To companies focused on operational excellence, Lean Principles and the discipline of Benchmarking are considered two complimentary and indispensable tools toward achieving world class performance. Getting Lean is all about identifying and getting rid of waste, where waste is defined as any non- value adding step that customers are unwilling to pay for. Benchmarking is […]
Wanted: Lean and Benchmarking ‘Sensei’ Read More »
Is there such a thing as an ideal purchasing professional and, if so, what traits do they possess? I believe there is such an ideal – I have met several of them. In my work with price and organizational benchmarking, I meet many procurement individuals from a variety of companies. I have been exposed to
The Ideal Purchasing Professional Read More »
Since my company, Lytica Inc., introduced analytics based price prediction for electronic components, many major EMS and OEM companies have saved millions of dollars by applying this technology to their materials spending. As with the disruptive technologies described by Clayton Christensen in The Innovator’s Dilemma, those stuck like deer in the headlights clinging to a
Purchasing: Do You Really Understand Pricing? Read More »
I was speaking with my Purchasing Manager last week; Patrick is a very capable and effective purchasing professional who has become addicted to Lytica’s fast track cost reduction methods. We discussed surprising things that we have seen in procurement which we label as crimes because they rob shareholders of value. In no particular order, I’d like
Top 7 ‘Crimes’ Often Committed by Purchasing Read More »
While Nicolas Chauvin struggled alone following the Napoleonic wars, he would have had more company if he lived today. His single-minded devotion to his cause – a dying cause – would have fit well in today’s political and economic climate. Too many leaders and people of influence think the future will somehow resemble the past;
Quickening of Change Stresses Manufacturing Read More »
Although the company announced the split in September, the Board and senior management team at Agilent Technologies impress me for giving their shareholders and employees such a great Christmas gift. As announced, this great company will split into two separate units; one focused on life sciences and the other on test and measurement. I like
Becoming & Staying a Leader: the Agilent Way Read More »
It used to bother me when employees with 20 years of experience were referred to as people with 2 years of experience ten times. I thought experience mattered – and it does – only not in the way that I thought. I now appreciate that in most professions breadth of experience matters more. I concede
20 Years of Experience Read More »
Last month Google celebrated its 15th birthday. Within a very short time, this company has become one of the most valued companies in the world with over 50,000 employees and annual revenues over $55 billion (ttm). Google’s membership in my Million Dollar Club is based on revenue per employee of over $1 million. Membership in
Million Dollar Club Read More »
If the supply chain psychiatrist were to run a word association test, the expected answer to associate with the word registered would be screwed! While this may sound harsh, many OEMs are unknowingly caught in a registration system that has long-term consequences for materials cost. Registration is a process, used by manufacturers, which rewards a
Registered & Screwed Read More »
This blog is for my readers in procurement with home blood pressure gauges. Warning: do not act on this blog if you have high blood pressure or have failed your anger management class! Select a day when your blood pressure is normal and you are in particularly good spirits. Do the following three things: Ask
How to Keep Your Procurement Blood Pressure in Check Read More »
