMCG manufacturer Constraints Regulated industryLong supply lead timesHigh raw material costsHigh potential impact from consumer complaints The Problem The client’s product uses raw materials supplied from multiple countries and the assembled...
Procurement Case Study – Restructuring a Vital Supply Base
The Client National Materials Testing OrganisationExtensive & Varied Customer BaseVast Array of Specialist Services Provided The Problem The nature of the client’s business meant that they required a wide range of highly educated and specialised personnel. Roles...
Operations by design – the four V’s
Operations can be costly, hence the ongoing drive for productivity and efficiency. There are four aspects of your business that will drive the way your operations are designed and their associated cost profile. First, think McDonald's and you’ll understand the impact...