Materials Management - It's Half the Battle
Under stocked and/or overstocked items, duplicate item records, hidden inventory items, non standardized MRO spare part descriptions and unknown interchangeable parts--among other things--are all problems that can and do lead to significant lost time and low value activities. When we look at these and other storeroom inefficiencies and the inevitable problems that surface as a result, it becomes obvious that it can be very inefficient. If it is so obvious then why is it repeated over and over again in thousands of manufacturing facilities on a daily basis? Is it because there are bigger problems to be concerned with? Does maintenance think, "We have been running this way for 20 years, why change anything?" Are we too close to the problem to see it? Do we not realize how big a problem this is? It only stands to reason that optimizing your stocking levels, identifying duplicate item records and standardizing your MRO spare parts descriptions will minimize these "lost time" activities that can have the same effect as doubling your work force.
Material issues can easily account for 50 - 60% of the money and time associated with equipment maintenance. It is often a constant source of frustration for craftsmen and supervisors alike. Yet, many manufacturing organizations do not look at maintenance materials management or their maintenance process as a strategic competitive advantage. Some of the "guilty" parties are the same organizations that preach "Supply Chain Management" as a key competitive advantage on the production and customer side of the house.
Read the White Paper, Materials Management - It's Half the Battle.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Hold the Donuts
Hold the Donuts
We all hate meetings, especially when the meeting doesn't give us the outcome we want. Too often, it is only an excuse for donuts and coffee, and to be honest, they aren't a very productive use of time either.
Utilizing tools to make your meeting more effective can make all the difference between another boring, fruitless meeting and the next step to getting things done around your office.
1. First things first: Have a purpose for the meeting. A meeting that is simply a standing get-together can become an excuse to avoid work. If there is not a point and an expected outcome to the meeting, don't bother. Everyone in business has time demands, and no one has a spare hour to kill on a wasted opportunity to resolve issues and make progress. Skip the donuts; nobody needs the calories anyway!
2. Have an agenda. Circulate the agenda before hand, and then stick to it during the meeting.
3. Use a 'parking lot' for off-topic issues, ideas and problems. You can always come back to the other topic when the time is right and the correct people are available. Stick to your guns when managing meeting time, and stick to the agenda.
4. Be on time and hold everyone to that same expectation. Use tools (peer pressure is great) to influence everyone to show up on time.
5. Be prepared and arrive familiar with the topics to be covered. Know what you want to say, what you need (and expect) as an outcome, and be the best example you can to help other participants do the same.
6. Participate, but don't hog the spotlight. Everyone invited to the meeting should have a reason to be there, and should have a chance to express themselves.
7. Be polite. Even though we all think we are the very example of professional deportment, we all need a reminder occasionally; pay attention, even when you aren't the one talking. Wait for others to finish speaking before adding your "two cents" worth. Be tough on the issues, but respectful of your colleagues. Don't start sidebar conversations. Mute your phone.
Give as good as you get, and everyone will profit from the time spent together. Following these few rules will make all meetings a lot more productive in 2012, and nobody will really miss the donuts!
We all hate meetings, especially when the meeting doesn't give us the outcome we want. Too often, it is only an excuse for donuts and coffee, and to be honest, they aren't a very productive use of time either.
Utilizing tools to make your meeting more effective can make all the difference between another boring, fruitless meeting and the next step to getting things done around your office.
1. First things first: Have a purpose for the meeting. A meeting that is simply a standing get-together can become an excuse to avoid work. If there is not a point and an expected outcome to the meeting, don't bother. Everyone in business has time demands, and no one has a spare hour to kill on a wasted opportunity to resolve issues and make progress. Skip the donuts; nobody needs the calories anyway!
2. Have an agenda. Circulate the agenda before hand, and then stick to it during the meeting.
3. Use a 'parking lot' for off-topic issues, ideas and problems. You can always come back to the other topic when the time is right and the correct people are available. Stick to your guns when managing meeting time, and stick to the agenda.
4. Be on time and hold everyone to that same expectation. Use tools (peer pressure is great) to influence everyone to show up on time.
5. Be prepared and arrive familiar with the topics to be covered. Know what you want to say, what you need (and expect) as an outcome, and be the best example you can to help other participants do the same.
6. Participate, but don't hog the spotlight. Everyone invited to the meeting should have a reason to be there, and should have a chance to express themselves.
7. Be polite. Even though we all think we are the very example of professional deportment, we all need a reminder occasionally; pay attention, even when you aren't the one talking. Wait for others to finish speaking before adding your "two cents" worth. Be tough on the issues, but respectful of your colleagues. Don't start sidebar conversations. Mute your phone.
Give as good as you get, and everyone will profit from the time spent together. Following these few rules will make all meetings a lot more productive in 2012, and nobody will really miss the donuts!
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